Startup items keep disappearing! 2

[mindsweeper]

Hi guys,

Recently my startup items like admuncher and more concerningly Zonealarm keep disappearing. This happens after I restart my computer. Not only do those things go missing, I loose my "Turn off Computer" and "Run" buttons in the start menu.

I tried some registry trick to restore the buttons in the start menu but after a couple of restarts they disappear again. Could this be a spyware issue? Spybot and adaware hasn't picked up anything though.

Thanks for the help.

 

[bcastner]

See:

http://help.lockergnome.com/general/Shut-run-buttons-XP-start-menu-missing-ftopict48404.html

 

[linney]

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Try the free version of "Ewido"

http://www.ewido.net/

Windows Defender

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

292504 - Policy Settings for the Start Menu in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;292504&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[mindsweeper]

Thanks guys! It's all cleared now. I believe it was spyware causing all these problems. Ewido picked up 7 threats, whereas spybot didn't pick up any. Adaware only picked up 2. It's scary that spyware could disable my AV and firewall...

 

[linney]

Are you surfing as an Administrative user rather than using the safer Limited user to get around the Internet?

The following site will lead you to some of the better security programs and ideas that are available.

http://www.wilderssecurity.com

 

[mindsweeper]

Well, I was always logged in as Admin user even though when I was having my problems I was unable to access Task Manager. It said I lacked the admin rights even though my user account is Admin.

 

[linney]

The point I was trying to make was that it is a lot safer to surf as a Limited user rather than an Administrative user. The reason being, any nasties you come across are a lot less likely to cause damage to your system if they don't have administrative access to it.