Solved Blank icon with no name in Control Panel

[Sarc]

My Start Menu is set to display the Control Panel as a menu. At the top of the list is an item with no icon or name. Clicking it does nothing. I cant even create a shortcut of it. How can I remove this item? (Please see attached pic of the problem)

 

[AddRAM]

Switch the control panel setting back to display as a link, check control panel. Post your results.

 

[Sarc]

Switch the control panel setting back to display as a link, check control panel. Post your results.

Tried that but when I switch back to MENU from LINK, the blank entry is still there.

 

[AddRAM]

Brink is the icon expert around here, try IMing him through this thread.

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/222468-icon-problem.html

 

[Sarc]

Brink is the icon expert around here, try IMing him through this thread.

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/222468-icon-problem.html

PM sent to BRINK. Thanks for your help though

 

[AddRAM]

He may or may not see it that way. You have to click on his icon to send him a message.

 

[marsmimar]

Just a couple of follow up questions, Sarc. Have you recently uninstalled anything from your computer that might have left behind this blank icon? If you hover your cursor over the icon does it give any information in a popup? When you say you clicked on the icon was that a right click? Have you rebooted your computer since this icon first appeared? Have you run a full system scan with your antivirus and antispyware of choice? Have you run any other free on-demand scanners like Malwarebytes, Superantispyware, HitmanPro, Comodo Cleaning Essentials, etc?

You could try rebuilding your icon cache:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/49819-icon-cache-rebuild.html

You could also run a System File Checker scan to see if there are any damaged or corrupt system files. If problems are noted run the scan 3 times rebooting in between each scan.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

If none of the above helps you could try a system restore and return your computer to a date/time prior to when the icon first appeared.

   Warning

System restore will uninstall any programs or drivers that were installed after the date of the selected restore point.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

 

[Sarc]

I have recently installed many Windows updates as well as uninstalled some software, but cant pinpoint which one exactly left this control panel entry behind. Left clicking the icon does nothing. Right clicking gives the option of creating a shortcut which does not work.I have rebooted the system twice since the appearance of this entry. MS Security Essentials is continuously up and running with the latest definitions. SFC did not find any problems. I dont want to do a system restore as that may introduce more problems (I think).

Update: Rebuilding icons does not work

 

[Brink]

Hello Sarc, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Just as a test, could you post a screenshot of your Control Panel in large icons view showing all items in it to see if you have the blank entry there as well?

 

[Sarc]

Hello Sarc, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Just as a test, could you post a screenshot of your Control Panel in large icons view showing all items in it to see if you have the blank entry there as well?

This blank icon does not appear in a Control Panel explorer window.

 

[writhziden]

Appears to be part of NVIDIA software. Have you tried uninstalling all NVIDIA software through Control Panel -> Uninstall a program and then installing the latest package of NVIDIA software/drivers for your graphics card?

1. Download the latest drivers for your display card(s) from Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers
2. Click Start Menu
3. Click Control Panel
4. Click Uninstall a program
5. For NVIDIA:
   • Uninstall the NVIDIA Graphics Driver (this should uninstall all NVIDIA software and drivers)
   • Restart your computer
   • Make sure NVIDIA 3D Vision Driver, NVIDIA 3D Vision Video Player, NVIDIA HD Audio Driver, and NVIDIA PhysX System Software are not still listed under Uninstall a program through Control Panel
   • If any remain of the above, uninstall one at a time
   • If asked to restart after uninstalling any of the above, do so, and continue uninstalling any remaining NVIDIA items until all are removed
6. Restart your computer after uninstalling drivers for all display cards
7. Install the latest driver for the display cards once Windows starts

 

[Sarc]

Appears to be part of NVIDIA software.

What makes you think its part of Nvidia? The entry has no name nor icon.

 

[writhziden]

Appears to be part of NVIDIA software. Have you tried uninstalling all NVIDIA software through Control Panel -> Uninstall a program and then installing the latest package of NVIDIA software/drivers for your graphics card?

1. Download the latest drivers for your display card(s) from Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers
2. Click Start Menu
3. Click Control Panel
4. Click Uninstall a program
5. For NVIDIA:
   • Uninstall the NVIDIA Graphics Driver (this should uninstall all NVIDIA software and drivers)
   • Restart your computer
   • Make sure NVIDIA 3D Vision Driver, NVIDIA 3D Vision Video Player, NVIDIA HD Audio Driver, and NVIDIA PhysX System Software are not still listed under Uninstall a program through Control Panel
   • If any remain of the above, uninstall one at a time
   • If asked to restart after uninstalling any of the above, do so, and continue uninstalling any remaining NVIDIA items until all are removed
6. Restart your computer after uninstalling drivers for all display cards
7. Install the latest driver for the display cards once Windows starts

The above, and I did a Google search for the name of the icon.

Edit: Sorry, I was looking at the other Control Panel item missing an icon. I am wondering if these are related, though. Could still be NVIDIA software that is missing the icon and name.

 

[Brink]

Appears to be part of NVIDIA software.

What makes you think its part of Nvidia? The entry has no name nor icon.

In addition:

The only blank icon in your Control Panel is for AGEIA PhysX (32-bit), and that is part of the NIVIDIA drivers. Uninstalling/reinstalling all NVIDIA software as Mike posted above may sort it for you.

 

[writhziden]

Appears to be part of NVIDIA software.

What makes you think its part of Nvidia? The entry has no name nor icon.

In addition:

The only blank icon in your Control Panel is for AGEIA PhysX (32-bit), and that is part of the NIVIDIA drivers. Uninstalling/reinstalling all NVIDIA software as Mike posted above may sort it for you.

There are actually two blank icons. One without a name, one with the AGEIA PhysX name. I missed the first one myself. See my previous post for my edit. I do think they may both be related, or at least it is worth seeing if they are.

 

[Brink]

Yeah, I'm also thinking the second one showing in the Start Menu may actually be the same (or related to) AGEIA PhysX (32-bit) that is showing only once in the Control Panel. Could be a glitch in the Start Menu that uninstall/reinstalling the drivers may help get rid of. We shall see though.

 

[Sarc]

I will reinstall Nvidia drivers and post an update....

 

[Jacee]

writhziden looked up the blank icon with the name AGEIA PhysX (32-bit)
AGEIA PhysX (also known as Nvidia Physx) software

 

[Brink]

I will reinstall Nvidia drivers and post an update....

You'll need to be sure to do all of this below that Mike posted, and not just reinstall the drivers though.

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...icon-no-name-control-panel-2.html#post1866418

 

[Sarc]

I will reinstall Nvidia drivers and post an update....

You'll need to be sure to do all of this below that Mike posted, and not just reinstall the drivers though.

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...icon-no-name-control-panel-2.html#post1866418

Will do