Icon Cache seems to be not working in Windows 7

[kevindd992002]

kevin,
see post #30

I will try your instructions this coming weekend, sorry have been caught up with work.

Might I suggest an easy test? Perform a clean start and make sure it isn't an application conflict. If no change, also suggest boot without AV active. Many of todays AV programs want to have a hand in everything. Many (if not all) AV's will not allow you to remove from startup using the clean start/msconfig method.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

A Guy

Will try this also. I'm not so sure if the cause is my AV because I only use Microsoft Security Essentials which is very lightweight anyway.

 

[kevindd992002]

sfc gives you a clean bill of health.

this leaves us with:
1. some wonder program is causing the problem,
2. too many programs running in background and/or at startup time,
3. malware.

The least effort for you is to follow the procedure I give, more work for me but easy for you.

Install CCleaner:
CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

list of STARTUP PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Windows tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept Startup.txt as file name | SAVE button

list of SCHEDULED TASKS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Scheduled Tasks tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
enter Scheduled Tasks as File name | Save button

List of INSTALLED PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept install.txt as File name | Save button


UPLOAD, as an attachment, the startup.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the Scheduled Tasks.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the install.txt file.

HOW TO UPLOAD
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums
=======================================
=======================================

If you get ready to take a break, then let a full scan by MalwareBytes run.
A safe link for MalwareBytes is given in my signature.

Here it is, Sir. Attached are the files needed for troubleshooting

 

[karlsnooks]

WIN | type MSCONFIG | ENTER | STARTUP tab |
Uncheck ALL except for:

MSC    Microsoft Corporation    "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe" -hide -runkey
SynTPEnh    Synaptics Incorporated    %ProgramFiles%\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe

REBOOT!

You have just told Win 7 to not run unchecked programs at start up time.

You have not disabled the programs. They will be run when needed.

WIN = key with the Microsoft logo on top

 

[karlsnooks]

CCLEANER | TOOLS icon | STARTUP tab | SCHEDULED TASKS tab |
Use DISABLE button to disable ALL except for:

CCleanerSkipUAC    Piriform Ltd    "C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe" $(Arg0)

Close CCleaner.


REBOOT!

You have not disabled any programs. You have disabled the scheduled running.
Later, after your system is running smoothly, you may reenable desired programs.

 

[karlsnooks]

UNINSTALL

µTorrent        4/6/2012        3.1.3

REBOOT

I'll be back with more to delete in about an hour. Am on break.


REMOVAL OF P2P PROGRAMS

There are signs of one or more P2P (Peer to Peer) File Sharing Programs on your computer.

As long as you are using any form of P2P networking to download files, you can anticipate malware infestations.

References citing the risk of using P2P programs:
How cyber criminals infect victims via P2P with pirated software on Vimeo
Malware: Help prevent the Infection
Perils of P2P File Sharing
How to Prevent the Online Invasion of Spyware and Adware
The Hidden Security Risks of P2P Traffic


I strongly recommend that you uninstall:
µTorrent
BitTorrent
Vuze

 

[kevindd992002]

WIN | type MSCONFIG | ENTER | STARTUP tab |
Uncheck ALL except for:

MSC    Microsoft Corporation    "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe" -hide -runkey
SynTPEnh    Synaptics Incorporated    %ProgramFiles%\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe

REBOOT!

You have just told Win 7 to not run unchecked programs at start up time.

You have not disabled the programs. They will be run when needed.

WIN = key with the Microsoft logo on top

Done.

CCLEANER | TOOLS icon | STARTUP tab | SCHEDULED TASKS tab |
Use DISABLE button to disable ALL except for:

CCleanerSkipUAC    Piriform Ltd    "C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe" $(Arg0)

Close CCleaner.


REBOOT!

You have not disabled any programs. You have disabled the scheduled running.
Later, after your system is running smoothly, you may reenable desired programs.

Done.

UNINSTALL

µTorrent        4/6/2012        3.1.3

REBOOT

I'll be back with more to delete in about an hour. Am on break.


REMOVAL OF P2P PROGRAMS

There are signs of one or more P2P (Peer to Peer) File Sharing Programs on your computer.

As long as you are using any form of P2P networking to download files, you can anticipate malware infestations.

