weird little but annoying problem

evanjm · Jun 17, 2010

specs first: Acer Aspire 5315 (-2326) with Intel Celeron CPU processor and Vista Home Basic (32 bit).

Why would my desktop items suddenly move around whenever I reboot? I'm not talking about program/file icons but rather the clock and calender on the right hand side of my desktop. It's a section I never touch--just a clock, calender, and image of the month (photo for calender). Now, suddenly, when I start up the computer, these things appear on top of one another or rearranged. It's odd, but irritating to me now. I can find no mention of this anywhere online. Some people have issues with rearranged icons, etc., such as in vertical vs. horizontal rows, etc. etc. But not random movements of utilities, etc. Anyway. Any suggestion would help. Thanks,

Evanjm :confused:

richc46 · Jun 17, 2010

I think the problem may be related to your system specs. Can we have full system specs?

evanjm · Jun 17, 2010

Wow. Thanks for the quick reply. That was cool. Anyway, I don't know what specs would make a difference. I mentioned that it was an Acer Aspire 3515-2326 with an Intel Celeron Processor (550) and Vista Home Basic (32bit). Besides this, it mentions a "service pack 2," whatever that is. It has 1 GB RAM, 160 GB HDD, the processor has 2 GHz, 533 MHz FSB, 1 MB L2 cache (??), It also mentions "up to 252 MB Mobile intel graphic media accelerator X3100. Mentions "rating: 2.4 Windows Experience Index." Does any of this help?

Evanjm:huh:

richc46 · Jun 17, 2010

I was focusing on memory, actually. I think that you do not have enough ram. You have the minimum required. Minimum means just enough if everything is perfect. MS says that half that is sufficient, but it really is not, under normal circumstances.

stoneys-nutz · Jun 18, 2010

Hello evanjm,
I have seen this before, it was caused by malware.
Download this free app, update and scan.

Malwarebytes

You may want to check your file system too.
Open a command prompt as administrator and type sfc/scannow press enter and let it scan, if errors are found you will need to scan again, until clean.

Hope this helps, good luck and post your results.

evanjm · Jun 20, 2010

thanks for the help.

Two quick questions: 1) will this program detect anything that spybot or avg hasn't already found or gotten rid of? Is malwarebytes more specific in this regard, etc.?

And 2) I am extremely paranoid about downloading stuff online because I once downloaded a couple recommended programs that ended up nearly destroying my computer with viruses and other hassles. Things seem fine now, but because of the experience, I am still terrified of downloading ANYTHING, or using personal/bank info, etc. while browsing. It sucks, because some things are so much easier just ordering online. But I'm afraid something could still be on my computer, despite all the cleansing I did. And now that you suggest this is malware related, I am even more worried, because I do regular scans every week, which now, for the most part, only pick up tracking cookies (doubleclick, fastclick, etc.--where I get these, that's another concern). Anyway, sorry for the long spiel. Any response would be appreciated.

-Evanjm

richc46 · Jun 20, 2010

Every malware scan is different, they each have their own defintion of malware. Malwarebytes is suggested by most in this forum as one of the best.

All any member can do is give suggestions and hope that they work. You must make the final choice, its your computer. If I make a suggestion and it does not work, you become the one with the problem. Bottom line, listen to my ideas and those of others and of course your own, and then decide.

evanjm · Jun 20, 2010

just noticed above in this thread that you mentioned not enough ram. I know one GB is not ideal, but not enough for what, specifically? Did you mean generally? Or specifically for this malware scan? Should I get more Ram? I seem to have plenty of memory with the two hard drives. But ram is a tad slow, though no serious problems with it thus far (note: I haven't yet used my computer for what I bought if for, though: very long adobe InDesign files. Because I haven't been able to afford the adobe masterworks set, and the last thing I want is to pay for the three programs just to find out I can't use them without waiting long periods of time, etc. Note: I'm talking about entire books with graphics as well as text, etc. in a single file.

