What on earth is this?

[charlesr]

There's "something" top left of my screen. It's there on bootup and it's selectable in that when I click on it, the border goes dark (and then light again if I click again). I can't move or right click it.

I can't see anything weird in my process list.

[abigsmurf]

Looks like a static window to me, if it's an explorer window it wouldn't show up in the processes.

Have you done a hijackthis check for dodgy looking startup processes?

[charlesr]

/me waits for someone to say "your recycle bin"....

Nope not done hijackthis yet.

[abigsmurf]

Duh, it's clearly your desktop

[NemesiS]

You tried right clicking on it charles, to see if you get any options? Some download managers shove daft little icons in the corners of the screen but i don't think that is what yours is.

But it could Caused by ATI Catalyst Control Centre if ou have an ATI card


Open your catalyst control centre and on the preferences tab untick 'enable system tray icon'

[charlesr]

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 10:03:07, on 02/06/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\bgsvcgen.exe
C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BlueSoleilCS.exe
C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BsMobileCS.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InterVideo\DeviceService\DevSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\CTDevSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\ekrn.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\RaMaint.exe
C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LogMeIn.exe
C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LMIGuardian.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Megatec\UPSilon 2000\RupsMon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SQUEEZ~1\server\Bin\MSWIN3~1\mysqld.ex e
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\TVersity\Media Server\MediaServer.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\DVD\ULCDRSvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Megatec\UPSilon 2000\USBMate.exe
C:\Program Files\Canon\CAL\CALMAIN.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LogMeInSystray.exe
C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LMIGuardian.exe
C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\egui.exe
C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BtTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BsHelpCS.exe
C:\Program Files\SugarSync\SugarSyncManager.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\Creative Media Lite\CTZDetec.exe
C:\Program Files\SlySoft\AnyDVD\AnyDVDtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\Software Update 3\SoftAuto.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\DiskCheckup\DiskCheckup.exe
C:\Program Files\Polar\WebSync\WebSync.exe
C:\Program Files\Megatec\UPSilon 2000\Monw32.exe
C:\Program Files\SqueezeCenter\SqueezeTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.ntsc-uk.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogMeIn GUI] "C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LogMeInSystray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UVS11 Preload] C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio 11\uvPL.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [egui] "C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\egui.exe" /hide /waitservice
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BtTray] "C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BtTray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SugarSync] "C:\Program Files\SugarSync\SugarSyncManager.exe" -startInTray
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTZDetec.exe] C:\Program Files\Creative\Creative Media Lite\CTZDetec.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Nero MediaHome] "C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Nero MediaHome\NeroMediaHome.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AnyDVD] C:\Program Files\SlySoft\AnyDVD\AnyDVDtray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SoftAuto.exe] "C:\Program Files\Creative\Software Update 3\SoftAuto.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: DiskCheckup.lnk = C:\Program Files\DiskCheckup\DiskCheckup.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Polar WebSync.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Rupsmon Daemon.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: SqueezeCenter Tray Tool.lnk = C:\Program Files\SqueezeCenter\SqueezeTray.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Send by Bluetooth - C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\TransSend\IE\tsinfo.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Send via &Message... - C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\TransSend\IE\tssms.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2iexp.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2iexp.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {040F4385-8DAD-4306-94BF-B8291D841FAE} (USBAPTester Class) - http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/sys.../usbaptest.cab
O16 - DPF: {05CA9FB0-3E3E-4B36-BF41-0E3A5CAA8CD8} (Office Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=58813
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262E} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...sysreqlab3.cab
O16 - DPF: {4E62C4DE-627D-4604-B157-4B7D6B09F02E} (Egg Money Manager Digital Safe) - https://moneymanager.egg.com/Pinsafe...nttracking.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/wind...?1216112946375
O16 - DPF: {680285A8-96D3-43DA-9D3D-51DD987D0B77} (NeroVersionCheckerControl Control) - http://www.nero.com/doc/NeroVersionCheckerControl.cab
O16 - DPF: {6C269571-C6D7-4818-BCA4-32A035E8C884} (Creative Software AutoUpdate) - http://www.creative.com/softwareupda...01/CTSUEng.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr...?1216122615906
O16 - DPF: {74DBCB52-F298-4110-951D-AD2FF67BC8AB} (NVIDIA Smart Scan) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...aSmartScan.cab
O16 - DPF: {E06E2E99-0AA1-11D4-ABA6-0060082AA75C} -
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://www.creative.com/softwareupda...5106/CTPID.cab
O16 - DPF: {FD0B6769-6490-4A91-AA0A-B5AE0DC75AC9} (Performance Viewer Activex Control) - https://secure.logmein.com/activex/ractrl.cab?lmi=100
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\skype4com.dll
O23 - Service: B's Recorder GOLD Library General Service (bgsvcgen) - B.H.A Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\bgsvcgen.exe
O23 - Service: BlueSoleilCS - IVT Corporation - C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BlueSoleilCS.exe
O23 - Service: BsHelpCS - IVT Corporation - C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BsHelpCS.exe
O23 - Service: BsMobileCS - IVT Corporation - C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BsMobileCS.exe
O23 - Service: Capture Device Service - InterVideo Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InterVideo\DeviceService\DevSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Canon Camera Access Library 8 (CCALib8) - Canon Inc. - C:\Program Files\Canon\CAL\CALMAIN.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.exe
O23 - Service: CT Device Query service (CTDevice_Srv) - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\CTDevSrv.exe
O23 - Service: ESET HTTP Server (EhttpSrv) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\EHttpSrv.exe
O23 - Service: ESET Service (ekrn) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\ekrn.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: LogMeIn Maintenance Service (LMIMaint) - LogMeIn, Inc. - C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\RaMaint.exe
O23 - Service: LogMeIn - LogMeIn, Inc. - C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LogMeIn.exe
O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Rupsmon - Mega System Technologies, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Megatec\UPSilon 2000\RupsMon.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia. - C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
O23 - Service: SqueezeMySQL - Unknown owner - C:\PROGRA~1\SQUEEZ~1\server\Bin\MSWIN3~1\mysqld.ex e
O23 - Service: SqueezeCenter (squeezesvc) - SlimDevices - A Logitech Company - C:\Program Files\SqueezeCenter\server\squeezecenter.exe
O23 - Service: TVersityMediaServer - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\TVersity\Media Server\MediaServer.exe
O23 - Service: Ulead Burning Helper (UleadBurningHelper) - Ulead Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\DVD\ULCDRSvr.exe
O23 - Service: USBMate - Mega Corp. - C:\Program Files\Megatec\UPSilon 2000\USBMate.exe
O23 - Service: Windows Live Setup Service (WLSetupSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\installer\WLSetupSvc.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 11844 bytes

