Old Timer TFC Cleaner

[veegee]

Right in the middle of running Old Timer TFC Cleaner 3.1.90 (from Geeks to Go) when a message box appeared which read...Windows has encountered a critical problem & will restart automatically in 1 min. After restart, there are two Desktop.ini icons on desktop:

1. [.ShellClassInfo]
LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21799
[LocalizedFileNames]
HP Support Assistant.lnk=@C:\Workspaces\HPAssistant\Dev\HPSFSetup\SupportExes\HelpDTICO.dll,-101
Norton Internet Security.lnk=@C:\PROGRA~2\NORTON~2\Branding\muis.dll,-102
(Norton is not even installed on this PC)

2. [.ShellClassInfo]
LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21769
IconResource=%SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-183
[LocalizedFileNames]
Windows Live Mail.lnk=@C:\PROGRA~2\WIC4A1~1\Mail\maillang.dll,-21159
Windows Update.lnk=@%SystemRoot%\system32\wucltux.dll,-1
Windows Update (2).lnk=@%SystemRoot%\system32\wucltux.dll,-1
Internet Explorer.lnk=@%windir%\System32\ie4uinit.exe,-734
Internet Explorer (64-bit).lnk=@%windir%\System32\ie4uinit.exe,-735

Don't think that TFC had even finished when the PC restarted. Tried to run the cleaner again but all that happened was all my desktop icons disappeared so had to shut down using the power button. Today, tried it again and it cleaned OK but when it comes to restart, there is one program that is not shutting down, Explorer.exe. The 'cancel' button does not respond and 'force restart' results in just the revolving circle & shutting down on screen so I have to use the power button again (but TFC usually always does this).

My questions please: Why is TFC behaving this way (I think that it worked properly about twice in all)? I always make sure nothing is running in the task bar.

Can these two desktop.ini icons on the desktop be deleted safely?

Thanks in advance for your help.

PS - this all happened shortly after Microsoft installed 8 or 9 updates! Could it be??

 

[Dwarf]

Requested assistance for you.

 

[Jacee]

I've never run into any problems using or advising a user to install and run TFC.

This is what TFC does ...


TFC (Temp File Cleaner) will clear out all temp folders for all user accounts (temp, IE temp, java, FF, Opera, Chrome, Safari), including Administrator, All Users, LocalService, NetworkService, and any other accounts in the user folder. It also cleans out the %systemroot%\temp folder and checks for .tmp files in the %systemdrive% root folder, %systemroot%, and the system32 folder (both 32bit and 64bit on 64bit OSs). It shows the amount removed for each location found (in bytes) and the total removed (in MB).

Before running, it will stop Explorer and all other running apps, including desktop icons. When finished, if a reboot is required the user must reboot to finish clearing any in-use temp files.

TFC only cleans temp folders. TFC will not clean URL history, prefetch, or cookies. Depending on how often someone cleans their temp folders, their system hardware, and how many accounts are present, it can take anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or more. TFC will completely clear all temp files where other temp file cleaners may fail. TFC requires a reboot immediately after running. Be sure to save any unsaved work before running TFC.

Download TFC by Old Timer from here (direct download): http://www.itxassociates.com/OT-Tools/TFC.exe

As far as the two desktop.ini icons go, did you unhide 'hidden files and folders'. If you did, re-hide, reboot, and see if they're still on the desktop.

 

[veegee]

Hi Jacee - thanks for the reply.

I placed a tick mark to hide files and folders and the PC has been restarted several times since and the desktop.ini icons still remain on my desktop.

Can they safely be deleted now?

I googled desktop.ini and still am not clear as to what they mean! I read somewhere once that it's a good idea to show hidden files and folders when scanning for a virus & malware...is this right?

Ran TFC from the site you provided and this time it worked just fine...hopefully it continues.

Many thanks again.

 

[DavidE]

Another setting that affects seeing desktop.ini files is "Hide protected operating system files"
See if you have this option Checked.
If it is UNchecked: Check it, Apply, and reboot.
If it is Checked: UNCheck it, Apply, Check it, Apply, and reboot.

If your settings are correct to hide these files and they are still visible, I would run a System File Check.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[veegee]

DavidW7ncus:
I checked-in "hide protected operating system file"
checked-in "don't show hidden files, folders or drivers". Rebooted and desktop.ini icons are gone.

Somehow I had one of these unchecked and the other checked.

To ask my question again...is it a good idea to show all the above files when running deep scans for malware and then reset them to hide back again after scan?

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[DavidE]

You don't need to show all files for running scans.

Glad to hear you got the desktop.ini files hidden!