What are these weird, tiny boxes/squares on my computer?
- These boxes/squares are really annoying. I'm using Windows Vista Home Premium.
1) Windows Help and Support - http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr271/Globe-Zx/31-05-20094-55-38PM.jpg
2) Windows Sidebar - http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr271/Globe-Zx/31-05-20095-15-40PM.jpg
Note: I put a red rectangle around those boxes/squares.
On the 2) Windows Sidebar, there is a white box with an arrow inside it on the currency gadget. I remembered last time it was just an arrow. Why is there a box around the arrow for? It's kind of annoying and I really want to remove the box but I don't know how.
Can anyone help me on how to remove them and why do they actually exist? They are very annoying...
Thank you very much for your help!1 person got this answerI do too
Answers
- Hi Globe ZX,
This issue is commonly caused by an issue with the file associations for the .PNG file extension on your computer. You can correct this by using the Windows Registry Editor and following the below steps.
1. Close the Windows Sidebar and Windows Help and Support.
2. Start the Registry Editor by clicking on Start, and typing "regedit.exe" in the "Start Search" field, and then hit Enter on the keyboard.
3. Provide consent or the appropriate credentials to User Account Control if prompted.
4. Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.png.
5. Right-click the .png key, point to New, and then click String value.
6. Add a new string named "Content Type" (without quotation marks).
7. Double-click the new Content Type string and set the Value data to "image/png" (without quotation marks).
8. Close the Registry Editor.
9. Restart your computer and try opening the Windows Sidebar and Windows Help and Support to see if these steps have resolved the issue.
Give this a try, see how it works out for you, and let us know! Have a great day! :)
Kristan M. Kenney ("Nighthawk64") | My Blog: http://blog.kristankenney.com- Marked As Answer byGlobe Zx Wednesday, July 08, 2009 10:12 AM
- Unproposed As Answer byKen - Former Support Engineer Wednesday, June 10, 2009 3:20 PM
- Proposed As Answer byKristan K. Sunday, May 31, 2009 11:34 AM
- Globe Zx:
I have published detailed information on this issue and how to fix it at http://blog.kristankenney.com/2009/06/18/resolve-graphical-issues-with-the-currency-gadget-and-internet-explorer-8/. There, you will also find a modified Currency gadget which does not exhibit this issue.
Note: This modified Currency gadget is not officially approved by Microsoft Corporation.
Hope that helps, have a great day! :)
Kristan M. Kenney ("Nighthawk64") | My Blog: http://blog.kristankenney.com- Proposed As Answer byKristan K. Saturday, June 20, 2009 7:37 PM
- Marked As Answer byGlobe Zx Wednesday, July 08, 2009 10:11 AM
All Replies
- Hello Globe Zx,
Have you tried a system restore? To restore the operating system to an earlier point in time, follow these steps:- Click Start, type system restore in the Start Search box, and then click System Restore in the Programs list.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password or click Continue. - In the System Restore dialog box, click Choose a different restore point, and then click Next.
- In the list of restore points, click a restore point that was created before you began to experience the issue, and then click Next.
- Click Finish.
The computer restarts, and the system files and settings are returned to the state that they were in at the time that the restore point was created.
Let us know either way if this helps you. Make it a great day!
"In the End The Love You Take, Is Equal To The Love You Make" - Click Start, type system restore in the Start Search box, and then click System Restore in the Programs list.
- Hi Globe ZX,
This issue is commonly caused by an issue with the file associations for the .PNG file extension on your computer. You can correct this by using the Windows Registry Editor and following the below steps.
1. Close the Windows Sidebar and Windows Help and Support.
2. Start the Registry Editor by clicking on Start, and typing "regedit.exe" in the "Start Search" field, and then hit Enter on the keyboard.
3. Provide consent or the appropriate credentials to User Account Control if prompted.
4. Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.png.
5. Right-click the .png key, point to New, and then click String value.
6. Add a new string named "Content Type" (without quotation marks).
7. Double-click the new Content Type string and set the Value data to "image/png" (without quotation marks).
8. Close the Registry Editor.
9. Restart your computer and try opening the Windows Sidebar and Windows Help and Support to see if these steps have resolved the issue.
Give this a try, see how it works out for you, and let us know! Have a great day! :)
Kristan M. Kenney ("Nighthawk64") | My Blog: http://blog.kristankenney.com- Marked As Answer byGlobe Zx Wednesday, July 08, 2009 10:12 AM
- Unproposed As Answer byKen - Former Support Engineer Wednesday, June 10, 2009 3:20 PM
- Proposed As Answer byKristan K. Sunday, May 31, 2009 11:34 AM
- First of all, I like to thank everyone who has tried to help solve this problem. Thank you for all your contributions! :)
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Hi The C. [MSFT Privacy and Disclosure],
Thanks for your suggestion, but the system restore does not seem to work. I have tried it twice.
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Hi Nighthawk64,
I have followed your instructions twice to make sure that I did things correctly.
