desktop with idx files

I have a problem with my desktop being filled with files that have a .idx extension. The names are like CAB1.idx, CAB2.idx... CAE1.idx. They are 32 bytes long. If I delete them, they reappear within a few minutes. I looked at several with a hex editor. The contents start with the characters "TIDX". The rest of the data are binary zeros. I used MSCONFIG to stop everthing that I was certain could be stopped. The only things that I did not stop were SYSTRAY and INCD. Any ideas as to where they are coming from? System is WIN98 with all fixes applied. The next thing I plan to do is run SPYBOT and ADAWARE. Also, HIJACK this. Thank you, Vince Radice

 

vhradice,

I'd run all the spyware/adware programs you list in your post and see what you find. Run HiJackThis last, as SpyBot and AdAware will weed out the junk first. You can also try the trial subscription to Registry Mechanic to see if you have a Registry problem.

Hope this helps, good luck, Dragon Flyer aka Michael

 

Yes please include your HijackThis Log as it's very important, BUT run the spyware/adware programs first.

 

I don't know what fixed the problem but it is gone. It looks like there were 1000+ files with the idx extension created on the desktop. I found this by looking at the desktop in Windows Explorer. What was happening was that as I deleted files off of the desktop, this allowed room for more to show up. After I deleted all of the files in Explorer, no more showed up. It looks like all were created at the same time but did not show up as the desktop was full. There are still 2 questions - what were they for and what created them. These will probably never get answered unless it happens again. Thanks for the ideas. Vince Radice