Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area + BSODs - Windows 8.1

sweetnjoe · Mar 21, 2014

http://i.imgur.com/a7k7pGi.jpg

This is what my desktop currently looks like when booted up, with my specs. I'm not sure when this happened, but any help is greatly appreciated:

Specs: Homebuilt AMD FX-8350 ATI Radeon HD7770 8 GB RAM 500 GB HDD Windows 8.1 64-bit (updated from Windows 8 System Builder-OEM)
Issues: I'm having a few issues with Windows 8.1 and don't understand how anything got shifted or changed, but here are my issues:

Fast User Switching doesn't appear to be working (no names on the start menu, no option to switch users on crtl+alt+delete)... never had this issue before updating to 8.1, and I do not have Pro, so I can't access the Group Policy stuff either... any ideas? I KNOW I used to be able to do this on regular Windows 8, so it's odd that its a feature that's been removed.
The Notification Area on the taskbar (bottom right) is not displaying ANY background tasks/Icons (Windows calls them "Notification Area Icons"), I only have the clock able to be enabled or disabled. I know others should be in there (AMD Catalyst Control Center, Spotify, Skype, etc.) and I know they are running, but I cannot access or enable ANYTHING to be used there now. And I used to see everything there. When I try to turn anything on in the notification settings, it states "Some settings are managed by your system administrator" and does not allow anything other than the clock to be enabled/disabled. (Note: I AM the system administrator)
Whenever I log on to my user profile, either via restart, or just log off/log on, my desktop is not visible. When I say "not visible". I mean I cannot SEE anything on it (see the first picture). If I look in Windows Explorer, I can definitely see my desktop items, and when I go to "Control Panel\Personalization" and click on "Change Desktop Icons" and uncheck/save/recheck/save, I can see my desktop icons on the desktop, but not before I do that (very odd).

Things I have tried: * I have tried enabling the Admin profile via cmd prompt and seeing if I could edit anything on that profile (I cannot, by the way) * I have very lightly tried to edit the registry, but I'm not sure if that is doing anything at all (it hasn't appeared to do anything thus far) * I have tried creating a new user profile, using the other family profiles, all of them appear to have these same UI issues now.
All the issues have to do with UI stuff not working, though. I don't really want to reformat or re-install if I don't have to...

This is all I see when right-clicking on the taskbar: http://i.imgur.com/cEa94A2.png
Notification Area Icons screen in Control Panel: http://i.imgur.com/5Kp2z2Q.png

Again, please note that up until a few months ago (around the time I finally updated to 8.1 -- I don't know if that actually caused the issue), this never was an issue on this PC. I really hope its just some messed up registry settings, but I'm at the point where I need help, please! I want to get my computer back to normal.

Thanks so much for your help!

LilBambi · Mar 21, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

Very strange. It looks at first glance as though you had knowingly or unknowingly reset the notification area icons.

If so, they should have repopulated as you opened your favorite programs that show up in the system tray notification area.

But from what you are saying it appears to NOT be doing that or they would have shown up before now.

And it seems to be hitting more areas than that as it doesn't let your administrator account do what it should by rights be able to do.

This could mean a bunged upgrade to 8.1 or having an infected computer with more than your average adware/PUP/malware.

Over time since the upgrade to 8.1, have these icons reappeared and then gone again at times?

Did the upgrade to 8.1 appear to hang, did you have to reboot in the middle of it, etc. Anything odd during the upgrade?

Are you using a very invasive cleaner program that is set to reset the notification area icons every time it is run?

Just some things to think about until jcgriff2 or one of the others can pop in with more helpful hints.

sweetnjoe · Mar 21, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

LilBambi said:
Very strange. It looks at first glance as though you had knowingly or unknowingly reset the notification area icons.

If so, they should have repopulated as you opened your favorite programs that show up in the system tray notification area.

But from what you are saying it appears to NOT be doing that or they would have shown up before now.

And it seems to be hitting more areas than that as it doesn't let your administrator account do what it should by rights be able to do.

This could mean a bunged upgrade to 8.1 or having an infected computer with more than your average adware/PUP/malware.

Over time since the upgrade to 8.1, have these icons reappeared and then gone again at times?

Did the upgrade to 8.1 appear to hang, did you have to reboot in the middle of it, etc. Anything odd during the upgrade?

Are you using a very invasive cleaner program that is set to reset the notification area icons every time it is run?

Just some things to think about until jcgriff2 or one of the others can pop in with more helpful hints.

Good questions :)

Nope -- never reset anything. I have tried reopening the applications that usually showed up there. They're still not populating there, as you suspected.

