My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there is a
huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and the
bottom of the list. I have googled the problem and found it described in
several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. Any help would
be appreciated.

XP SP3
IE8
Intel duo 2.2
2gig memory

On Aug 3, 5:54*pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
> My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there isa
> huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and the
> bottom of the list. *I have googled the problem and found it described in
> several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. *Any help would
> be appreciated.
>
> XP SP3
> IE8
> Intel duo 2.2
> 2gig memory

I have seen big white space and it is usually caused by a problem in
the Uninstall section of the registry - usually the DisplayIcon entry
having a negative number (like -1 instead of 1).

So... can you recall when it worked last and what has been installed
since? AutoCAD, AutoDesk, Autoanything?

Example of an improper DisplayIcon value in the registry for a
recently installed or Autosomething program:

C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,-1

It should read:

C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,1

You can look for the problem yourself by going here:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

and looking at all the {.....} entries for negative values in the
DisplayIcon parameters. Not all will have the DisplayIcon parameter
which is fine. You are looking for those with minus signs that need
fixing.

Every {.....} is some program that you will be able to see what it is
by looking at the values. You can remove just the minus sign for
DisplayIcon parameter if you find one.

Export/backup your registry first or be very careful of course.

try this:

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/a...leaner_why.htm


--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- Microsoft Partner
- @hotmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen

>
>

"bobster" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there is a
> huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and the
> bottom of the list. I have googled the problem and found it described in
> several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. Any help would
> be appreciated.
>
> XP SP3
> IE8
> Intel duo 2.2
> 2gig memory
>
>

On Aug 3, 5:54*pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
> My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there isa
> huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and the
> bottom of the list. *I have googled the problem and found it described in
> several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. *Any help would
> be appreciated.
>
> XP SP3
> IE8
> Intel duo 2.2
> 2gig memory

I tend to forget the obvious first step:

Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free
malware detection programs:

Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/
SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): http://www.superantispyware.com/

They can be uninstalled later if desired.

I automatically think that everyone does that first.

Jose,

I went through the registry area that you suggested one-by-one and found
lots of (1)s but no (-1)s. Also ran Malwarebytes and SuperAntispyware and
to my surprise, found 7 Trojans. First time I have found anything like that
for quite awhile. I run both of those at least once a week and generally
more often. Also have a Hosts file active and SpyBlaster. Using Avast! a/v
and Windows firewall. Can't imagine how the Trojans got in. However,
deleting them did not solve my Add/Remove blank space problem. Haven't made
any additions to my computer lately so I'm at a loss as to what caused the
problem and how to fix it. Any more ideas will be appreciated.

=====================================================
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jose" <(E-Mail Removed)>
Newsgroups: Microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 3:43 PM
Subject: Re: Add Remove problem


On Aug 3, 5:54 pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
> My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there is
> a
> huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and
> the
> bottom of the list. I have googled the problem and found it described in
> several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. Any help
> would
> be appreciated.
>
> XP SP3
> IE8
> Intel duo 2.2
> 2gig memory

I have seen big white space and it is usually caused by a problem in
the Uninstall section of the registry - usually the DisplayIcon entry
having a negative number (like -1 instead of 1).

So... can you recall when it worked last and what has been installed
since? AutoCAD, AutoDesk, Autoanything?

Example of an improper DisplayIcon value in the registry for a
recently installed or Autosomething program:

C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,-1

It should read:

C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,1

You can look for the problem yourself by going here:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

and looking at all the {.....} entries for negative values in the
DisplayIcon parameters. Not all will have the DisplayIcon parameter
which is fine. You are looking for those with minus signs that need
fixing.

Every {.....} is some program that you will be able to see what it is
by looking at the values. You can remove just the minus sign for
DisplayIcon parameter if you find one.

Export/backup your registry first or be very careful of course.

"Jose" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:2bd121ca-4f88-4ddd-8e62-(E-Mail Removed)...
On Aug 3, 5:54 pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
> My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there is
> a
> huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and
> the
> bottom of the list. I have googled the problem and found it described in
> several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. Any help
> would
> be appreciated.
>
> XP SP3
> IE8
> Intel duo 2.2
> 2gig memory

I tend to forget the obvious first step:

Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free
malware detection programs:

Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/
SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): http://www.superantispyware.com/

They can be uninstalled later if desired.

I automatically think that everyone does that first.

Sounds like you've got more work to do.