The weird, tiny boxes/squares on the Windows Help and Support have been removed. Thank you very much! :)
If you want to see the results, here is the link - http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr271/Globe-Zx/2-06-20097-27-12PM.jpg
Unfortunately, the boxes/squares on the currency gadget in the Windows Sidebar have not been removed. There is still a box/square around the arrow on the currency gadget. :(
Do you have any suggestions that I could do so I can remove the box around the arrow in the currency gadget?
I remembered it used to have a nice little arrow, and now it has an ugly box around it. I want that removed. Thanks! - Globe Zx,
I'm glad that the issue with Windows Help and Support has been resolved. As far as the Windows Sidebar, have you installed Internet Explorer 8 recently? In testing the sidebar here, it appears okay, it just looks as if the arrow image isn't being sized correctly, resulting in what looks like a border around the image. Have you attempted to remove the gadget from the sidebar by closing it and then adding a new copy of it?
Kristan M. Kenney ("Nighthawk64") | My Blog: http://blog.kristankenney.com - Hi Nighthawk64,
I think I installed Internet Explorer 8 in early May of this year (2009). However, I'm not sure of the exact date.
I removed the currency gadget and after that, I closed Windows Sidebar. I restarted the computer and launched Windows Sidebar via Start Menu and soon added the new currency gadget but there is still a box/square around it. :(
I'm sure there has to be way to fix it, but I just don't know.
Thanks for your generous help! - Hello Globe Zx,
Thank you for using Microsoft Windows Vista Forums.
What happens if you detach this gadget from the sidebar? Are you still getting the box outline behind it? Do you get the same problem with any of the other default gadgets with Sidebar?
Are you able to change the country currency from the drop down arrow even with box outline? Please let us know status. Thanks!
James Microsoft Answers Support Engineer Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think. - Hi James- Support Engineer,
The currency gadget is working fine.
If you detach the currency gadget from the Windows Sidebar, it enlarges like any other gadget on the Windows Sidebar. When you close the gadget, it doesn't leave any trace on the Windows Sidebar.
Yes, I'm able to change the country currency from the drop down arrow even with box/square around the arrow.
The problem that I'm having is a minor cosmetic problem. Other than that, everything is working fine.
All I want is the box/square around the arrow to be removed. I'm sure it can be removed, but I don't know how.
Thanks for your generous help! Hi Globe Zx
The steps below might be a solution for the issue you are experiencing with the Sidebar.- Close Windows Sidebar. To do so, right-click on the Sidebar icon in the Notification area and click Exit
- Open an elevated Command Prompt window. To do so, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following and press ENTER:
regsvr32 msxml3.dll
(There is a space after the command regsvr32)
Similarly, run these commands:
regsvr32 scrrun.dll
(There is a space after the command regsvr32)
regsvr32 jscript.dll
(There is a space after the command regsvr32)
If the registration was successful, you'll see the message DllRegisterServer in <filename> succeeded for each command executed.
Reboot
Open Windows Sidebar (sidebar.exe) and check if the problem is resolved.
Please Post back and let us know if this helped to resolve the issue - thank you
Ken
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.- Hi Ken - Support Engineer,
Unfortunately, the solution does not work.
I closed the Windows Sidebar.
After that, I ran the Command Prompt Window as an administrator.
Here is an image of it - http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr271/Globe-Zx/5-06-20096-05-13PM.jpg
Later running those commands, I restarted the computer and Windows began to load up along with the Windows Sidebar.
Unfortunately, the currency gadget still has box/square around the arrow as shown in my first post.
Here is an image of it - http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr271/Globe-Zx/31-05-20095-15-40PM.jpg
Note: I put a red rectangle around the currency gadget that has the box/square/outline around the drop down arrow so you know where it is.
All I want is the box/square around the arrow to be removed. I'm sure it can be removed, but I don't know how.
Thanks for your generous help! - I am curious to know if perhaps one of the image files is corrupt within the gadget itself. When you hover over the drop down arrow, is there any sort of highlight effect?
Kristan M. Kenney ("Nighthawk64") | My Blog: http://blog.kristankenney.com - Hi Nighthawk64,
There is a highlight effect.
You can change currencies on the currency gadget in the Windows Sidebar.
The problem that I'm having is a cosmetic effect.
All I want is the outline around the drop down arrow to be removed. As you can in this image (http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr271/Globe-Zx/31-05-20095-15-40PM.jpg), there is a two red rectangles. On other Window Vista computers that I have seen, all they have is a nice drop down arrow without the outline.
I want the outline around the drop down arrow to be removed.
Thanks! - Hi Globe Zx
If my next suggestion has been suggested and tried, I apologize for not seeing it in the thread.
Open the Sidebar, remove the currency gadget. Go to add a new gadget, right click on Currency and uninstall it.
then right click on the side bar and click on properties, click on Restore gadgets installed with Windows
did that resolve the issue?
Ken
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think. - Hi everyone,
Things are getting a little bit out of track here.
What I'm seeing is that people are thinking that I'm having a problem with the currency gadget. The currency gadget is working perfectly fine. I can change currencies; I can close the currency gadget; I can move it out of the Windows Sidebar; I can do almost anything like any other gadget on the Windows Sidebar.
