How to stop icon chasing?

Sounds like you're seeing a symptom of a nasty computer virus known as the Magistr Worm. There are several variations of this worm, which has been around for nearly a year and is usually spread through infected e-mail files.

What makes this particular virus such a headache is that it has been programmed to do its damage in a series of time-released doses. Instead of wreaking havoc all at once, which is more easily noticed by computer users, the Magistr does a little bit here and there.

A result is that new problems continue to unfold for months before you might realize your computer is infected.

For a more complete discussion of the kind of trouble this virus can cause, point your Web browser to http://security response.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.magistr.24876@mm.html.

The trouble you're having with the "moving" icons usually appears after your computer has been infected for about two months. On odd days of the week, the virus causes the desktop icons to be repositioned whenever the mouse pointer approaches, giving the impression that the icons are "running away" from the pointer.

While this problem may sound almost whimsical, it's likely that by the time the virus reaches this stage, it has already done more serious damage, such as overwriting some files, changing the contents of some Word or text documents and sending infected e-mails to some people it has found in your e-mail program's address book.

To eradicate the virus, you'll need to install and run anti-virus software such as Norton Anti-Virus (www.symantec. com/product) or McAfee VirusScan (www.mcafee.com).

If the virus scan fails to show up anything, I would look for a "joke-ware" program.

Look in the startup and background programs for unusual programs.

If you are running W98, or Me, you can use msconfig to review all the programs that load at startup.

Chas

Ref answer number one - it is very good, but do not install any AV software on your PC if it has a virus already. This can hose your machine sometimes. Not worth the chance. Norton provides this warning during the install. Use an online scanner such as the ones at www.trendmicro.com or www.pandasoftware.com . Download the tools they provide to remove the virus(es). Yo can also get a DOS AV scanner from www.f-prot.com . It will run on two floppies. And since it runs n DOS, it is fast and does an excellent job of removing many virues. NOTE: When you run the online or DOS scanners, do not check auto delete, or auto fix, etc. Run it and get the list of files first, then decide what to do. For the magistr bug, go to:
http://www.antivirus.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=PE_MAGISTR.B (remove spaces or %20 from URL if present). This is for magistr.b. You have to know which magistr you have first before you can get the right tool.

I know, I know - you asked what time it is and I told you how to build a clock. Couldn't help myself. E-mail me at cridley@drtel.net for info on how to use F-Prot DOS scanner.

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