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. [WinXP ONLY!! =>] Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan
(only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachi...php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as well.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002



bobster wrote:
> I went through the registry area that you suggested one-by-one and found
> lots of (1)s but no (-1)s. Also ran Malwarebytes and SuperAntispyware and
> to my surprise, found 7 Trojans. First time I have found anything like
> that
> for quite awhile. I run both of those at least once a week and generally
> more often. Also have a Hosts file active and SpyBlaster. Using Avast!
> a/v
> and Windows firewall. Can't imagine how the Trojans got in. However,
> deleting them did not solve my Add/Remove blank space problem. Haven't
> made
> any additions to my computer lately so I'm at a loss as to what caused the
> problem and how to fix it. Any more ideas will be appreciated.
>
> =====================================================
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jose" <(E-Mail Removed)>
> Newsgroups: Microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
> Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 3:43 PM
> Subject: Re: Add Remove problem
>
>
> On Aug 3, 5:54 pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
>> My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there is
>> a
>> huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and
>> the
>> bottom of the list. I have googled the problem and found it described in
>> several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. Any help
>> would
>> be appreciated.
>>
>> XP SP3
>> IE8
>> Intel duo 2.2
>> 2gig memory
>
> I have seen big white space and it is usually caused by a problem in
> the Uninstall section of the registry - usually the DisplayIcon entry
> having a negative number (like -1 instead of 1).
>
> So... can you recall when it worked last and what has been installed
> since? AutoCAD, AutoDesk, Autoanything?
>
> Example of an improper DisplayIcon value in the registry for a
> recently installed or Autosomething program:
>
> C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,-1
>
> It should read:
>
> C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,1
>
> You can look for the problem yourself by going here:
>
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
>
> and looking at all the {.....} entries for negative values in the
> DisplayIcon parameters. Not all will have the DisplayIcon parameter
> which is fine. You are looking for those with minus signs that need
> fixing.
>
> Every {.....} is some program that you will be able to see what it is
> by looking at the values. You can remove just the minus sign for
> DisplayIcon parameter if you find one.
>
> Export/backup your registry first or be very careful of course.
>
> "Jose" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:2bd121ca-4f88-4ddd-8e62-(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Aug 3, 5:54 pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
>> My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there is
>> a
>> huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and
>> the
>> bottom of the list. I have googled the problem and found it described in
>> several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. Any help
>> would
>> be appreciated.
>>
>> XP SP3
>> IE8
>> Intel duo 2.2
>> 2gig memory
>
> I tend to forget the obvious first step:
>
> Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free
> malware detection programs:
>
> Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/
> SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): http://www.superantispyware.com/
>
> They can be uninstalled later if desired.
>
> I automatically think that everyone does that first.

Jose,
you will find that what you call a "negative number" as the "DisplayIcon"
value is not a negative number at all, but a change to reference number from absolute
order :

e.g. c:\windows\shell32.dll,69

....is the seventieth icon (the first being 0 (zero)).

and to referenced number, i.e. each icon is given a numerical name, sometimes they
are listed in straight order 1-100, etc, and sometimes not.

But to define an icon by it's reference number in the 'Icon Group' part of the
resource section of an executable :

e.g. c:\windows\shell32.dll,-151

....gives you the same icon as the first one.

However, this could still be the cause of the problem you spoke about, but wanted you
to know what the preceding "-" dash really signified.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)




"Jose" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:06f53c8b-8115-4293-9047-(E-Mail Removed)...
On Aug 3, 5:54 pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
> My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there is a
> huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and the
> bottom of the list. I have googled the problem and found it described in
> several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. Any help would
> be appreciated.
>
> XP SP3
> IE8
> Intel duo 2.2
> 2gig memory

I have seen big white space and it is usually caused by a problem in
the Uninstall section of the registry - usually the DisplayIcon entry
having a negative number (like -1 instead of 1).

So... can you recall when it worked last and what has been installed
since? AutoCAD, AutoDesk, Autoanything?

Example of an improper DisplayIcon value in the registry for a
recently installed or Autosomething program:

C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,-1

It should read:

C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,1

You can look for the problem yourself by going here:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

and looking at all the {.....} entries for negative values in the
DisplayIcon parameters. Not all will have the DisplayIcon parameter
which is fine. You are looking for those with minus signs that need
fixing.

Every {.....} is some program that you will be able to see what it is
by looking at the values. You can remove just the minus sign for
DisplayIcon parameter if you find one.

Export/backup your registry first or be very careful of course.

