Graphics, or IE, or Windows Mail problem

I'm stumped as to what my problem is--starting by posting in the Graphic Card area.

Two weeks ago my computer freaked out. I'm running W7 64 Bit. I had IE9 at the time but have since gone back to IE8; problem didn't correct itself. The problem is, everything I see on my screen in IE (and some in Sarari and Netscape) --- well, it's not appearing as it should. I see "outlines" around everything...text that should be displayed isn't displayed...pictures don't show up. The Facebook hme page is missing the Facebook logo...that kind of thing. (I have screen shots but am not sure how to share them--I'll try to attach a sample of a page in IE.)

I know ZIP about computers so I'm stumped on how to know what is wrong. I thought maybe I could reinstall IE and Windows Mail and see if that would fix it...but can't find how to do that either. All my auto-updates show that everything is updated?

Also---I have a lot of folders in Explorer with padlocks next to them, and they didn't use to have padlocks next to them! My "desktop" folder in Explorer is gone---thank goodness I had backed up the contents to another folder before that but it's not convenient to have the folder gone. My recycle bin vanished from the desktop, too, and has a padlock on it. Stumped.

Please--can anyone help???

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

The padlocks on the folders concerned is telling you that you cannot view the contents without first having permission.

Do not attempt to change these folders as they are not real folders, they are just junction points that Windows 7 uses to ensure compatibility with legacy applications.

For you to see them your folder options must have been changed so that you can see hidden folders and protected system files.

I'm just wondering if you have a virus infection and because of that I'd suggest running a scan with Malwarebytes, which is very good.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free

I'm trying to upload a photo again...this is an image of THIS message posting page in IE8---if it works, you can see all the "outlines" and can compare it with what you see when you go to reply.

Also---I forgot to say that when my PC turns on, I used to get a sold black screen (it's a Dell) where I would choose the user. Now it's a weird white color.

Anyway, I wanted to reply and say I'm running the Malwarebytes quick scan but it's halfway through and I have to leave for the day. So I'm going to shut it down and run the full scan instead, while I'm out, and see what it says when I return tonight. I will post the results. It should be mentioned, though, that I have "McAfee Internet Security" running at all times--does that stop malware?

I agree that now that you said that, it sure seems like a virus might be the culprit here. I'll report the results later. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your help.

Melissa

You're very welcome Melissa.

McAfee should stop malware getting through, but as with all anti-virus software, nothing is guaranteed.

Many of us have given up on utilities such as McAfee and Norton and use Microsoft's Security Essentials along Malwarebytes, both of which are free.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx

If you do decide to use Microsoft Security Essentials, you will of course need to uninstall McAfee, as running two anti-virus programs side-by-side can lead to problems.

Anyway, post back with your results later and we can decide what to do then.

After 11 hours, Malwarebytes is still running. It's current checking the Windows folder, though, so maybe it's almost done. It says "1 found" but I can't tell you what it is (apparently) until it's done--but something was found. Fingers crossed we're on the road to fixing this thing, as it's been driving me nuts for 2 weeks!!!

I'll check it again in 2 hours...but may have to update you in the morning if it's still not done then. Thanks! ~Melissa

OK Melissa. If I'm not around I've no doubt someone else will help out on the thread, but I'll make a point of checking on your progress when I log on in the morning.

It ended up finding 3...below is the log. I'll also try to attach the screen capture. Now what?? Click on "remove" to try to remove them?

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1.1000
www.malwarebytes.org
Database version: v2012.03.18.02
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 x64 NTFS
Internet Explorer 8.0.7601.17514
Melissa :: OFFICE [administrator]
3/18/2012 8:23:34 AM
mbam-log-2012-03-18 (20-51-36).txt
Scan type: Full scan
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 1457658
Time elapsed: 12 hour(s), 11 minute(s), 18 second(s)
Memory Processes Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Values Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Data Items Detected: 2
HKCR\scrfile\shell\open\command| (Broken.OpenCommand) -> Bad: (NOTEPAD.EXE %1) Good: ("%1" /S) -> No action taken.
HKCR\regfile\shell\open\command| (Broken.OpenCommand) -> Bad: (NOTEPAD.EXE %1) Good: (regedit.exe "%1") -> No action taken.
Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Files Detected: 1
C:\Melissa\mondaysucks.exe (JokeApp.NotFunny) -> No action taken.
(end)

Thanks! ~Melissa

I would go ahead a let Malwarebytes remove the three it found. Then reboot and see if you are still having the same problem.

Okay...I quarantined those 3 problems succesfully (see below) and rebooted. Windows glitched on the reboot 3 times but finally sucessfully loaded (my heart was in my throat each time). The gray/white part during the boot (Dell) is back to being the normal black.

Good news: the little padlocks went away.

Bad news: I still have a "?" before my Recycle Bin in Explorer. And when I click on "Documents and Settings" it says "access is denied." Certain other folders are grayed out in Explorer and when I click it says I don't have permissions...so something is still wrong with permissions settings??

Log and screens below.

Thanks! ~Melissa

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1.1000
www.malwarebytes.org
Database version: v2012.03.18.02
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 x64 NTFS
Internet Explorer 8.0.7601.17514
Melissa :: OFFICE [administrator]
3/18/2012 8:23:34 AM
mbam-log-2012-03-18 (08-23-34).txt
Scan type: Full scan
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 1457658
Time elapsed: 12 hour(s), 11 minute(s), 18 second(s)
Memory Processes Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Values Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Data Items Detected: 2
HKCR\scrfile\shell\open\command| (Broken.OpenCommand) -> Bad: (NOTEPAD.EXE %1) Good: ("%1" /S) -> Quarantined and repaired successfully.
HKCR\regfile\shell\open\command| (Broken.OpenCommand) -> Bad: (NOTEPAD.EXE %1) Good: (regedit.exe "%1") -> Quarantined and repaired successfully.
Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Files Detected: 1
C:\Melissa\mondaysucks.exe (JokeApp.NotFunny) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
(end)

I'm sorry...and I also meant to say (in my reply above) that I still have the same graphics problems in IE and Windows Mail. Windows Mail has thick black lines dividing my mailboxes. IE8 has "boxes" around everything--like I'm seeing the webpage sections--and links and graphcis are missing.