Yes, I'm a bit put off that it's telling me that I'm not the system administrator, because I am.

The 8.1 install appeared to go without a hitch, no hanging, no issues of any sort from what I saw. I noted recently in search for answers that a lot of this stuff is controlled by the "Local Group Policy" which is in Windows 8 Pro, but I only have Regular ol Windows 8, so I'm SOL there.

Nothing odd at all aside from these side effects (which I don't want to fully attribute to 8.1 -- but it appeared to happen around the same time is all I really meant from that.

I don't use anything invasive at all, so no to that.

I zipped something another forum had me do on my PC, maybe it's of more help to you all.

View attachment MiniTest.zip

LilBambi · Mar 21, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

I think that jcgriff2 et al have some great tools here to help narrow the problem down as well.

Please be patient as one of them comes along soon.

Glad we could at least hone in on some things for them and thanks for the MiniTest zip file.

usasma · Mar 21, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

I'd first suggest that you have the folks in the Security Arena have a look at the system.
Here's a link to the posting instructions: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/security-arena/2507-malware-removal-posting-instructions.html

If it comes back clean, I'd start w/
- DISM health/repair commands
- SFC.EXE /SCANNOW
- BSOD reports (we use them even though you're not having BSOD's)
- Admin Event Viewer log
- Backup your data
- and then a System Refresh for starters (a full Reset may become necessary later on)

sweetnjoe · Mar 21, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

Not a problem! I'll be patient, I promise! :)

Thanks for all your help!

sweetnjoe · Mar 21, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

usasma said:
I'd first suggest that you have the folks in the Security Arena have a look at the system.
Here's a link to the posting instructions: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/security-arena/2507-malware-removal-posting-instructions.html

If it comes back clean, I'd start w/
- DISM health/repair commands
- SFC.EXE /SCANNOW
- BSOD reports (we use them even though you're not having BSOD's)
- Admin Event Viewer log
- Backup your data
- and then a System Refresh for starters (a full Reset may become necessary later on)

Neither of those applications work...

DDS.com when I try to run it, states "DDS is not meant to run in Compatibility Mode. The program will now close". I checked and it doesn't appears to be in any type of compatibility mode...?
SecurityCheck.exe states that it is an Unsupported Operating System and it closes.

Should I go through the others?

Tekno Venus · Mar 21, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

sweetnjoe said:
DDS.com when I try to run it, states "DDS is not meant to run in Compatibility Mode. The program will now close". I checked and it doesn't appears to be in any type of compatibility mode...?
SecurityCheck.exe states that it is an Unsupported Operating System and it closes.

Should I go through the others?

Please hold on - I will contact Corrine, who wrote those instructions, to lend a hand.

Regards,
Stephen

Corrine · Mar 21, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

Hi, sweetnjoe.

Unfortunately, many of the tools we use have not been updated to work with Windows 8.1 which is why you were unable to run DDS.

Since your post at Reddit is from almost 3 months ago (Having some UI issues with Windows 8/8.1, need some help... : techsupport), I don't believe the problem you are experiencing is related to malware. Inn reviewing the AdwCleaner and JRT logs, they showed a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) and a file identified in one source as as a Trojan.FakeAV. However, I believe that finding is a false/positive.

Just to take another look, though, before following through with the additional instructions provided by usasma, please do the following:

Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to your desktop from here.

Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
In the last Setup window, UNcheck "Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO" but be sure a checkmark is placed next to
-- Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and
-- Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Click Finish.
If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
Once the program has loaded, check the following settings:
-- On the Scanner tab, check Perform quick scan.
-- On the Settings tab, Scanner Settings, leave the default boxes checked but change the drop-down boxes to Show in results list and check for removal.
-- Also on the Settings tab, under “Action for potentially unwanted programs (PUP)”, change the option to Show in results list and check for removal.
When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
Be sure that everything is checked, EXCEPT items in System Restore as shown in this sample:
Click Remove Selected.
When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart. (See the Note below)
The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
Please post contents of that file in your next reply.

** Note **

If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts. Click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.

sweetnjoe · Mar 22, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

Corrine said:
Hi, sweetnjoe.

Unfortunately, many of the tools we use have not been updated to work with Windows 8.1 which is why you were unable to run DDS.

Since your post at Reddit is from almost 3 months ago (Having some UI issues with Windows 8/8.1, need some help... : techsupport), I don't believe the problem you are experiencing is related to malware. Inn reviewing the AdwCleaner and JRT logs, they showed a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) and a file identified in one source as as a Trojan.FakeAV. However, I believe that finding is a false/positive.

