latest Firefox update brings up Ask.com for any search

[Grumpus]

Ubufox, the add-on for Firefox in Ubuntu places the ask.com search engine file in an ubufox folder. You can remove that one item and it should stop.
Doing a search will help as there's the library file and the active file, same for some of the other search engines. It seems that even though you use the "Manage Search Engines" panel the search files are still in the system though most of them, once removed from the list, stay inactive the ask.com files apparently do not stay inactive unless removed completely from the system

[Guest]

To the ASK >> Google guru... thanks so much!!

[Guest]

Thanks a lot, KC8YCZ and KD8CMV.
I've just spent an hour at my computer to remove the ASK crap! until you don't change the ask word with google nothing changes.
All the best,
Adrian B. / Ottawa, ON, Canada

[ralphchas]

Search brings up Ask.com instead of Google

The answer is in the Advanced Firefox Settings.

My “right click” search [terms] was fine last night. It opened just fine in a new tab and searched via Google.
But this morning it went to Ask.com instead of Google.

So I did what I always do when I have a computer problem. I try to fix it myself and when I can’t, I call for my hubby [company computer guy – literally]!

I have pictures (PNGs) to go with the explanation of what to do so it’s easier to follow.

We did the usual routine checking of “tool options” [found nothing].
We then went to our control panel. We found and removed the “Ask Toolbar” from our Remove and Add Programs. Still, nothing.

Next we opened a new browser window, and into the address bar we typed, “about:config”
In short, once the list was brought up, we searched for anything with ASK [that refered to the ask.com site] or ask.com, removed it [modify] AND replaced it with Google.

Problem solved!

Directions:
Upon opening the list, you’ll see: Preference Name, Status, Type and Value.
Under “Preference Name”, search for: Keyword.URL
Under “Value” it will say, http://toolbar.ask.com/toolbarv/askRedi ... t=&gc=1&q=
Change that by right clicking on it and choosing “Modify”, and changing it to:
http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&q=

Before Pic: http://kd8cmv.us/change-aboutconfig_keyword1_found.png
After Modified: http://kd8cmv.us/change-aboutconfig_key ... hanged.png

Next, in the filter: type in “ask” and look for anything that says ask.com to bring up a smaller, more refined list.

Under “Preference Name” look for “extensions.snipit.chromeURL”.
It will show: http://toolbar.ask.com/toolbarv/askRedi ... t=&gc=1&q={sear...
Highlight it, and click “Reset”. This will erase the “Value”. Leave it blank. If it doesn’t, then click “Modify” to remove it manually, click “ok”.
(*note, after closing your about.config window, it will be totally removed from the list)

Before and After: http://kd8cmv.us/change-aboutconfig_key ... emoved.png

Next, in the filter, type in “browser” and under the “Preference Name” look for:
“Browser.search.defaultenginename”
For the “Value”, it will show ASK, “Modify” it so it says: Google

Pic: http://kd8cmv.us/change-aboutconfig_key ... odifed.png

Then under “Preference Name” find: “browser.search.order.1” and “Modify” it from ASK to Google

Pic: http://kd8cmv.us/change-aboutconfig_keyword8_modify.png

Finally, find: “browser.search.selectedEngine” and “Modify” it from ASK to Google

Pic: http://kd8cmv.us/change-aboutconfig_keyword9_modify.png

I hope this helps everyone.

KC8YCZ and KD8CMV

I followed your instructions (for which many thx) to the letter. Prob is when I close the about:config, many of my cvhanges are not saved and when I open it again. I have the same original wrong things in there. How can I avoid this and finally fix this thing which is driving me mad! Can you reply to me at ** e-mail address removed by moderator ** I am not a regular poster here and dont want to miss your reply. Many thx.

[Dartman]

Ralph,

I removed your email address because we do not provide email support. The purpose of a forum is so everyone can help at one universal place. More importantly, spammers like to harvest email addresses from public forums. It's also against forum rules to post your email address in public view.

[Edgar choobar]

Helped a lot thanks people.
All i did was type in 'about:config' on firefix clicked that i knew what i was doing then in the 'filter bar' typed in ask and right clicked and 'reset' most of the bold ones.

[Jane453q4t534]

Thank you guys for the assistance. I know what happened to me - I installed a toolbar addon that did ***NOT*** say it was related to Ask.com but it obviously WAS. I deleted the toolbar but when my crappy dialup connection was overloaded and couldn't open something, I'd get an ask.com search page. It was driving me mad.

[Imran Khan]

This is the simplest to remove ASK.com from serach and defaulting google to location bar

In location url type about: config
Insearch type "ASK" You will see that search engine settings has been directed to ask.com Now if you are wondering what should be the correct settings, then stop worrying! Simply right click and select "reset" You will get the default alues that directs to google!

[Shirish]

Thnx that really helped !!! I never of anything like about:config!!! By the way cudnt sleep the whole night I certainly have got tensed as in the number of things i have remaining to learn every virus(or may i call it so) teaches me something new..
Thanx PPl ...
God Bless

[LIMPET235]

Shirish,
I split your post off to here,
> viewtopic.php?f=38&t=1296725
as it was off topic.
Ta mucherly.

[Guest]

Hey guys, thanks for this, solved my problem with the ask thing. however, i also have another problem which started happening at the same time, i can no longer access www.microsoft.com did anyone else have this problem?

[paulatinker]

Service Pack 2 I might add.

I need help on finding articles.

[AlexEJohnson]

TO FIX:

-type 'about:config' in address bar
-(click through warning if shows up)
-search 'ask.com' in the filter search bar
-right click each item that shows up one by one and select 'Reset'

worked for me, seems to be the easiest way!

[cambr33zy]

OMFG Thank you, worked like a charm!

[kbs]

To fix, put 'about:config' in the address bar to enter Firefox's configuration page (I don't think you can get at this from any of the menus.) Look out for The 'keyword.URL' setting, and change it back to one of the recommendations shown on this page http://kb.mozillazine.org/Keyword.URL