Well, it looks like it is hard-coded into the archive/index.php file. So, maybe you should download a new copy from vb.com and replace that file.

I re-uploaded both global.php and index.php from my 3.6.9 download but no change so I did a Diagnostics - Suspect File Versions and it said "File does not contain expected contents" for both files which is a bit odd.
I may install 3.6.10 in few hours, see if that sorts it out.

Did you reupload them from a fresh downloaded copy or just from what you had on your computer? (Maybe the one on your computer was edited at some point?)

I used the original at first but then downloaded a new copy, still the same.

I have been a little suspicious of my upgrade from 3.6.8 pl2 to 3.6.9

It sounds to me like something (some sort of SEO mod?) is changing the url then. How about your htaccess file? Could it be set to change the url?

I cleared it out but no change

--------------- Added [DATE]1209266817[/DATE] at [TIME]1209266817[/TIME] ---------------

Well i've updated to 3.6.10 and still no change. Maybe time for a support ticket.

This has nothing to do with vBulletin version or an installed modification.

It depends on the server configuration which type of URL is used. It doesn't make a difference which method is used as they have exactly the same result.

Good to know Marco. Thanks for the info!