I get that same search page (about:blank) and can't get it off my computer. I bought and used SpySweeper on the advice of CompUSA. It is better but is still there. SpySweeper lets me not use it as my default home page so it's in the background and out of the way.
If you find a way to make it disappear, short of formatting the hard disk, please post it.
Thanks and good luck,