Malware likely causing browser problems

Q: I have a computer running Windows XP Professional and have a new phenomenon occurring when I Google. If I enter a query into Google, I will get the Google listing of potential sites to go to. If I click on any one of the sites, I would expect to go to that site.

Instead, the site that comes up is an advertisement — many times for eBay, but always an advertisement. To get to the site I have to highlight and copy the Web site address and paste it into a new tab.

There must be a way to stop this so that if I click on the Web site, it directs me there and not to an eBay advertisement!

Bob Cowan, Seattle

A: My guess is that you have a piece of malware on your computer that is redirecting your browser. You don't say what browser you're using or anything about programs to protect you from malware. I'd recommend you first try a different browser.

I strongly recommend you look into installing an anti-malware program.

Q: I run Windows 98 using Outlook Express for e-mail. I get "Windows cannot find MailClnt.exe. This program is needed for opening file of type EarthLink Mail Message."

S. Hackendahl

A: MailClnt.exe is a program file for the EarthLink e-mail application. The error message means that the e-mail is associated with the EarthLink program but Windows can't find the application. That means either the application is missing or corrupted, or the Windows registry is in error.

Rather than editing the registry, which can be complicated and potentially risky, I'd recommend that you first try uninstalling the EarthLink program, assuming it is installed. Also, reinstall Outlook Express.

Q: I have noticed some items that appear in my Windows directory (I am using Windows XP) that I do not know why they are there, or if they can be deleted safely. I have at this time 27 of these items that say "$Nt uninstall." I also have 112 files in the same Windows file that start with "KB_ _ _ _ _ .log." I hope that you can tell me if it's OK to delete all of these things.

John Ulle

A: Delete away — so long as you're sure you're not going to want to uninstall your most recent Windows service pack. That's what the first set of files are for.

The others are log files. So if you're not going to need the information they contain for any troubleshooting, feel free to dispose of them.

Q: I run Windows XP Home Edition with all the current upgrades. Whenever I try to e-mail my friend (she runs a Mac), or she e-mails me, we both get this Winmail.dat file instead. I've tried jpg, bitmap and gif files. Sometimes they work, but usually we just get Winmail.dat instead. This file can't be opened. What do you think?

Todd Vining

A: The Winmail.dat file contains formatting information for messages composed in Microsoft's Rich Text Formatting (RTF) format. It can't be opened by other e-mail programs or applications. The workaround is to set your e-mail program to use plain text format. I would need to know what e-mail program you're using to provide details on how to do this.

Questions for Patrick Marshall may be sent by e-mail to pmarshall@seattletimes.com or pgmarshall@pgmarshall.net, or by mail at Q&A/Technology, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111. More columns at www.seattletimes.com/columnists.