Please Help, desktop inaccessible issue

[Cyberia123]

Hello, I'm having a new issue with my main desktop pc.

PROBLEM: At startup the desktop is drawn but the taskbar is not accessible by mouse. Desktop icons are clickable and I can launch programs with a double-click but the program window is inaccessible with the mouse. I CAN open the taskbar with the Windows Key. The system is NOT locked. Taskmanager shows system idle.

Windows 7 - Fully Updated
i5-2500K @ 4.5Ghz (been ROCK stable here for 2 years)
32GB Corsair RAM
AMD HD6970


WORKAROUND: CTRL-ALT-DEL to the logon screen and click CANCEL twice (the first click nothing happens) and you get returned to the desktop and the desktop works for a while....

ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS:
Drag-and-Drop does not work at all. You can click and item and drag it, but when you release it nothing happens. This happens on the desktop, in Explorer, and in programs like Firefox.

Programs that open a window or dialog box (games, Firefox, Kaspersky) almost always trigger the problem and you have to Ctrl-Alt-Del and CANCEL x2

Firefox flashplayer videos (YouTube) ALWAYS causes the problem.

THE PROBLEM OCCURS EVEN IN SAFE MODE.


ATTEMPTED FIXES (all unsuccessful)
Uninstalled video drivers --> Reboot (same problem) --> Reinstall video drivers --> Reboot (same problem)
Uninstalled mouse drivers --> Reboot (same problem) --> Reinstall mouse drivers --> Reboot (same problem)
Uninstalled Kaspersky Virus Scanner --> Reboot (same problem) --> Reinstall Kaspersky Virus Scanner --> Reboot (same problem)
Uninstalled Firefox --> Reboot (same problem) --> Reinstall Firefox --> Reboot (same problem)

Event Log is clean
Attempted Windows Repair successfully but same problem occurs.
Safe Mode does not help the problem occurs there too.

Pulled video card (HD6970) blew out the fins and cooler, reinstalled, same problem.
Swapped to a new video card (HD5870) same problem.

Swapped to a new keyboard, same problem.

System Restored to an image a month old, same problem (and the problem is very recent, maybe 2 days now, so the image is safe)

Upon shutdown the system ALWAYS says "Waiting for a program to close, but none is listed and all desktop apps are closed" This might not be related, but maybe....

Turned off the Aero desktop, same problem.

Dxdiag.exe shows no problems, nor does any other diagnostics.


GUESSES
I don't think it's related to the video card or drivers. It might be something deep in the Windows video subsystems which will probably require a reinstall (which I just don't wanna do because ugh)

I suspect maybeee there is a service (or something) hanging at startup and the actual "system desktop" is getting hung or waiting for something and so the "user desktop" basically loses system focus from time to time, which is why the CTRL-ALT-DEL and CANCEL x2 works. CRTL brings me to the "system desktop" and the first click puts the focus there and then the second click depresses the CANCEL button.

But I don't know how to diagnose this or find out what is hanging (everything WORKS, once you get the desktop back, but new windows run the risk of losing desktop focus.)

Can I load a Super-Safe-Mode with NO services running?

Is it Hardware?

Please help.
Cyberia

 

[C1]

Oooops... I see that you already attempted a repair.

A guess is that there is some process running that is the cause. When you shut down, then the system shouldnt be putting up a notification about waiting for a process to close (like the kind of notification you are getting).

Look in MSCONFIG and turn everything off in STARTUP.

Also, you can use MSCONFIG for diagnostics by turning stuff off selectively at startup

http://www.pstnet.com/support/kb.asp?TopicID=2621

Do a google search about use of MSCONFIG for diagnosing issues. Some people have done very creative methodologies for isolating software configuration issues.

Also, remember that you can turn off stuff in BIOS. When something like you are experiencing happens, then I start in the BIOS and turn off network, modems, any ports not being used/needed or mandatory for running including even audio. Also verify the settings in the BIOS for anything that doesnt seemingly make sense. You may even want to reset to "default" BIOS settings for openers. Verify in your MB manual as to what settings do.

 

[Virgorising]

I too am heartened you attempted a repair install, but sad it changed nothing. Software conflicts are beasts.

Perhaps a longshot, but might you be infected?

Do you remember doing anything specific before this started? New software? Updates?

