Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Strange USB Selections - HELP

by Jul 26, 2013 10:34PM PDT

Hi,

I am running the latest XP and noticed some strange issues when I plug in any USB device. When XP locates a new device a box pops up (As it should) and asks how you want to handle the device.

As of a few weeks ago there are strange entries at the top of the list. Unreadable characters and symbols.

No virus, No Malware, No other issues. I will try to include a screen shot for you to see

I would appreciate help on fixing this problem as there are underlying errors causing this

Here is a link to the USB screen capture
<span id="INSERTION_MARKER">http://s21.postimg.org/yz783wrl3/USB_Problem.jpg

Discussion is locked

2 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Answer
Could be a corrupt system file
by Jul 26, 2013 11:14PM PDT

You can check for corrupted system files. Open an administrator command prompt and run SFC if the above doesn't help. Click START, then type CMD in the search box, right-click CMD.EXE and click Run as administrator. Then from the command prompt type sfc /scannow.
-
Good luck.

- Collapse -
Answer
While I know this one.
by Forum moderator Jul 27, 2013 2:26AM PDT

I can't fit the repair steps in this small box. That list is populated from some registry key and with all the registry cleaners (that do damage!) and malware out there I strongly suggest you ignore this cosmetic error.

Reloading the OS does fix it.

And again, no. The system I use to fix it does not fit in 3 paragraphs so I have to write, install the OS.
Bob

Back to Windows Legacy OS forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info