Unwanted icon in taskbar.

I use Lux-Aeterna's analog clock on my desktop (http://www.lux-aeterna.com/) I have it loading automatically at switch-on.

When it was first installed, a few years ago, and for a while after re-installing XP, it would load and insert an icon alongside the system clock.

It now installs an additional icon in the task bar. I find this quite irritating.

I have been in correspondence with Lux-Aeterna but they don't understand why this happens or what I can do to stop it.

Can anyone help to stop the extra icon being inserted?

 

No, I have only one PC, and no, I have no theme, custom or otherwise. Just a blue desktop background.

 

It MAY have something to do with Microsoft Updates that have been rolled out in the last few months. I've seen on several different forums where folks all of a sudden start having little problems.

One of the main ones seems to be settings getting changed.

Another one I personally had was that Windows Update (wuauclt.exe) was running 3-5 times a day. I posted on the TechNet Forums about this...and they suggested I run virus / malware scans.

Then I posted up a copy of my update log...which pointed out that these things in it that seemed like the updates were being scheduled.

Not ONE person replied to my topic after that...but the thing "running by itself" also stopped.

Go figure.

Try to right click on the Taskbar...then on Properties. You may see something in there that will solve your problem.

Also go into Start>Run>msconfig and check your Startup menu items. MANY programs automatically do things that are just a little annoying just after installation...or after some type of software update.

 

This has been going on for much longer than a few months, but that doesn't rule out any update being the cause I suppose. However, I have no way of knowing.
I've got updates to advise me automatically when new ones are available and install them myself.

There's nothing in taskbar properties which has anything to do with this problem.

When I have the time and patience I shall disable startup items to see if there's any change.

 

Thank you Tony.

I had a look in that location but there's no entry for this program.

I don't know my way around the registry, so would you please tell me what other locations to look at.

 

Hi Sync,

Have you tried: Right-click on Start | Properties | Taskbar | Hide inactive icons | Customize and right-clicking on the irritating icon and checking "Always Hide "?

 

No Chris I haven't. If I can't prevent it appearing any other way I shall use that idea.

Thank you.

 

Also, when you hover over the icon or click it, what does it say\do?

 

Hovering over it displays Speaking Clock Deluxe

Left clicking changes the icon's appearance from pressed in to unpressed and vice versa, but doesn't affect the display.

Right clicking displays Minimize and Close


A bit more information: At switch-on or reboot the icon alongside the clock appears about 12 - 13 seconds after the desktop is displayed, the actual Speaking Clock display appears about 30 seconds later, and the second (unwanted) icon appears in the centre area, between the Quick Launch and the Clock area, another 30 seconds later.

And something else: If I click on Minimize the display disappears, as I would expect, and the "Cuckoo" icon disappears too. Double clicking on the icon by the clock restores the display, but the Cuckoo doesn't reappear.

 

Have you tried running HijackThis and checking the entries? You may have a duplicate entry.

Is the icon EXACTLY the same as the other...and if hover over the other one...does it say the same thing?

It also may have happened as a result of "how" you reinstalled XP...and / or if you ever uninstalled then reinstalled this application.

MANY uninstall programs leave behind file tidbits

 

The icon by the clock is a very small circular clock face. The Cuckoo icon is a rectangle which inlcudes the miniature clock face and the name of the program, just like any other "running program" icon. Its width depends on how many othger icons are displayed.

Hovering over the desired icon displays the date and time in digits. Left clicking it does nothing. Right clicking it opens up a menu with all the commands/settings for the program and display of the clock.

I can't remember exactly how I reinstalled XP. I've done it a few times on this and my previous machine and memories get blurred with time. But yes, I have uninstalled and reinstalled the application.

No I haven't run HijackThis. The results mean nothing to me. When I've run it in the past it has been at the request of someone helping me to flush out nasties and the results posted on the relevant forum.

I do, every now and then, run BitDefender's online scanner, Trend's Housecall, Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware, SuperAntiSpyware's free edition, Spybot Search & Destroy and Simply Super Software's Trojan Remover. All of these are installed but are run only when I tell them to.


I also run CCleaner every time I use the PC - several sessions a day.

 

Hello Syncopator,

>Right click system icon for the clock
>Select settings
>On the basic tab uncheck "show taskbar icon when display id on screen "
>Apply and exit your way out.

Does this take care of your problem? This program has many bells and whistles that can all be customized set and changes via the right>click settings or via the start button>all programs>speaking clock delux>speaking clock shortcut icon.

 

Thank you goddez1, but "show taskbar icon when display id on screen" wasn't checked.

The shortcut icon in the programs list just calls the .exe file and starts the clock. It doesn't give access to the settings. I can get to them only by right clicking the icon alongside the system clock or right clicking on the Speaking Clock display.

 

I downloaded the clock from the site given and there is no mention nor skin that involves or enables a cuckoo clock. There is a circular analog style and a rectangular digital. Where is this cuckoo clock coming from?

As TonyT mentions, you may have 2 different clocks running. Look for such.

 

There isn't a Cuckoo clock.

I referred to the unwanted (identical) icon as the Cuckoo. It's an English figure of speech. (A Cuckoo in the nest).

My fault. I should have stuck to textbook English.

 

Gotcha'. No cuckoo.

How about uninstalling the clock and seeing if the taskbar clock also disappears. Reinstall and see if the problem is taken care of.

In the least ctrl/alt/del to bring up taskmanager and end task on Spcldex.exe. This is executable for speaking clock. Does the taskbar icon disappear also.

You also mentioned that the settings for this clock already had the option of taskbar display "show taskbar icon when display id on screen" unchecked. How about checking it. apply. reboot and once again going through settings and uncheck it. Maybe the registry just needs a reminder.

 

I have done that twice, Some time ago when I was corresponding with the Lux Aeterna, and recently, a few days ago.
After I uninstalled it neither of the icons was presnt - of course. I then ran JV16's registry cleaner.
I then downloaded a fresh copy of the file and reinstalled it.

After first reboot it was fine (no extra icon), but on second and subsequent reboots the extra icon appears again.

Yes, Both icons disappear.

Yes, I have done that but it makes no difference. The unwanted icon still appears.