 

[Cyberia123]

I attempted a Repair from the F5 screens at boot. It did not require the Windows DVD. But that didn't solve the problem. When I tried to do the Repair according to the link you gave Windows gave an error after the "Upgrade" option that this setup was not for the same version of Windows 7, and aborted. It is my original OEM Win7 disk, but I have installed SP1 since then.

I removed the overclock, didn't help.

I turned off UAC, didn't help.

Yes, I have run a full virus scan, completely clean.

I DID find a new workaround... I don't need to click Ctrl-Alt-Del, I can just click an icon that requires Adminstrator approval and the UAC dialog appears, and I can click Yes OR No (usually No so I dont actually have to close the program) and the desktop returns to responsiveness for a while, though drag and drop is broken even when things work otherwise.

Sounds like I'm going to have to buy a new Win7 sp1 disk, and flat out reinstall from scratch, even wiping the SSD.

fuuuuuu......

 

[Virgorising]

I tried to do the Repair according to the link you gave Windows gave an error after the "Upgrade" option that this setup was not for the same version of Windows 7, and aborted. It is my original OEM Win7 disk, but I have installed SP1 since then.

I am confused, you have yr original media, yes? Using it, didn't you have a repair option?

And, have you run chkdsk?

Sounds like I'm going to have to buy a new Win7 sp1 disk, and flat out reinstall from scratch, even wiping the SSD.

I honestly think this is premature.

 

[Cyberia123]

The Repair option comes after the Upgrade option, but when I click Upgrade it runs a compatibility check and reports:

Your current version of Windows is more recent than the version you are trying to upgrade to. Windows cannot complete the upgrade.

I'll see if I have another OEM disk around, they look alike maybe I picked the wrong one. Could it be that I've installed SP1 on the computer and the disk is for the original Win7?

Can I run chkdsk on a SSD?

 

[Virgorising]

The Repair option comes after the Upgrade option, but when I click Upgrade it runs a compatibility check and reports: Your current version of Windows is more recent than the version you are trying to upgrade to. Windows cannot complete the upgrade.

If that is the media you used for the initial installation, you should be able to do a repair of yr OS using it.

I'll see if I have another OEM disk around, they look alike maybe I picked the wrong one. Could it be that I've installed SP1 on the computer and the disk is for the original Win7?

I think that should not preclude your doing a repair installation.

Can I run chkdsk on a SSD?

You can indeed.
__________________________________________
Edit:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

 

[MongGrel]

I am confused, you have yr original media, yes? Using it, didn't you have a repair option?

And, have you run chkdsk?



I honestly think this is premature.

No offense, but you can't even figure out how to get your computer into AHCI mode.

Should you be distributing advice ?

 

[MongGrel]

I saw one from an image, was that from a restore point ?

 

[Virgorising]

wrong post response.

 

[Virgorising]

No offense, but you can't even figure out how to get your computer into AHCI mode.

Should you be distributing advice ?

However hell bent....you are shooting blanks.

 

[Cyberia123]

I also tried using System Restore and a month old image same problem.

 

[Virgorising]

I also tried using System Restore and a month old image same problem.

Must be your call, but I would hang in and try to do a proper repair install with the original media.

I would also get and run the latest build of MBAM, the free version will do just fine:

http://www.malwarebytes.org/free/
An AV is never enough.

You might try first running this in a cmd: sfc /scannow

 

[Cyberia123]

chkdsk did not find any problems

sfc /scannow did not find any problems

MBAM found 6 items and removed them all, but the problem persists. Thanks for it though.

Still working on a Repair disk.

 

[C1]

While researching, PC Magazine had an article on how to accomplish a "Repair". In the comments were some people who reported the problem about not being able to repair after installing a service pack (SP). Some people were able to proceed after uninstalling the SP. You might want to try that at some point and retry the repair, but that is getting to be lots off work for something that might not pan out (ie, it's competitive with the work involved with backup & reinstall).

Sounds like what you will end up doing will depend on your level of frustration. My experience has been that eventually you'll uncover the issue, but it will take some days. Since the system isnt catastrophic, I would just keep working on it over time as you get new information and ideas to try.

 

[Ketchup]

chkdsk did not find any problems

sfc /scannow did not find any problems

MBAM found 6 items and removed them all, but the problem persists. Thanks for it though.

Still working on a Repair disk.

Do you have a rough idea of what MBAM found?

How long have you had this issue?