I'm rambling again. I'll try this scanner and see what happens.

Evanjm

richc46 · Jun 20, 2010

Mentioning not enough ram, it is meant in general terms. You cannot operate all the "window dressing features" to their full potential; but what comes with the computer should work. I think it is a fair assumption that big programs, using a lot of ram, will operate in less than ideal conditions.

evanjm · Jun 20, 2010

thanx again, I'll get more ram before I get all the programs I need. I did notice that the same computer (relatively) for the same price now has THREE GBs of RAM. If I would have waited a year, I'd have three times as much.

At any rate, the reason for this reply: How do I create a restore point? I know I have done it before, but I can't seem to find a way to do it (computer, control panel, etc.)???

Thanks again,

-Evanjm

richc46 · Jun 20, 2010

Evanjm,

Thank you, an easy one. LOL

System Restore Point - Create - Windows 7 Forums

For Vista and Windows 7

ilikefree · Jun 20, 2010

Until you buy more ram you could try turning off Aero control panel, personalization,Window color and appearance this is found if you use classic view in control panel.
Malwarebytes is safe to use no need to worry about that

evanjm · Jun 20, 2010

Holy hell!! You were right. Malwarebytes found a list of adware and other things--mostly all attached to a single program: a video player of all things. I guess neither spybot nor avg picked it up. Now I have no video player because it quarantined the whole thing! Oh well. This is exactly why I no longer download things. The video player was recommended.

Thanks for the advice. And I'll try the RAM solution as well, though I'm not sure what that stuff is. I'll turn it off. Is one GB of RAM really that bad? I know people with less.

Thanks for everything y'all, much appreciated.

-Evanjm

richc46 · Jun 20, 2010

You made the right choice. Malwarebytes will not hurt your computer. If used in the future do not use the registry cleaner function.

Glad that you gave it a chance (after a little push) to help solve your problem

evanjm · Jun 20, 2010

Looks like it automatically scanned the registry along with everything else, listing registry keys among the quarantined. Other than that, there's no mention of registry cleaning in the tools, settings, etc. There's three scanner options, but they're not specific. I chose the quick scan because it mentioned that most cases only require quick scan.

-Evanjm

richc46 · Jun 20, 2010

Evanjm

Thank you for the kind words and rep. You cannot overstay your welcome, as you joked. Your presence, here, will always be wanted, whether to learn from us or to share your own expertise.

ilikefree · Jun 20, 2010

If you did a quick scan and found something I would recommend you do a full scan soon to be sure it has found everything it can

richc46 · Jun 20, 2010

evanjm said:
Looks like it automatically scanned the registry along with everything else, listing registry keys among the quarantined. Other than that, there's no mention of registry cleaning in the tools, settings, etc. There's three scanner options, but they're not specific. I chose the quick scan because it mentioned that most cases only require quick scan.

-Evanjm

As mentioned before, it would be wise to do a full scan, at this time

As far as the registry, you are correct, it is just a scan not a cleaner.

jp07764 · Jun 21, 2010

RAM Memory Upgrade: Dell, Mac, Apple, HP, Compaq. USB drives, flash cards, SSD at Crucial.com

Go to this web site to see what memory you need and how much your computer can fit.
Do not have to buy it there. Print it out and go to local store if you want.

Jimmy

evanjm · Jun 23, 2010

Do any of you know how to find out which websites I am getting this adware and tracking cookies from? I want to know where I am picking it all up. I'm talking about the usual stuff AVG and/or Spybot S and D pick up on scans (fastclick, doubleclick, BurstMedia, CoreMetrics, MediaPlex, and Zedo). I go to normal sites but I want to avoid the adware. I can delete history as well on my browser, but I can't figure out how to set it up so that it flags or warns of the cookies as they occur, or better yet, before I enter the site.

I use Google Chrome.

P.S. Why don't people protest or assault these companies that produce this stuff??? :mad:

-Evanjm

weird little but annoying problem

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