[charlesr]

I have an Nvidia GeForce and yeah, I can't right click it.

I think I have problems. There are quite a few applications in my add/remove list that refuse to uninstall. Ulead says: 1628: Failed to complete installation. Lots of others give the message attached and a search shows no sign of the files it's talking about.

[abigsmurf]

Nothing that really stands out as being malware

O4 - Global Startup: Polar WebSync.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Rupsmon Daemon.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: SqueezeCenter Tray Tool.lnk = C:\Program Files\SqueezeCenter\SqueezeTray.exe

I think those are related to some logitech radios but they're the only things that stand out as being likely to cause that. Probably best not to remove them in a permenent way.

All the entries in HijackThis look like things you would've chosen to install

[charlesr]

Ah. could be the polar websync. Forgot I'd installed that a couple of weeks ago. It's for my wife's heartrate monitor watch. You put it on a magic usb pad and it downloads all the GPS data and sticks it in a web calendar so you know how far you've run etc.

[charlesr]

Yeah, that was it. It's gone now I've uninstalled that.

abigthankyou to abigsmurf

[Brad]

But now you don't know your wife's heartrate!

[charlesr]

It's on her laptop. Safe!

Still don't know why I can't uninstall my stuff though. My current windows xp install has been the fastest and most stable one I've ever had, so I'm loathe to start all over again.

[kernow]

Try this - http://www.revouninstaller.com/

I've only just installed it and it prised out my old apps that refused to uninstall normally.

I got it from this useful list of other windows apps.

http://lifehacker.com/5271828/lifehacker-pack-2009-our-list-of-essential-free-windows-downloads

Also installed foxit reader as acroread was annoying me (seriously, 138MB now?) and notepad++

[abigsmurf]

notepad++ is a godsend for coding. Shame it crashes a fair bit

[charlesr]

Already tried revo. I get the same error message. Thanks though.