The problem that I'm having is a cosmetic problem. Hence, this is why I put the I post the thread in the "Appearance and Personalization".
Comparison between the two images - please take a look -
http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr271/Globe-Zx/Comparison_Currency_Gadget.jpg
On other Vista PCs that I have seen, there is no outline with the arrow around the currency gadget. How do I remove it?
Thank you very much for your help!
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Hi Ken - Support Engineer,
Unfortunately, your solution did not resolve the issue.
Thanks for your suggestion.- Edited byGlobe Zx Saturday, June 06, 2009 2:12 AM
- and that's exactly what it is a "Cosmetic" issue. This could be one of those Posts that goes on for months until a "resolution" is found :(
Have you tried a clean boot yet? I've seen Ken - Support Engineer and others Suggest this. I have copied / pasted it below
1. Click Start , click Control Panel , click System and Maintenance , click Administrative Tools , and then double-click System Configuration .2. Click Continue , or provide Administrator credentials if prompted.
3. Click the General tab, and click Selective startup .
4. Under Selective startup uncheck Load startup items .
5. Click the Services tab, check the Hide all Microsoft services box, and then click Disable all .
6. Click the Apply , then OK , and then Restart . - Hi DaGreenOne,
I have tried your suggestion twice, but it doesn't work.
It doesn't remove the outline around the drop down arrow in the currency gadget on the Windows Sidebar.
Thanks for your suggestion. - Hi Globe Zx
Sorry to hear you're still having this issue. Do you have the Windows Vista DVD (not a recovery DVD)?
If so, try the below steps below to do a Inplace Upgrade (Repair) on Vista.
Repair Installation:
You may reinstall your copy of Vista while keeping your files, settings, and programs by performing a repair installation or an in-place upgrade with the following steps: (Note: This does not always resolve all issues, especially if the corruption was caused by a 3rd party program or service, you might need to do a clean installation if this is unsuccessful.)
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Please make sure you Backup any and all important data before proceeding. Please see: Methods for backing up your files.
Always make sure you have the means to reinstall your programs, either through an install disk or having access to the installation files.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
1. Insert the Windows installation disc into your computer's DVD or CD drive. You must start Windows installation while running your existing version of Windows.
2. On the Install Windows page, click Install now.
3. On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and to help protect your computer against security threats. You will need an Internet connection to get installation updates.
4. On the Type your product key for activation page, we strongly recommend that you type your 25-character product key to help avoid problems during activation.
5. On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms.
6. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Upgrade to begin the upgrade. You might see a compatibility report.
7. Follow the instructions.
Note: If your installation disk does not include SP1, and you are updated to it, then you will have to uninstall it before performing an upgrade install. Start -> Control Panel -> Programs -> View installed updates, then select Service Pack for Microsoft Windows and click Uninstall.
Note: The following settings will be reset to default:Computer Sound Scheme
Device Drivers
Visual Effects
Windows Mail
Windows Services
If you notice files missing after the upgrade look in the following folders:
C:\Windows.old
C:\$INPLACE.~TR
C:\$WINDOWS.~Q
These files can be cleared with disk cleanup as "Files discarded by Windows upgrade".
Delete files using Disk Cleanup
Ken
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.- Unmarked As Answer byGlobe Zx Wednesday, July 08, 2009 12:44 PM
- Marked As Answer byAnthony - Support Engineer Monday, June 15, 2009 6:28 AM
Through further testing, I have been able to reproduce the issue. It is caused by Internet Explorer 8. I will look into this further to see if there is a way to resolve this without having to uninstall the new version of IE.
Kristan M. Kenney ("Nighthawk64") | My Blog: http://blog.kristankenney.com- Globe Zx: I have been able to confirm that this is indeed caused by Internet Explorer 8, and where the issues lies within the Currency gadget.
I will post an update for you later on this evening which should resolve this issue without needing to re-install your operating system or roll back to Internet Explorer 7.
Kristan M. Kenney ("Nighthawk64") | My Blog: http://blog.kristankenney.com - Globe Zx:
I have published detailed information on this issue and how to fix it at http://blog.kristankenney.com/2009/06/18/resolve-graphical-issues-with-the-currency-gadget-and-internet-explorer-8/. There, you will also find a modified Currency gadget which does not exhibit this issue.
Note: This modified Currency gadget is not officially approved by Microsoft Corporation.
Hope that helps, have a great day! :)
Kristan M. Kenney ("Nighthawk64") | My Blog: http://blog.kristankenney.com- Proposed As Answer byKristan K. Saturday, June 20, 2009 7:37 PM
- Marked As Answer byGlobe Zx Wednesday, July 08, 2009 10:11 AM
Hi Nighthawk64,
The outline around the box in the currency gadget has been removed. Thank you very much!
Unfortunately, I have a different problem that I think you could solve.
I think the issue relates to Internet Explorer 8.
The link is here - http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistaprograms/thread/4e4d1cb3-cce4-43ea-bcf0-e8895434fffe
Once again, thanks for your generous help! :)
