Mouse pointer icon changes on system start

[Guest]

I may have downloaded a malicious software. My mouse pointer icon and mouse
pointer wait icon changes on startup to a brushed silver icon about
one-fourth inch square with the number 5 on it. (This started when I opened a
WMP11 radio station.) I can change the pointers back to an arrow in Control
Panel but if I restart the computer the new icon returns just after entering
the user password. Also, if changed to a new user, this strange icon returns.
In every case, it can be corrected in CP Mouse for the on duration but it is
a terrible nuisance.

I do not want to reload the operating system if at all possible. Returning
to earlier system control points does no good in fixing the problem.

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

I may have downloaded a malicious software.
[...]
I do not want to reload the operating system if at all possible.

Fiddling around with the mouse pointer settings does not clean your
system. "Cleaning a Compromised System"
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/columns/secmgmt/sm0504.mspx

 

[Elmo]

I may have downloaded a malicious software. My mouse pointer icon and mouse
pointer wait icon changes on startup to a brushed silver icon about
one-fourth inch square with the number 5 on it. (This started when I opened a
WMP11 radio station.) I can change the pointers back to an arrow in Control
Panel but if I restart the computer the new icon returns just after entering
the user password. Also, if changed to a new user, this strange icon returns.
In every case, it can be corrected in CP Mouse for the on duration but it is
a terrible nuisance.

I do not want to reload the operating system if at all possible. Returning
to earlier system control points does no good in fixing the problem.

Use System Restore to revert to a date before the change was made.

Spybot has a program named Teatimer that would alert you to registry
changes. Then if you visit a site and Teatimer alerts you to a change
you, simply disallow the change.