One day A search bar appeared on my task bar at startup. I can't find it in any references to it in any .ini or registry. Has anybody come across this and does anyone know how to get rid of it?

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Before using ANY of these tools, do the following:
Delete TIF’s and history.
Empty your recycle bin.
Disable system Restore.
The reason you need to disable system restore is that many of these pests like to 
hide within the restore files.  These are protected by Windows, therefore the scans 
can’t delete the pests.

Download, install, UPDATE, and run:

Ad-Aware 6.0
Spybot Search & Destroy 1.3
Close ALL browser windows before using these tools.  
These will scan for, detect and remove most variants of spyware/adware/malware. 

To prevent spyware/adware/malware from being installed on your computer, download, 
install UPDATE and run these:

SpywareGuard
Spyware Blaster

SpywareGuard and Spyware Blaster are not scanners.  These  run all the time to prevent 
scumware from being installed on your computer, much like 
an anti-virus program protects from viruses/worms/trojans.

Download UPDATE and run:

CWShredder

Alternate download for CWShredder

Close ALL browser windows before using these tools.  
This program searches for and removes many variants of the CoolWebSearch.

It is important to run ALL of these programs, as each do something different.
(Make sure to use the update feature of these programs often.) 

When finished, 
Turn system Restore back on if you wish.

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If you're referring to Home Search Assistant, download and run this fix, currently 
at version 2.37: 
HSRemove 2.37 

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