 

[Virgorising]

While researching, PC Magazine had an article on how to accomplish a "Repair". In the comments were some people who reported the problem about not being able to repair after installing a service pack (SP). Some people were able to proceed after uninstalling the SP. You might want to try that at some point and retry the repair, but that is getting to be lots off work for something that might not pan out (ie, it's competitive with the work involved with backup & reinstall).

Sounds like what you will end up doing will depend on your level of frustration. My experience has been that eventually you'll uncover the issue, but it will take some days. Since the system isnt catastrophic, I would just keep working on it over time as you get new information and ideas to try.

Pls see the link I put up in #7. About as thorough on this issue as any on the planet.

 

[MongGrel]

However hell bent....you are shooting blanks.

I'm not hell bent, just pointing out the obvious.

 

[Virgorising]

Do you have a rough idea of what MBAM found?

Wow. GOOD QUESTION! He should put a screenie of his quarantine folder up.

I am completely unclear why he is having issues doing a repair install. A while back, I hadda do one on my WD black....long after I had SP1 and many patches past that, and it went flawlessly.

Done several on the systems of friends and colleagues. Never a problem.

 

[Cyberia123]

There are 6 entries:

PUP.Optional.OpenCandy
PUP.Optional.OpenCandy
PUP.Optional.Conduit.A
PUP.Optional.PCPerformer.A
PUP.Optional.InstallBrain.A
PUP.Optional.OpenCandy

 

[Cyberia123]

I've also noticed the issue prevents my mouse icon from hiding in MPC when watching a video fullscreen.

Some kind of layering issue with drawing windows in general, I'm guessing.

Started yesterday morning.

 

[Ketchup]

There are 6 entries:

PUP.Optional.OpenCandy
PUP.Optional.OpenCandy
PUP.Optional.Conduit.A
PUP.Optional.PCPerformer.A
PUP.Optional.InstallBrain.A
PUP.Optional.OpenCandy

Thanks. Shouldn't be affecting the taskbar at all.

Did you find what was in the startup of msconfig yet?

Do you remember anything else strange when this started?

 

[Virgorising]

There are 6 entries:

PUP.Optional.OpenCandy
PUP.Optional.OpenCandy
PUP.Optional.Conduit.A
PUP.Optional.PCPerformer.A
PUP.Optional.InstallBrain.A
PUP.Optional.OpenCandy

Those don look dangerous to me.

I might download and run ComboFix....it is compatible with W7.

Only get it here;

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/combofix/dl/12/

 

[Cyberia123]

Thanks. Shouldn't be affecting the taskbar at all.

Did you find what was in the startup of msconfig yet?

Do you remember anything else strange when this started?

It's not just the taskbar, its games that draw a overlay or HUD too, they lock up until you CTRL-Alt_Del and cancel. And MPC can't hide the mouse icon during fullscreen. And worst of all, drag-and-drop doesn't work at all, the dropped items just disappear.

Overlay problem?

I've used msconfig to boot to a minimal safe boot and the problem is still there.

The only thing odd when this happened was a popup from WinRar that the trial was over. I don't think that's it, but I have uninstalled winrar anyway and run CCCleaner on the registry.

 

[Bubbaleone]

It's not just the taskbar, its games that draw a overlay or HUD too, they lock up until you CTRL-Alt_Del and cancel. And MPC can't hide the mouse icon during fullscreen. And worst of all, drag-and-drop doesn't work at all, the dropped items just disappear.

Overlay problem?

I've used msconfig to boot to a minimal safe boot and the problem is still there.

The only thing odd when this happened was a popup from WinRar that the trial was over. I don't think that's it, but I have uninstalled winrar anyway and run CCCleaner on the registry.

Among the PUPs you list Conduit, which is absolutely one of the most system damaging and difficult to remove PUPs ever written. An excellent source of guides and tools is available on Malwarebytes website. As an example, here are removal guides for just two of the PUPs you're reporting and there are many more available:

PUP.Optional.OpenCandy Removal Guide

PUP.Optional.Conduit removal instructions

Another excellent source of tools and knowledge is the BleepingComputer website; authors of ComboFix. Understand that the majority of PUPs out there today will be detected if you run a scan using malwarebytes or similar softwares. These generally are capable of removing or quarantining the offending code but not capable of repairing system files that the PUP has altered (damaged).

There's no way to know the extent of (any) potential system damage until every last vestige of any PUP has been removed. Once that's been accomplished then you can perform an in-place upgrade to repair the damage, but remember this cardinal rule: The media must be the same bitness and service pack version as the system being repaired.

.