Is this caused by a virus?

HI

Could be a combination of things from a corrupt icon cache to malware so to possibly cover both options try the following.

1. Download and install XP Powertoys adn only at this point install TweakUI, once installed run it and goto Repair and choose the Rebuid Icons option and click Repair Now ( note any custom icons or positions will possibly be removed and reverted to default )

Are you using any 3rd party skining software ie. WindowBlinds?


2. To rule out malware then you will have to follow the below guide.

Please follow our standard cleaning procedures which are necessary for us to provide you support. Also there are steps included for installing, running, and posting HijackThis logs as attachments.

• Run ALL the steps in this Sticky thread READ & RUN ME FIRST Before Asking for Support
• Make sure you check version numbers and get all updates.
• Very Important: Make sure you tell us the results from running the tutorial...was anything found? Were you unable to complete any of the scans?...Were you unable to download any of the tools?...Did you do the on-line scans as suggested? etc.

• After doing ALL of the above you still have a problem make sure you have booted to normal mode and run the steps in the below link to properly use HijackThis and attach a log:

Downloading, Installing, and Running HijackThis

Make sure you also rename HijackThis.exe as suggested in the procedures. Use analyse.exe for the new name. This is very important due to some new infections going around.


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• When you return to make your next post, make sure you attach the following logs and that you have run these scans in the following order too:
  • 
    [*]runkeys.txt - the log from GetRunKey.bat
    [*]newfiles.txt - the log from ShowNew.bat
  • CounterSpy - ONLY IF you were not able to run Windows Defender
  • Bitdefender - from step 6
  • Panda Scan - from step 6
  • HijackThis

NOTE: You can only attach 3 files in a single message so it will require that you use two messages to attach all of these logs!