On Aug 3, 8:22*pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
> Jose,
>
> I went through the registry area that you suggested one-by-one and found
> lots of (1)s but no (-1)s. *Also ran Malwarebytes and SuperAntispyware and
> to my surprise, found 7 Trojans. *First time I have found anything likethat
> for quite awhile. *I run both of those at least once a week and generally
> more often. *Also have a Hosts file active and SpyBlaster. *Using Avast! a/v
> and Windows firewall. *Can't imagine how the Trojans got in. *However,
> deleting them did not solve my Add/Remove blank space problem. *Haven'tmade
> any additions to my computer lately so I'm at a loss as to what caused the
> problem and how to fix it. *Any more ideas will be appreciated.
>
> =====================================================
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jose" <jose_e...@yahoo.com>
> Newsgroups: Microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
> Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 3:43 PM
> Subject: Re: Add Remove problem
>
> On Aug 3, 5:54 pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
> > My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there is
> > a
> > huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and
> > the
> > bottom of the list. I have googled the problem and found it described in
> > several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. Any help
> > would
> > be appreciated.
>
> > XP SP3
> > IE8
> > Intel duo 2.2
> > 2gig memory
>
> I have seen big white space and it is usually caused by a problem in
> the Uninstall section of the registry - usually the DisplayIcon entry
> having a negative number (like -1 instead of 1).
>
> So... *can you recall when it worked last and what has been installed
> since? *AutoCAD, AutoDesk, Autoanything?
>
> Example of an improper DisplayIcon value in the registry for a
> recently installed or Autosomething program:
>
> C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,-1
>
> It should read:
>
> C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,1
>
> You can look for the problem yourself by going here:
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
>
> and looking at all the {.....} entries for negative values in the
> DisplayIcon parameters. *Not all will have the DisplayIcon parameter
> which is fine. *You are looking for those with minus signs that need
> fixing.
>
> Every {.....} is some program that you will be able to see what it is
> by looking at the values. *You can remove just the minus sign for
> DisplayIcon parameter if you find one.
>
> Export/backup your registry first or be very careful of course.
>
> "Jose" <jose_e...@yahoo.com> wrote in messagenews:2bd121ca-4f88-4ddd-8e62-(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Aug 3, 5:54 pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
> > My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there is
> > a
> > huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and
> > the
> > bottom of the list. I have googled the problem and found it described in
> > several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. Any help
> > would
> > be appreciated.
>
> > XP SP3
> > IE8
> > Intel duo 2.2
> > 2gig memory
>
> I tend to forget the obvious first step:
>
> Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free
> malware detection programs:
>
> Malwarebytes (MBAM): *http://malwarebytes.org/
> SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): *http://www.superantispyware.com/
>
> They can be uninstalled later if desired.
>
> I automatically think that everyone does that first.

Hmmm... okay.

There is a clue as to the entry in Add/Remove with the last properly
display program but I have not figured out the clue yet.

I found a couple other (2) other DisplayIcon values in my registry in
HKCU and they had the zero (0) as the part of the parameter after the
comma.

I changed one of them to -1 and then my Add/Remove was broken with a
big (white) empty space. I changed it back 10 1 and all was well.

I suggest checking your entire registry for a DisplayIcon values that
ends in a negative number.

I know it sounds terrible, but there shouldn't be too many places
outside the Uninstall portion of HKLM.

In regedit, highlight My Computer, click Edit, Find... DisplayIcon

Expand your windows and columns in regedit to make searching and
seeing results easy.

F3 means search again.

If you find a negative number, double click the offending parameter
and remove the minus sign, the effect is immediate when you click OK,
try Add/Remove again. Be sure Add/Remove is closed and started again
between cycles.

You can keep up with the changes to undo them, or change them back one
at a time after testing if nothing good happens or come back for
probably many more opinions.

One at a time is good so we can maybe see who it is.

