Need help removing unknown program

[Guest]

I am running Windows MCE, with all the latest updates. Adaware, Spybot S&D,
and AVG Anti-Virus all report there are no problems with my system.

My problem is, a program keeps starting up, roughly every 20 minutes or so,
running for a split second or so, and then closing itself. It doesn't have a
window, it just appears in the taskbar and steals focus from whatever
application I'm running (including full screen programs, taking me back to
the desktop which is very annoying). There is no name in the taskbar, and it
has a non-distinctive icon. According to Zone Alarm it doesn't try to
access the internet. I can't identify the program in the task manager,
because it disappears too quickly. Can anyone tell me how I can identify
whatever this is so I can remove it?

 

[JS]

I am running Windows MCE, with all the latest updates. Adaware, Spybot S&D,
and AVG Anti-Virus all report there are no problems with my system.

My problem is, a program keeps starting up, roughly every 20 minutes or so,
running for a split second or so, and then closing itself. It doesn't have a
window, it just appears in the taskbar and steals focus from whatever
application I'm running (including full screen programs, taking me back to
the desktop which is very annoying). There is no name in the taskbar, and it
has a non-distinctive icon. According to Zone Alarm it doesn't try to
access the internet. I can't identify the program in the task manager,
because it disappears too quickly. Can anyone tell me how I can identify
whatever this is so I can remove it?

Hi nathan

Why not just leave Task Manager open on the Processes tab, then hit the
Print Screen key when the ghostly process appears to take a screengrab.

You can then paste this into Paint to get a look at the process's name.

 

[Jon]

Check the current list of processes in Task Manager to make sure you can
identify each one (use Google for the others) The process may be
continuously running (or another process which periodically starts up the
program).

Check your startup programs [Start > run > msconfig > startup tab]
Again ensure you can identify which program each one is associated with -
Google for the remainder

Check any scheduled tasks

Process Explorer is also a handy tool in seeing which process starts which
program, in real time

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml


Jon

 

[PA Bear]

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/tshoot.htm
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/