Just to take another look, though, before following through with the additional instructions provided by usasma, please do the following:

Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to your desktop from here.

Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.

In the last Setup window, UNcheck "Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO" but be sure a checkmark is placed next to
-- Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and
-- Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

Click Finish.

If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.

Once the program has loaded, check the following settings:
-- On the Scanner tab, check Perform quick scan.
-- On the Settings tab, Scanner Settings, leave the default boxes checked but change the drop-down boxes to Show in results list and check for removal.
-- Also on the Settings tab, under “Action for potentially unwanted programs (PUP)”, change the option to Show in results list and check for removal.

When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.

Be sure that everything is checked, EXCEPT items in System Restore as shown in this sample:

Click Remove Selected.

When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart. (See the Note below)

The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.

Please post contents of that file in your next reply.

** Note **

If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts. Click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.

Corrine... you are a godsend! That definitely did the trick for the notification area. MBAM did find some wonky registry stuff going on with the Notification area, and I promptly rebooted and...

http://i.imgur.com/R8iuehs.jpg

You rock!

Code:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.75.0.1300www.malwarebytes.org


Database version: v2014.03.21.10


Windows 8 x64 NTFS
Internet Explorer 11.0.9600.16521
Joe :: FAMILY-PC [administrator]


3/21/2014 11:55:44 PM
mbam-log-2014-03-21 (23-55-44).txt


Scan type: Quick scan
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM | P2P
Scan options disabled: 
Objects scanned: 371464
Time elapsed: 16 minute(s), 4 second(s)


Memory Processes Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)


Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)


Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)


Registry Values Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)


Registry Data Items Detected: 4
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer|NoRun (PUM.Hijack.Run) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and repaired successfully.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer|NoTrayItemsDisplay (Hijack.Tray) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and repaired successfully.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System|DisableTaskMgr (PUM.Hijack.TaskManager) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and repaired successfully.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System|DisableRegistryTools (PUM.Hijack.Regedit) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and repaired successfully.


Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)


Files Detected: 2
C:\Users\Joe\AppData\Local\Temp\nsd1EA8.tmp (PUP.Optional.Somoto) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Users\Joe\AppData\Local\Temp\nsqE565.tmp (PUP.Optional.Somoto) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.


(end)

Now the only issue I have remaining that is still bugging me is my desktop icons. They're still bugging out and not showing at restart, and now this must be considered probably something I did wrong with some setting somewhere. Here's the thing though -- and maybe this will help: I cannot right click on the background. No submenu pops up as it always has before. I can do the left-click+hold and drag rectangles on the desktop, but right clicking for a menu does not work. It's very odd.

Once that's cleared up, I can honestly consider this solved. You definitely saved me a whole bunch of grief over this -- been bugging me for months (as you've seen!)

LilBambi · Mar 22, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

Awesome, Corrine! :hug:

sweetnjoe, regarding the Desktop icons, have you tried the following:

A. Right Click on Desktop
B. When the menu appears, choose View Option
C. Select/Check "Show Desktop Icons"
D. Done

Let us know if that helps.

LilBambi · Mar 22, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

I would also strongly suggest rerunning AdwCleaner now that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has taken care of the other problem.

Also, you should run a Temp file cleaner such as CCleaner (not the registry section, just use the main and applications tab).

The First time you will likely want it to have all items under the Internet Explorer on main tab, and Firefox and/or Chrome on the Applications menu.

After the main time you run it, you can adjust your settings in CCleaner to maybe leave cookies, session, history, as desired for future runs. You may also want to adjust it so you can retain recently open files, etc. on the main tab.

I would strongly suggest allowing it to add CCleaner to the Recycle Bin menu during installation so you can more easily run it later after closing browsers for the day and just right click on the Recycle Bin and choose Run CCleaner from the drop down menu.

sweetnjoe · Mar 22, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

LilBambi said:
Awesome, Corrine! :hug:

sweetnjoe, regarding the Desktop icons, have you tried the following:

A. Right Click on Desktop
B. When the menu appears, choose View Option
C. Select/Check "Show Desktop Icons"
D. Done

Let us know if that helps.

Alas, as I said in my last reply, I can't right-click on the desktop

Very strange!

I'll re-run the others now, thanks for the suggestion!

Tekno Venus · Mar 22, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

Hi,

I would like to see the results of an SFC Scan if possible please.

