OK the log does not look to bad - could you check that the tray icons are not just hidden
Download and run Puran Disc Defragmenter, when installed select boot defrag with check disc. Once completed let me know of any remaining problems
All the duplicate messages were as a result of it initially not showing that the posts had been sent - it appeared the page would close right before the posts were sent. Then, later, all of a sudden they appeared. May be a problem at my end. No idea. But I didn’t do it out of boredom (at time of night). Any event, then had to work today and just able to get back to machine.
I must appear retarded essexboy, but please, how do I know if they are hidden or how do I ‘unhide’ them? I have no clue.
I will get on with the other things you suggested now. Thanks.
Right click the taskbar and select properties. The first screenshot will appear, select customise
Then you will see this screen, this is where you show or hide icons
OK, looks like you have been able to do the unthinkable, I’m up and running and no more error messages from Visual. The icons came back after the defrag thing. I thank you! I’m left with two questions please:
-
Will I still see the problems in the temp files when I do an Avast scan you think? And if I do, and Avast can’t move or repair, should I worry?
-
At one time, on Pondus’ advise, we ran Superantispyware. When I try to remove that program (via windows control panel) I first get a message whether I also want to remove logs and quarantined items - if I say ‘yes’ to that the entire screen goes weird and feezes up and I have to force a shut down. What best to do with that? Leave it alone?
Thanks again essexboy!
Andre’
Reference Superantispyware - use Revo uninstaller on that http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html get the free version
For the temps set IE to clear all temp files on closing:
Go to internet options > Advanced > security and select clear files on browser closing
I will remove my tools now and give some recommendations, but I would like you to run for 24 hours or so and come back if you have any problems
Now the best part of the day ----- Your log now appears clean 
A good workman always cleans up after himself so…The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:
Run OTL
[*]Under the Custom Scans/Fixes box at the bottom, paste in the following
:Commands [resethosts] [purity] [emptytemp] [EMPTYFLASH] [Reboot]
[*]Then click the Run Fix button at the top
[*]Let the program run unhindered, reboot the PC when it is done
.
Click Start > Run and copy/paste the following bolded text into the Run box and click OK:
ComboFix /Uninstall
Run OTL and hit the cleanup button. It will remove all the programmes we have used plus itself. MBAM can be uninstalled via control panel add/remove. But it is a useful tool to keep
We will now confirm that your hidden files are set to that, as some of the tools I use will change that
[*]Click Start.
[*]Open My Computer.
[*]Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
[*]Select the View Tab.
[*]Under the Hidden files and folders heading select Do not show hidden files and folders.
[]Click Yes to confirm.
[]Click OK.
http://users.telenet.be/bluepatchy/miekiemoes/images/javaicon.gif
Your Java is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malware can use to infect your system. Please follow these steps to remove older version of Java components and upgrade the application. Beware it is NOT supported for use in 9x or ME and probably will not install in those systems
Upgrading Java:
[*]Download the latest version of Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE)JRE 6 Update 21.
[*]Click the “Download” button to the right.
[*]Select your Platform and check the box that says: “I agree to the Java SE Runtime Environment 6 License Agreement.”.
[*]Click on Continue.
[*]Click on the link to download Windows Offline Installation (jre-6u21-windows-i586-p.exe) and save it to your desktop. Do NOT use the Sun Download Manager…
[*]Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.
[*]Go to Start > Control Panel, double-click on Add/Remove programs and remove all older versions of Java.
[*]Check any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE) in the name.
[*]Click the Remove or Change/Remove button.
[*]Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java version.
[*]Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
[*]Then from your desktop double-click on the download to install the newest version.(Vista users, right click on the jre-6u21-windows-i586-p.exe and select “Run as an Administrator.”)
.
To manually create a new Restore Point
[*]Go to Control Panel and select System and Maintenance
[*]Select System
[*]On the left select Advance System Settings and accept the warning if you get one
[*]Select System Protection Tab
[*]Select Create at the bottom
[*]Type in a name i.e. Clean
[*]Select Create
Now we can purge the infected ones
[*]Go back to the System and Maintenance page
[*]Select Performance Information and Tools
[*]On the left select Open Disk Cleanup
[*]Select Files from all users and accept the warning if you get one
[*]In the drop down box select your main drive i.e. C
[*]For a few moments the system will make some calculations
[*]Select the More Options tab
[*]In the System Restore and Shadow Backups select Clean up
[*]Select Delete on the pop up
[]Select OK
[]Select Delete
You are now done
SPRING CLEAN
Download and run Puran Disc Defragmenter
Now that you are clean, to help protect your computer in the future I recommend that you get the following free programmes:
[*]SpywareBlaster to help prevent spyware from installing in the first place.
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7729/mbamicontw5.gif
Malwarebytes. Run weekly to keep your system clean
It is critical to have both a firewall and anti virus to protect your system and to keep them updated.
To keep your operating system up to date visit
[*]Microsoft Windows Update
To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read our little guide How did I get infected in the first place ?
Keep safe 
Thank you for all this. I’ll get to that cleaning assignment this evening. Many, many thanks. I assume that with regard your last comment / recommendation on additional installations, I keep Avast as well…considering your pedigree I’m assuming that; but if wrong, please drop me a line still. Owe you big time.
Absolutely - been using Avast now for donkeys years with nary an infection ;D
Right, thought so…
There are several other free AV programmes - but I would not recommend AVG as it is a bit iffy in my experience
Struggling to find my way with the following instruction:
We will now confirm that your hidden files are set to that, as some of the tools I use will change that
•Click Start.
•Open My Computer.
•Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
•Select the View Tab.
•Under the Hidden files and folders heading select Do not show hidden files and folders.
•Click Yes to confirm.
•Click OK.
After I click start I see ‘computer’ in the panel which lists the drives but I don’t see the follow-on steps you mention. Help?
Alternative method - go to control panel > folder options then follow the rest :
•Select the View Tab.
•Under the Hidden files and folders heading select Do not show hidden files and folders.
•Click Yes to confirm.
•Click OK.
Major problem when I did the Java correction thing. Download froze up, machine froze up. Internet connection gone. Had to restart and restore to previous point. Restore point was earlier step with revo uninstaller. Have internet back. But back to square one on the icons notification area. Power icon is greyed-out in the pop-up box and cannot be checked. Not visble either. Scare of my life. What to do to get a stable status going again please. Will leave the ‘last steps’ cleaning till later but would like to have that stable status. Can you help me with this please. Thanks.
Did a Java download of the latest version, simple button at the java download website, rebooted, and the power icon is back. But nervousness around what happened earlier remains. Gonna crash now, but would appreciate you giving it some thought please. Thanks.
Hah, I have repeated the entire process of cleaning you recommended once more (considering the restore point). Except for the Java thing of course. All appears to be ok. The java website under help has an action “uninstall older versions” but they they also note there may be dependencies with the older versions for certain components. Sounds scary to me. I have left it alone. I now have the latest java version installed (version 6, update 22). What do you think? Thanks.
That is a problem I come across with Java sometimes - it seems to throw a wobbly for no apparent reason. Hence I no longer have Java on my system
But leave as is, if you are feeling brave then you could try Javara http://raproducts.org/wordpress/ to remove the old java
So how are things now ?
Thanks. I don’t feel so brave so I prefer the status quo. Let me run it for another day or so and I’d like to get back to you then.
;D
Nothing urgent, but by the way, that spywareblaster thing I find a bit more complex to set up and understand. Is there a brief guide anywhere available to understand it better? It seems to pre-set what it protects against. What if tomorrow some crazy develops a new virus - how does protection get implemented for that? Find it befuddling…