desktop icons toggle with Show Desktop

[Bozette]

Beginning yesterday, when my boss launches any program ALL desktop icons disappear. The Start Button, Quick Lauch, toolbar and clock area ARE visible.
We can get the icons back using the Show Desktop shortcut in Quick Launch area. In fact Show Desktop will toggle between all desktop icons being visible and all missing.
We checked for a stuck Windows key. No change. Any suggestsions? We're using XP Pro if that matters.
Thanks for any help.
Boze

 

[bcastner]

thread760-1032203

 

[Bozette]

Thanks. That thread lists symptoms we aren't currently experiencing (such as it disables System Restore and corrupts Explorer) so I'm not sure it relates to our problem. I don't see if it mentions the icons returning to the desktop when we use the 'Show Desktop' shortcut. I'll run Spybot and Ad-Aware and see if Bube's found.

 

[linney]

See if the Desktop icons play up in Safe Mode, that will give you a clue as to if something at Startup is causing the problem?

"Bcastner's" link mentions Microsoft AntiSpyware as an option against "Bube".

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Microsoft (GIANT Antispyware) Beta available
Thread779-979113

Before you turn off System Restore it might be worth a go to see if that fixes anything by stepping back a day or two.