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Why do my icons keep disappearing on my desktop?

Why does my desktop keep crashing?

  • Why (and how do I fix it) does my Windows desktop keep crashing? I recently had an issue with some adware, Vundo, and other nefarious computer programs. After resolving that issue, my computer's desktop keeps disappearing. All the icons disappear, the taskbar becomes unusable; the clock even stops updating. When I drag my mouse across the taskbar it gives me the little 'working' icon, for me the hourglass. Windows Task Manager still works fine, and gives me some control. I'm leery about using the System Restore option, in fear of re-introducing the malicious programs I've removed back onto my machine. I'm also cheap, and don't want to take my comp into the repair shop if it's something I can easily do myself.

  • Answer:

    My job consists of cleaning this kind of spyware daily. 99% it is fixable without having to reformat, but you have to do a thorough sweep to make sure all load points are removed. These load points usually consist of startup items and services, BHOs, LSP hooks, Shell hooks, and rootkits. Here's the step by step: - Download http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/programs.php, run a scan, and post your result log here. (to help with the identifying process) - Download http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html and do a full scan. This is probably the best antispyware program I've come across for the tough ones (I usually run this along side Mcafee Anti-spyware but that one costs...Adaware is decent as well though hasn't been as successful lately) - If the problems still persist after running a full scan, open a cmd prompt, and type the following: cd \windows\system32 dir/a/od *.* > %userprofile%\desktop\results.txt - Open results.txt on your desktop and copy paste the more recent items (at the bottom of the list..stuff within the past few months really) here.

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Oh and for those dlls or processes that stick in memory and refuse to be deleted, try unloading them via http://www.freewr.com/freeware.php?download=advanced-process-manipulation&lid=2716. It's one of the few process manipulators that can successfully remove ugly entrenched dlls from memory.

samsara

Backup, format and reinstall is going to be faster than diagnosis.

pompomtom

samsara

It's sometimes imposable to completely remove this junk. It can be VERY time consuming to even try. So, backup, format, and re-install. Once the computer is working again, make sure you have a hardware firewall ($40 Linksys is fine), install Spy-Bot, Ad-Aware. Use OpenDNS, install PeerGuardian. Never use Internet Explorer - get Firefox or Opera. You could also just get a Mac and not have to worry as much about this stuff - spend more time using your computer.

spankbot

Do you have your Windows disks? Or recovery disks? Or recovery partition? Even if you did want to take it to a tech, it sounds like this malware has embedded itself pretty deep into your system. Your best bet is going to be reformatting the PC.

B(oYo)BIES

Vundo was a bitch and a half to remove on my machine -- in fact, I suspect there are still remnants of it somewhere. I recommend you back up all your data in preparation for a reformat/reinstall, and then run System Restore. If Vundo doesn't come back, you're set; otherwise, reformat and reinstall.

Krrrlson

I agree with the others, Backup your important data. I would try the http://www.atribune.org/ccount/click.php?id=4 first just to make sure it was gone. Then if your on a hi-speed connection, boot into safemode with network support, *f8 right after post* you should get the list with safemode listed. If you can boot into safemode try to download http://hitmanpro1.dyndns.org/strider2/link.aspx?name=download it downloads and runs several different anti-malware programs and scans automatically. go ahead and babysit it in case it errors out on one of the installs. after its done in safemode. Restart in normal mode and see if your issue is still there. If it is go ahead and format and reload windows. This is just another step to try before

tradeer33

.....another step to try before losing all your programs that you had installed.

tradeer33

Yuore best bet is to reinstall. Spyware cant usually be cleanly removed and misanthropic spyware writers seem to make an effort to destroy the OS if tampered with. You can probably get away with a repair install, but that might just be prolonging the problem.

damn dirty ape

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