blinking hourglass next to curser

[Jim Neitzel]

About a week ago I started seeing a blinking hourglass
next to the curser. If a program is loading the
hourglass is constant, but any other time the hourglass
blinks. Where did it come from and how do I get rid of
it?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Malke]

About a week ago I started seeing a blinking hourglass
next to the curser. If a program is loading the
hourglass is constant, but any other time the hourglass
blinks. Where did it come from and how do I get rid of
it?

Thanks,

Jim

Jim, you have some program and/or process running in the background. Do
the normal troubleshooting:

1) scan with current antivirus ("current" means a version not earlier
than 2002 but using updated virus definitions); 2) remove spyware with
Spybot Search & Destroy (www.safer-networking.org) and Ad-aware
(www.lavasoftusa.com). These programs are free, so use them both since
they complement each other. You may also want to run CWShredder and
HijackThis from http://aumha.org/freeware.htm. Although CWShredder is
no longer being updated, it will still clean older variants of the
CoolWebSearch malware. Always read the instructions before running a
spyware removal tool. Be sure to update these programs before running,
and it is a good idea to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode; 3) delete
temporary and Temporary Internet Files; 4) stop unnecessary
services/programs from starting with Windows - see www.blackviper.com
for services info and www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm for
programs info; 5) look in Event Viewer for clues; 6) make sure you've
visited Windows Update and applied all security patches. Do not install
driver updates from Windows Update; 7) run a firewall.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Malke,

Thanks for your help. The problem is solved. I was
somewhat discouraged about it at first. I tried
everything you suggested with no success. Then I
upgraded Ad-Aware to Ad-Aware SE. Ad-Aware SE detected
the problem and fixed it.

Thanks again.

Jim

-----Original Message-----


Jim, you have some program and/or process running in the background. Do
the normal troubleshooting:

1) scan with current antivirus ("current" means a version not earlier
than 2002 but using updated virus definitions); 2) remove spyware with
Spybot Search & Destroy (www.safer-networking.org) and Ad-aware
(www.lavasoftusa.com). These programs are free, so use them both since
they complement each other. You may also want to run CWShredder and
HijackThis from http://aumha.org/freeware.htm. Although CWShredder is
no longer being updated, it will still clean older variants of the
CoolWebSearch malware. Always read the instructions before running a
spyware removal tool. Be sure to update these programs before running,
and it is a good idea to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode; 3) delete
temporary and Temporary Internet Files; 4) stop unnecessary
services/programs from starting with Windows - see www.blackviper.com
for services info and www.pacs-

portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm for

 

[Malke]

Malke,

Thanks for your help. The problem is solved. I was
somewhat discouraged about it at first. I tried
everything you suggested with no success. Then I
upgraded Ad-Aware to Ad-Aware SE. Ad-Aware SE detected
the problem and fixed it.

Thanks again.

Fabulous! I'm glad you got it sorted, and thanks for letting me know.

Stay safe,

Malke