Browser keeps on Opening New Windows again and again

[Batron]

Thank you for the suggestion.  The default was msn--I changed it to Google to see if it made a difference.  I just tried yahoo also--it still does it. 

[abs2k13]

I have the exact same problem with my HP laptop. I have tried everything and the problem still persists (also in safe mode). Any help on this matter will be really appreciated.

EDIT: Ok, I managed to diagnose and fix the problem temporarily by myself, you maybe having the same problem. For some odd reason, the laptop keyboard is repeatedly sending keycode 172 (which is the Fn key + F5 key) to the system (the keys are not being pressed and they are not stuck either). As a result, the default browser was being opened again and again (apparently Fn+F5 key is a shortcut to opening the browser, everytime the keyboard sends that signal the browser opens). I managed to install MapKeyboard 2.1 from Inchwest and used it to disable the F5 key. As a result, the system now ignores the signal that is being sent by the laptop. This is only a temporary fix, I will have to get the laptop keyboard checked to see what is wrong. I hope this helps you out!

[Batron]

I will look into that--thank you!  Please let me know what you find out with your keyboard.  What a frustrating odd thing!

[Batron]

Last thing I tried....

Went into the Bios / System Configuration/ and Disabled Active Keys Mode.  My laptop seemed to work okay for a couple hours.  I went to check it in the morning and it was back to opening the windows.   They sometimes dont open as fast and sometimes it is the main page refreshing repeatedly...then open windows a lot.  Tried to see if it acted any different w/o mouse or keyboard connected--no difference. 

[Batron]

I figured out one thing that triggers it to happen or to make it stop---unplug the power supply.  I did try a different power supply.  Any suggestions?

[Dunidar]

Hello Batron

I am sorry to hear of the frustrating issue you are having with your browser continuously opening new windows on you. As I understand it you have completed a System Restore although I am unsure if you have completed a Full Factory Reset on your computer. Since you are experiencing a software issue even after the attempts you have made to resolve it I would recommend setting the computer back to Factory. I am including the document titled Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 7). I would recommend that you complete the Factory Reset to resolve this issue as it will clear EVERYTHING from your computer.

Be warned this will erase EVERYTHING from your computer and put it back to how you got it out of the box.

I would like to thank you for posting on the HP Forums and hope this resolves your issue. Have a great day!

[Batron]

Thank you for  the response.  I did what you recommend already.  The problem still exists. 

[Dunidar]

Hello Batron

I am sorry to hear that the Recovery did not resolve the browser issue. Now I have been doing some asking around as this is an odd issue and have some suggestions from a few people that I think we should try.

@Big_Davesuggests the following:

"Be sure that the laptop is up to speed with bios, drivers and firmware updates. Update the UEFI diagnostic and then run a full set of hardware diagnostics.

If the firmware diagnostics were not installed then it may may too late to correct HD issues.

If the OP has the HP recovery media on DVD or USB then backup the critical data then run the below utility. Then try a full factory restore.  Be sure that the PC is in Legacy mode.

Cyberlink recovery CD for hard drives. When you have created this CD, insert it into the system. Then power up and wait until you see a window with a green check mark.  Then remove the CD and insert your first Recovery DVD.  Restart the PC and go through the process of installing the Operating System again."

This is sound advise and I would suggest you follow his lead in this. I have also a suggestion from @erico to try the following:

"I had numerous clients in the past who had the same issue. It was  almost always a virus\malware or adware. The crux of the matter was that the clients were people who used a free antivirus solution (AVG free or the like)  to save money and inadvertently clicked on a email a "friend" sent them or a questionable web page.

 Consider suggesting that the OP boots their PC\Notebook to Windows in Safe Mode( with networking) and then  online to ESET.com. Suggest that they use ESET's online scanner and give it permission to quarantine and then delete anything "suspect" that it finds."

If Big_Dave's suggestion does not help you should try erico's next.

Lets see where these suggestions lead us. If you could keep me updated as to the results I would thankful. I would like to thank you for posting on the HP Forums. Have a great day!

[dave_jj]

This appears to be a problem with HP laptops because I've gone through this myself and it started happening again.

For the record, I've doe factory reinstall, different operating systems (Linux, Windows 8, Windows 7), and from fresh installs it does it.

There is something obviously wrong with some of these HP laptops.

I even replaced the keyboard.  

Problem persists, and it makes the laptop uselss.  Not sure if anyone mentioned that but you cannot do ANYTHING on it.

Tried the keymapping software to disable F1-F12, same.

Key that shows being pressed using a utility is M, but disable the M key does nothing.

Not impressed with HP or letting this issue go unanswered (I saw multiple posts on this forum with the same problem).

[rrozel]

My wife is having the same problem on her laptop.

I've done everything that you would normally do when something like this happens. I've run every virus checker, malware checker, etc. and I've done clean install.

This thread describes the exact problem I'm having with it. It is also an HP (I think pavillion).

The ONLY thing that makes any sense is some kind of issue with the power - maybe a short - somehow repeatedly sending a keystroke.

This theory is supported by the fact that she had to get a new power cord for it recently - some generic brand from Best Buy that cost $50 - and the issue didn't start until AFTER that new power cord. Nothing else new when it started.

I've tried disabling the F5 key, but no dice. Any suggestions?

- Ryan