SFC Scan

Press the Windows Key on your keyboard and X to open up the Power User Tasks Menu
Click (or tap) Command Prompt (admin)
When command prompt opens, copy and paste the following commands into it, press enter after each

sfc /scannow

Wait for this to finish before you continue (approximately 15 minutes)

copy %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log %userprofile%\Desktop\cbs.txt
This will create a file, cbs.txt on your Desktop. Please attach this to your next post.

Stephen

LilBambi · Mar 22, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

Agreed Stephen!

Was hoping that would have been corrected with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware so I suggested that fix for the Desktop Items.

sweetnjoe, are you able to get into the Control Panel at all?

Also, is it possible to open regedit.exe by going to the Metro Start page and simply start typing regedit and choosing regedit from the results that come up?

If so, you might be able to fix being able to right click, with a registry fix as follows with Regedit open:

A. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

B. Then Right-click in the right side window pane

C. Create a new 32-Bit DWORD value. Give it a the name: NoViewContextMenu.

D. Input a value of 0 to re-enable context menu, or you could simply delete the: NoViewContextMenu.

E. Done.

Hopefully IF you can get regedit to open, you can do this. If not, you will definitely need to run the sfc /scannow first as Stephen laid out. If it's possible to do the sfc /scannow it would be very good anyway since there may be other issues you are not aware of.

Corrine · Mar 22, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

sweetnjoe said:
Corrine... you are a godsend! That definitely did the trick for the notification area. MBAM did find some wonky registry stuff going on with the Notification area, and I promptly rebooted and...

It wasn't me but the team that keeps Malwarebytes on top of the game! Note: Malwarebytes Pro is currently a lifetime license for $29.95, but ONLY until version 2 is released -- although Marcin did say there would be ~1,000 lifetime licenses available about the time of v2 release. Version 2 is currently completing beta testing with the last update being a Release Candidate.

I agree with LilBambi's suggestion to run AdwCleaner and the Junkware Removal Tool again.

LilBambi · Mar 23, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

sweetnjoe? Is everything OK?

LilBambi · Mar 30, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

Hope the lack of response means all is well.

sweetnjoe · Apr 2, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

LilBambi said:
Hope the lack of response means all is well.

Yes, all was well :) Until I started running Plex Media Server from my PC to my Roku I just got. Every so often (and a lot more frequently now) I get a BSOD while locally streaming media to my Roku. I've monitored temps, and nothing seems to be happening too oddly... but I get a WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR BSOD, and have to restart. This happened with frequent media files. I've attached a zip of the Minidump folder for you gusy as you're smarter than me with this stuff. I can old hope it's not something too major. I'd really like to stream stuff via Plex as I just cut the cable cord for this very reason.

Thanks so much in advance again! You guys have rocked!

Minidump: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4zathcjqxin3939/minidump.zip

usasma · Apr 3, 2014

re: Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area - Windows 8.1

If this doesn't fix things, we'll move the topic over to the BSOD forums.

1)

AMD OverDrive (AODDriver2.sys) is either a stand-alone application, or a component of the AMD VISION Engine Control Center. This driver is known to cause BSOD's on some Windows systems.
NOTE: these symptoms were from the previous release of OverDrive. The new release uses the same driver name, but is dated from 4 November 2013.

Please un-install all AMD/ATI video stuff from Control Panel...Programs...Un-install a program
Then, download (but DO NOT install) a fresh copy of the ATI drivers from Global Provider of Innovative Graphics, Processors and Media Solutions | AMD (in the upper right corner of the page)
Use this procedure to install the DRIVER ONLY: ATI video cards - DRIVER ONLY installation procedure - Sysnative Forums

If the device (AODDriver or AODDriver4.01) remains a problem, open Device Manager, select the "View" item.
Then select "Show hidden devices" and scroll down to the Non-Plug and Play Drivers section.
Locate the AODDriver entry, right click on it and select "Un-install". Reboot for changes to take affect.

Click to expand...

Sometimes the driver remains and continues to cause BSOD's. If this is the case for you, post back and we'll give further instructions for safely removing it.

If overclocking, please stop. Remove the overclock and return the system to stock/standard values while we're troubleshooting. Once the system is stable again, feel free to resume the overclocking.

2) Uninstall the Logitech software (temporarily) - as it dates from 2009
See if that helps. Feel free to reinstall the latest, Win8.1 compatible version of the Logitech software after the system has been stabilized

3) Remove the Logitech devices and test with other devices (such as a standard PS2/USB mouse and keyboard.

Issues with Desktop & Taskbar Notification Area + BSODs - Windows 8.1

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Security Analyst

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Microsoft MVP,
Security Analyst