References citing the risk of using P2P programs:
How cyber criminals infect victims via P2P with pirated software on Vimeo
Malware: Help prevent the Infection
Perils of P2P File Sharing
How to Prevent the Online Invasion of Spyware and Adware
The Hidden Security Risks of P2P Traffic


I strongly recommend that you uninstall:
µTorrent
BitTorrent
Vuze

Sorry but I use uTorrent from time to time. I know the risks for P2P but don't worry I know what I download. Is it OK if we skip this step?

Alright, I'll wait for your reply

 

[karlsnooks]

No. That step can not be skipped. After your system is back in order, you are free to self-inflict more pain upon yourself.

 

[kevindd992002]

No. That step can not be skipped. After your system is back in order, you are free to self-inflict more pain upon yourself.

Ok then Done with uninstalling uTorrent.

 

[karlsnooks]

excellent.
Am still playing catchup. How's the system performing now?

 

[kevindd992002]

excellent.
Am still playing catchup. How's the system performing now?

Oh ok. Actually, the icons are loading faster now. And it even solved another icon problem that I was having, it is explained in this thread: http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...ur-icons-refresh-flicker-quickly-startup.html

I tried opening a directory in my external USB3 HDD containing a handful of installer programs (with icons beside their respective file names) and they still load 1 by 1 like before.

So what do you think is the cause?

 

[karlsnooks]

I've looked over your other installed programs. There are some there which are troublemakers, but the one which may be causing you some delays is:
VirtualCloneDrive Elaborate Bytes 6/9/2012

I've known that program to cause problems. Uninstall and install only when absolutely needed.

After that and a reboot, we will use AutoRuns from the Microsoft SysInternals people to see what is still hanging around that we may want to eliminate.

Now when you run Autoruns, resist all temptation to change anything. This program is very powerful and very easily be misused.

Here is the link to download autoruns:
Autoruns for Windows

Run Autoruns.exe as an administrator.
then:
from the main menu bar at the top:
FILE | SAVE | SAVE button

You can now exit from Autoruns.

That saved a file called AutoRuns.arn in your documents folder.

Zip that file up (.arn is not recognized by SevenForums but Zip is) and attach to your next post.

 

[kevindd992002]

I've looked over your other installed programs. There are some there which are troublemakers, but the one which may be causing you some delays is:
VirtualCloneDrive Elaborate Bytes 6/9/2012

I've known that program to cause problems. Uninstall and install only when absolutely needed.

After that and a reboot, we will use AutoRuns from the Microsoft SysInternals people to see what is still hanging around that we may want to eliminate.

Now when you run Autoruns, resist all temptation to change anything. This program is very powerful and very easily be misused.

Here is the link to download autoruns:
Autoruns for Windows

Run Autoruns.exe as an administrator.
then:
from the main menu bar at the top:
FILE | SAVE | SAVE button

You can now exit from Autoruns.

That saved a file called AutoRuns.arn in your documents folder.

Zip that file up (.arn is not recognized by SevenForums but Zip is) and attach to your next post.

Uninstalled VirtualCloneDrive. Is there an alternative to it that doesn't cause any problems thought? I need a virtual cd software that is capable of mounting bluray rips and doesn't use the sptd.sys service (notorious for producing BSODs)?

Attached the autoruns.arn file here.

 

[kado897]

I've looked over your other installed programs. There are some there which are troublemakers, but the one which may be causing you some delays is:
VirtualCloneDrive Elaborate Bytes 6/9/2012

I've known that program to cause problems. Uninstall and install only when absolutely needed.

After that and a reboot, we will use AutoRuns from the Microsoft SysInternals people to see what is still hanging around that we may want to eliminate.

Now when you run Autoruns, resist all temptation to change anything. This program is very powerful and very easily be misused.

Here is the link to download autoruns:
Autoruns for Windows

Run Autoruns.exe as an administrator.
then:
from the main menu bar at the top:
FILE | SAVE | SAVE button

You can now exit from Autoruns.

That saved a file called AutoRuns.arn in your documents folder.

Zip that file up (.arn is not recognized by SevenForums but Zip is) and attach to your next post.

