explorer.exe - Opens c:\program files\common after reboot.

[Guest]

Every time I boot up my XP Home computer, a window opens calls c:\program
files\common. If I right click and go to process, I am brought to
explorer.exe in task manager. How can I stop this window from opening?
There is nothing in my start up folder. Thanks

 

[Rock]

Every time I boot up my XP Home computer, a window opens calls c:\program
files\common. If I right click and go to process, I am brought to
explorer.exe in task manager. How can I stop this window from opening?
There is nothing in my start up folder. Thanks

Download Autoruns from Microsoft. That will show you where everything that
runs at startup is loading from.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/Autoruns.mspx

There could be an entry in the Run key in the registry that is missing a
quote. Look the entries here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

 

[PA Bear]

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

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://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
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://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for expert
analysis, not here.**

If the 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.