I've got a Dell Dimension 8100 (1.5mhz, Ram 768Mg), XP Professional,
Ver
5.1.2600 SP3, I Run Norton Antivirus (up to date no problems), all XP
updates are up to date, I use registry mechanic (no problems), Windows
XP
Malware (0) problems, Ad-Aware (clean). Have had no real problems
with the
computer. What other information should I provide?
Using Registry Mechanic is not advised. Actually, any registry "cleaner"
is not advised as they do not noticeably improve performance and the
possibility always exists that significant damage may occur, including
the inability to boot up!
I never heard of "Windows XP Malware." If that's the actual name of the
program, I would imagine it is a form of malware.
What is this "box arrow" you are referring to?
Does this behavior always occur? Or does it only occur shortly after you
boot up (presumably while Norton -- which is also problematic because of
its bloat -- is scanning your entire hard drive)?
Try this:
Physically disconnect your PC from the Internet and reboot into Safe
Mode. Does the behavior persist?
If you don't have malware, it's possible that Norton is ironically
causing this situation!