On Aug 3, 8:22*pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
> Jose,
>
> I went through the registry area that you suggested one-by-one and found
> lots of (1)s but no (-1)s. *Also ran Malwarebytes and SuperAntispyware and
> to my surprise, found 7 Trojans. *First time I have found anything likethat
> for quite awhile. *I run both of those at least once a week and generally
> more often. *Also have a Hosts file active and SpyBlaster. *Using Avast! a/v
> and Windows firewall. *Can't imagine how the Trojans got in. *However,
> deleting them did not solve my Add/Remove blank space problem. *Haven'tmade
> any additions to my computer lately so I'm at a loss as to what caused the
> problem and how to fix it. *Any more ideas will be appreciated.
>
> =====================================================
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jose" <jose_e...@yahoo.com>
> Newsgroups: Microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
> Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 3:43 PM
> Subject: Re: Add Remove problem
>
> On Aug 3, 5:54 pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
> > My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there is
> > a
> > huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and
> > the
> > bottom of the list. I have googled the problem and found it described in
> > several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. Any help
> > would
> > be appreciated.
>
> > XP SP3
> > IE8
> > Intel duo 2.2
> > 2gig memory
>
> I have seen big white space and it is usually caused by a problem in
> the Uninstall section of the registry - usually the DisplayIcon entry
> having a negative number (like -1 instead of 1).
>
> So... *can you recall when it worked last and what has been installed
> since? *AutoCAD, AutoDesk, Autoanything?
>
> Example of an improper DisplayIcon value in the registry for a
> recently installed or Autosomething program:
>
> C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,-1
>
> It should read:
>
> C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,1
>
> You can look for the problem yourself by going here:
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
>
> and looking at all the {.....} entries for negative values in the
> DisplayIcon parameters. *Not all will have the DisplayIcon parameter
> which is fine. *You are looking for those with minus signs that need
> fixing.
>
> Every {.....} is some program that you will be able to see what it is
> by looking at the values. *You can remove just the minus sign for
> DisplayIcon parameter if you find one.
>
> Export/backup your registry first or be very careful of course.
>
> "Jose" <jose_e...@yahoo.com> wrote in messagenews:2bd121ca-4f88-4ddd-8e62-(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Aug 3, 5:54 pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
> > My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there is
> > a
> > huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and
> > the
> > bottom of the list. I have googled the problem and found it described in
> > several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. Any help
> > would
> > be appreciated.
>
> > XP SP3
> > IE8
> > Intel duo 2.2
> > 2gig memory
>
> I tend to forget the obvious first step:
>
> Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free
> malware detection programs:
>
> Malwarebytes (MBAM): *http://malwarebytes.org/
> SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): *http://www.superantispyware.com/
>
> They can be uninstalled later if desired.
>
> I automatically think that everyone does that first.

Replace "offending" with "suspicious" in my previous post.

On Aug 3, 8:57*pm, "Tim Meddick" <timmedd...@gawab.com> wrote:
> Jose,
> * * * * you will find that what you call a "negative number" as the "DisplayIcon"
> value is not a negative number at all, but a change to reference number from absolute
> order :
>
> e.g. *c:\windows\shell32.dll,69
>
> ...is the seventieth icon (the first being 0 (zero)).
>
> and to referenced number, i.e. each icon is given a numerical name, sometimes they
> are listed in straight order 1-100, etc, and sometimes not.
>
> But to define an icon by it's reference number in the 'Icon Group' part of the
> resource section of an executable :
>
> e.g. * c:\windows\shell32.dll,-151
>
> ...gives you the same icon as the first one.
>
> However, this could still be the cause of the problem you spoke about, but wanted you
> to know what the preceding "-" dash really signified.
>
> ==
>
> Cheers, * *Tim Meddick, * *Peckham, London. * *:-)
>
> "Jose" <jose_e...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:06f53c8b-8115-4293-9047-(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Aug 3, 5:54 pm, "bobster" <fau...@bogus.net> wrote:
>
> > My Add Remove list has just recently developed a problem wherein there is a
> > huge amount of black, blank space between the first part of the list and the
> > bottom of the list. I have googled the problem and found it described in
> > several listings but have not found a successful fix for it. Any help would
> > be appreciated.
>
> > XP SP3
> > IE8
> > Intel duo 2.2
> > 2gig memory
>
> I have seen big white space and it is usually caused by a problem in
> the Uninstall section of the registry - usually the DisplayIcon entry
> having a negative number (like -1 instead of 1).
>
> So... *can you recall when it worked last and what has been installed
> since? *AutoCAD, AutoDesk, Autoanything?
>
> Example of an improper DisplayIcon value in the registry for a
> recently installed or Autosomething program:
>
> C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,-1
>
> It should read:
>
> C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe,1
>
> You can look for the problem yourself by going here:
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
>
> and looking at all the {.....} entries for negative values in the
> DisplayIcon parameters. *Not all will have the DisplayIcon parameter
> which is fine. *You are looking for those with minus signs that need
> fixing.
>
> Every {.....} is some program that you will be able to see what it is
> by looking at the values. *You can remove just the minus sign for
> DisplayIcon parameter if you find one.
>
> Export/backup your registry first or be very careful of course.

Yeah - I was honed in on the AutoCAD stuff.

I understand the concept of the offsets, but I also see that I can
recreate the problem by changing a 1 to a -1
or a 0 to a -0 in places.

I have a -301, but if I change it to a 301, everything still works.

151 = -151. I get it.

If I change a 1 to a -1 (at least in the several I tried) things
break.

Other examples I read about all seemed to just be the -1 and change it
to a 1 thing.

Some installed programs don't even have the parameter. I can't
remember the other program example I read that was NOT AutoCAD, but
there was another culprit.

Sounds like what's his name and changing the icon for My Pictures a
while back - remember that?

I know what you mean though...