Back around late November I posted looking for advice on recovering deleted files.
Dan Penny posted and suggested Recuva, even posted a link! No wonder I like this forum, thanks again Dan!
Between me starting the thread and Dan's reply, I tried a freeware app, Pareto Logic.
As that was giving signs that I would be waiting around 6 hours for it to complete its scan of the drive, I paused it, and verified Dan's recommendation in a very short time. I got 5 of 6 files back, and as they were fat video files I was chuffed.
I subsequently removed it (Pareto), ... well I think I did.
Ever since, at random intervals, probably every 2 or 3 days, I get the attached dialog popping up. It makes the noise Windows uses when it decides you can't do what you are trying to. (Try deleting an open Word doc from My Documents, that is the noise.)
When I hear that noise I know what will be on the screen, even if I am in another room.
It is not the most difficult problem, nothing else seems affected, it is still irritating.
I have tried the path indicated, and there is no longer a folder in Common Files
I suspect it is a registry issue. One of those "free scan" downloads found 522 errors in my registry, and for a mere $39.95 USD, it would remove all of them. Of course, unlike CCleaner, it doesn't tell you what they are. And I suspect 522 is a wild exaggeration. CCleaner is the only app I trust when it comes to the registry. Though it shows you the problems it finds (and it did find a few), it doesn't create a log for me to post. All I have done so far is deleting the DLL errors.
Basically I only trust CCleaner's Registry component when I am under guidance of a DAL moderater.
The system is Xp Home SP3, and it was installed on a new drive around 27 October, another reason I think that figure, 522, is hard to believe.
Any way I will upload the pdf showing the error and wait for one of the guru's to reply.

Seems to be a lot of differing opinions about whether or not Pareto Logic is a scam.

I agree with your assessment of 522 being a wild claim. Sadly, many registry programs base their quality on the number of so called "errors" they finds when in fact, the vast majority of those findings are not errors and cause no problems if left in the registry. Many of my colleagues shun all registry cleaners. I am like you and only trust CCleaner's simply because it is NOT very aggressive - but I still believe it should be used judiciously. Others, Dan being one, like and have used other cleaners with no problems. In any event, I am leery of using any cleaner the first time on any machine - especially on a machine that has been in use for a long time.

The obvious place to look first is in your Start Menu's Startup folder. If there delete it. If not, then it may be a registry problem, but try this first.

Pursuant to Digerati's opening statement, I would stay away from ParatoLogic in this realm. They have some steps to take before it's proven and verified.

Hi Digerati, and Hi Dan.
There was nothing to do with Pareto in the Startup folder, but it was in Scheduled tasks.
I don't know whether Pareto Logic is a scam, but the fact that Digerati was able to post a link is a good reason to avoid. Plus Recuva did in moments what Pareto looked like taking 5 or 6 hours is a big thumbs down. Why use a pig when there is a thoroughbred available?
And as far as Registry Cleaners I think it was Digerati who originally warned me against their in discriminant use. Plus I like CCleaner in this respect, it shows you the "errors" and asks what you want to do. From memory it offers to backup the registry before you do anything, which I don't intend atm.
Why would a recovery app being in scheduled tasks? That is a little smelly

And Digerati, this is off topic ... are you aware of discussions, like the one you linked me to, about IMDB.com dropping tracking cookies in weird places. In my case it hides in the App Data, of either Dreamweaver, or Flash Player, not where a cookie should be, unless it is being deliberately hidden. And this was after I had blocked cookies from that site with Firefox. SuperAntiSpyware finds it each time, I think I will just boycott the site. I mentioned this on the Mozillazine forum and one of the mods said there was some discussions going on. Their board is having problems atm, and every time I log in I get logged out immediately.

Thanks for pointing me at Scheduled tasks, It would never have occurred to me to look there.
So it would appears this problem has been resolved.
Thanks to you both.

I've not heard of malicous IMDB cookies specifically, but it is possible - Some are certainly used though their presence does not automatically mean IMDB cookies are malicious. I have heard quite a bit recently about malicious Flash Cookies so that is something to watch for. I note CCleaner does clean Flash Cookies.

The fact that the cookie gets hidden where most A/V Spyware apps appear not to look looks a bit suss.
I will have a look for flash cookies with CCleaner, thanks for that advice.
In fact it was DAL that recommended CCleaner and Super to me. And Broni has recommended so many other free apps that I have made him my personal software adviser, he thought that was funny.
Thanks Digerati and Dan. And DAL.

Okay just played with CC. How do you remove cookies? I get the choose to keep and choose to delete, but what do I do then?
And how to recognize aFlash Cookies?
Also are the other anti malware people, Spybot, mbam, Avast and SuperAntiSpyware working on this new threat?

How do you remove cookies?

You run CCleaner. It will remove the cookies. For sites you feel are safe, like here, you can select them to keep then you will not have to re-enter your credentials to log in again. To ensure Flash cookies are being removed by CCleaner, click on the Applications tab and ensure Adobe Flash Player is checked.

I am sure all the major A/M players are actively working on this.

You run CCleaner

This is the problem I have with CCleaner. I get to this point (see attachment) and then what ? If I click on Cleaner it just goes to the area where I clean out temporary files, the cookies in the left side are still there when I go back to the Options tab.
I know the answer is probably right in front of me, but I can't see it.
It was 40ºC here today, I think my brain melted.
So at the risk of pointing out I am a dunce, what do I do next?
I have left the attachment in Word format so you can draw arrows or whatever.

Why are you keeping all those on the right? Those should only be to sites requiring sign-in credentials you visit frequently - like on a daily basis.

I recommend you start over. Move all those on the right back to the left, then run CCleaner again to purge your system. Run Windows XP Disk Cleanup and/or ATF Cleaner to be sure your system is clean of crud.

Then use your computer for 24 hours and go back into CCleaner and review the list on the left. Move over to the right only those sites you had to sign in to that you will visit frequently.

When you CCleaner's cleaner, you should end up with nothing on the left.