unknown dialog box on startup

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I have been running XP Pro for a couple of years now and within the last week
or so a dialog box appears when I start my computer. The box is approximately
150 pixels x 150 pixels and contains only an OK button, a red circle icon
with an x, and a close dialog box X in the upper right hand corner of the
title bar. NOTHING ELSE. Virus scanning claims no threats exist on my PC.
Closing the dialog box by clicking OK or the X in the right hand corner makes
the box disappear.

Any ideas what this might be and how I can remove it.

cw
 
As well as spyware, there may have been a program uninstalled but the
registry key still remains and attempts top start in on bootup.

Run the spyware programs as stated by will Denny but also look in the
registry for any keys that are no longer required.

The area to look in via regedit or regedt32 is
HKEY_Local_Machine/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run

However, if you are not converse with the registry, I would advise
against tinkering with it as you could create more problems.
 
I noticed Will is a MS/MVP and since youre talking spyware, I wanted to know
what you thought of the beta product Microsoft has out. Ive used it with good
results (as far as I know), but also use Ad-Aware and Spybot.
 
I have run XoftSpy which didn't remove the dialog. Do I need to use more than
one Spyware program?
 
Hi

I've found the MS spyware program works very well, although I do still use
Ad-Aware as well. There was a bug with the MS spyware updates, but that has
now been sorted with the new version.
 
Hi

One of the other programs may find something that XoftSpy doesn't. More
than one anti-spyware program can be run and is normally beneficial.
 
Before closing the box, bring up Task Manager and make a list
of what's in the Applications and Processes tabs (you can use
Alt+PrintScreen and paste into an imaging app to do this).

Then kill the dialog.

Run TM again and see if anything that was there before is now gone.

Let us know what it is if you don't recognize it. If you do recognize it,
and you know what to do about it, backup and go for it.
 
V Green,
Thanks for the suggestion! Before and after ask manager showed the process
PCHButton.exe was running.

Reasearch showed this was part of a software update program installed on HP
computers. Virus or Adware programs would not detect as it is not a threat.

Searching PC PCHButton.exe, and deleteing instances solved the problem.

cw
 
Right on.

Glad to hear it's sorted out.

cw said:
V Green,
Thanks for the suggestion! Before and after ask manager showed the process
PCHButton.exe was running.

Reasearch showed this was part of a software update program installed on HP
computers. Virus or Adware programs would not detect as it is not a threat.

Searching PC PCHButton.exe, and deleteing instances solved the problem.

cw
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