Uninstalled VirtualCloneDrive. Is there an alternative to it that doesn't cause any problems thought? I need a virtual cd software that is capable of mounting bluray rips and doesn't use the sptd.sys service (notorious for producing BSODs)?

Attached the autoruns.arn file here.

You might want to try PowerIso. The free version does more or less what VirtualCloneDrive. PowerISO - Create, Burn, Mount, Edit, Compress, Encrypt, Split, Extract ISO file, ISO/BIN converter, Virtual Drive, DAA File

 

[kevindd992002]

I've looked over your other installed programs. There are some there which are troublemakers, but the one which may be causing you some delays is:
VirtualCloneDrive Elaborate Bytes 6/9/2012

I've known that program to cause problems. Uninstall and install only when absolutely needed.

After that and a reboot, we will use AutoRuns from the Microsoft SysInternals people to see what is still hanging around that we may want to eliminate.

Now when you run Autoruns, resist all temptation to change anything. This program is very powerful and very easily be misused.

Here is the link to download autoruns:
Autoruns for Windows

Run Autoruns.exe as an administrator.
then:
from the main menu bar at the top:
FILE | SAVE | SAVE button

You can now exit from Autoruns.

That saved a file called AutoRuns.arn in your documents folder.

Zip that file up (.arn is not recognized by SevenForums but Zip is) and attach to your next post.

Uninstalled VirtualCloneDrive. Is there an alternative to it that doesn't cause any problems thought? I need a virtual cd software that is capable of mounting bluray rips and doesn't use the sptd.sys service (notorious for producing BSODs)?

Attached the autoruns.arn file here.

You might want to try PowerIso. The free version does more or less what VirtualCloneDrive. PowerISO - Create, Burn, Mount, Edit, Compress, Encrypt, Split, Extract ISO file, ISO/BIN converter, Virtual Drive, DAA File

Nah, I'm done with PowerISO. It's lacking good bluray support and people recommend against from it since it is "crap" as they say.

 

[kado897]

Uninstalled VirtualCloneDrive. Is there an alternative to it that doesn't cause any problems thought? I need a virtual cd software that is capable of mounting bluray rips and doesn't use the sptd.sys service (notorious for producing BSODs)?

Attached the autoruns.arn file here.

You might want to try PowerIso. The free version does more or less what VirtualCloneDrive. PowerISO - Create, Burn, Mount, Edit, Compress, Encrypt, Split, Extract ISO file, ISO/BIN converter, Virtual Drive, DAA File

Nah, I'm done with PowerISO. It's lacking good bluray support and people recommend against from it since it is "crap" as they say.

That's true about bluray support.

 

[karlsnooks]

Kevin,
Uninstall Internet Download Manager.
Uninstall QuckPar
Uninstall EasyConverter
Uninstall HotKey
Uninstall PowerDVD
Uninstall any Codecs that you do not need


If that doesn't solve the problem,
then Protector Suite needs to be uninstalled.

After all uninstalls, then post a fresh autoruns.arn.

 

[kevindd992002]

Kevin,
Uninstall Internet Download Manager.
Uninstall QuckPar
Uninstall EasyConverter
Uninstall HotKey
Uninstall PowerDVD
Uninstall any Codecs that you do not need


If that doesn't solve the problem,
then Protector Suite needs to be uninstalled.

After all uninstalls, then post a fresh autoruns.arn.

Currently uninstalling them. By EasyConverter, do you mean the Free M4A to Mp4 converter software that I have? I don't see any EasyConverter on my uninstall list of programs. Also, I need the shark007 codecs for movie playing, can I skip this step?

 

[kevindd992002]

Kevin,
Uninstall Internet Download Manager.
Uninstall QuckPar
Uninstall EasyConverter
Uninstall HotKey
Uninstall PowerDVD
Uninstall any Codecs that you do not need


If that doesn't solve the problem,
then Protector Suite needs to be uninstalled.

After all uninstalls, then post a fresh autoruns.arn.

Went ahead and uninstalled even the Shark0007 codecs. Attached is the Autoruns log file.

 

[kevindd992002]

Bump!

 

[karlsnooks]

Uninstall bonjour.
uninstall elaboratebytes virtualCD program
uninstall the Protector Suite,

then let us know how the system is functioning.

If that doesn't resolve your problem then:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164