Hi
When I turn on my computer and it gets to the desktop, the screen will flash and as a rule the icons will all be there. I have recently had (two times) where the screen would flash and there would be no icons. The mouse would work OK and the toolbar is there, so I’m able to restart the computer. So far after restarting the icons are there after the screen flashes. I am using version 4.7 and my OS is winxp home edition. Any ideas on what could cause this?
Thanks Geo.
Did you fully scanned with avast?
Which programs do you have automatically run at startup?
Any other security programs?
Thanks for help
Yes have run full scans. Comodo firewall, AVG anti-spyware, Adaware se, Spybot & Spy blaster. Can not remember how to get to startup screen to tell what else running
Other security based software do you have that might block new startup entries, e.g. Spybot S&D (TeaTimer), AdAware (AdWatch), SpySweeper, Spyware Doctor (StartUpGuard), PrevX, WinPatrol, ProcessGuard, etc.?
Are you using TeaTimer?
Try Startup Delayer.
This freeware controls the windows startup (Windows 98\Me\2k\XP\Vista).
I just checked my startup using the system configuration utility. Other than the avast program the only other security programs that start are Comodo and avg anti-spy. The Spybot S&d doesn’t say anything about tea time, so I don’t think I have it. This computer has very few programs installed. I’m wondering if there may not be enough memory as I only have 512mb installed.
If you have S&D you have Teatimer, check the resident protection Tab, that is teatimer. It can block new startup entries and could be killing the avast icon, ashDisp.exe.
Ok found tea timer in the help. It states that is in the tools button. But there is no tool button the page. I might just uninstall it and get adaware 2007 On my old computer after running that one I never found anything when I ran spybot.
I would suggest giving adaware a miss also they are comparatively lightweight when compared to other anti-spyware tools.
If you haven’t already got this software (freeware) try one, download, install, update and run it periodically.
SUPERantispyware On-Demand only in free version. Or AVG anti-spyware (formerly Ewido) Resident scanner during trial On-Demand after trial ends. Or Spyware Terminator Resident scanner.
Welcome to the forums.
Ok I took your advise and installed Super Anti Spyware. I then removed Adaware SE and Spybot S&D. I then ran a full scan with Super AS it found 7 tracking cookies. I then ran a fast scan with AVG Anti Spyware and it found 21 tracking cookies. Anyway we will see what happens. Thanks again for all your help
- Check the option in the Appearance tab of settings.
or - Repair your avast installation through Control Panel.
or - Make a link to ashdisp.exe in your startup folder
or - Add the path to ashDisp.exe into a value named avast! in the Windows Registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
See picture here: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=26155.msg213891#msg213891
If that does not help, please, uninstall, boot, install again, boot.
No problem, welcome to the forums.
I wouldn’t be unduly concerned by tracking cookies, many anti-spyware (AS) programs make a big deal about them, when they are a negligible risk and then more privacy than security and can only be viewed by the originating site.
You can set your browser to remove cookies when you close the browser and or periodically clear cookies out. Cookies are however, beneficial for some sites and their removal may mean lost site preferences, etc.
Personally I don’t have SAS (Preferences, Scanning Control, Scan for tracking cookies) look for tracking cookies, preferring to manage cookies myself.