[bodger99]

[WinXP-SP3]

I am left-handed. I've been having the following problem for ages and have finally decided to do something about it ...

When I go to Control Panel/Mouse/Buttons, check the 'Switch primary and secondary buttons' box, then click 'apply' and 'OK', my mouse switches over like you'd expect. However, EVERY time I restart my PC after either switching off completely, or just rebooting, this setting returns to a normal right-handed mode and I have to redo the setting all over again!

A very similar thing occurs in my 'display settings'. Here, under Control Panel/Display Properties/Appearance, I select Classical Style (ie grey) and 'font size 'large'. This setting should be permanent as I understand it. But, what I get on system startup is completely random. Sometimes, it's the grey of 'classical' mode, others, it's the blue of Vista. Sometimes, it's the same colour for multiple sessions, sometimes, the colour switchover only lasts for just a single session!

I have no problem with all other CP items.

Having to do this every day, (unless I leave my PC on 24/7 of course), annoys me considerably.

Does anyone have any idea what's causing these problems and what I could do next?

[Advertisements]

Are you running any software that monitors the registry and protects it from change?

Download and install CCleaner from the following link: CCleaner - Standard

During installation, uncheck the option to install the Yahoo toolbar.

Start CCleaner. Click on Tools (ICON) and Select the following BUTTONS to create two (2) text files:

• Uninstall > Save to text file (install) – bottom right corner of app window
• Startup > Save to text file (startup)

Locate and open each saved file in the ‘Documents’ FOLDER:

• Copy and paste the contents of each file into your next post (2 files).

[Ztruker]

Are you running any software that monitors the registry and protects it from change?

Download and install CCleaner from the following link: CCleaner - Standard

During installation, uncheck the option to install the Yahoo toolbar.

Start CCleaner. Click on Tools (ICON) and Select the following BUTTONS to create two (2) text files:

• Uninstall > Save to text file (install) – bottom right corner of app window
• Startup > Save to text file (startup)

Locate and open each saved file in the ‘Documents’ FOLDER:

• Copy and paste the contents of each file into your next post (2 files).

[bodger99]

Thanks for replying:

I'm not aware of any software affecting the registry although that's not to say that something isn't doing it. I'm usiing AVG Cloudcare AV + Secunia PSI - would either of them be responsible? Can you think of any other common applications that might affect the registry?

I've been using ccleaner for years but I haven't looked at it in ages - it does its thing when my PC fires up, updates automatically (I'm using v4.00.4064) + that's it as far as I'm concrned! I'm afraid I'm just a typical 'user' with not a lot of technical knowledge! Presumably you've told me to 'copy + paste etc.' because you need to view these files in order to be able to help me. The trouble is that I can't work out how to do what you want me to do here:

'Uninstall > Save to text file (install) – bottom right corner of app window
Startup > Save to text file (startup)'

Can you explain a bit more what I should be doing. It'd also help me a lot, if I knew what it is that you're trying to do.

Many thanks.

[Ztruker]

Not sure how to be more specific, let me try some pictures:

Start CCleaner and click on Tools


Click on Uninstall then Save to text file ... Call it Uninstall.txt
Click on Startup then Save to text file ... Call it Startup.txt


Locate and open (double click on) each saved file in the folder you saved them to. This will open a Notepad window.
Copy and paste the contents of each file into your next post (2 files).

[bodger99]

Thanks very much, it's all a lot clearer now!

Here's the info you asked for:

'startup.txt':

No HKCU:Run AWC IObit "C:\Program Files\IObit\Advanced SystemCare 3\AWC.exe" /startup
Yes HKCU:Run ccleaner Piriform Ltd "C:\Program Files\CCleaner\ccleaner.exe" /AUTO
Yes HKCU:Run ctfmon.exe Microsoft Corporation C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
Yes HKCU:Run MSGTAG "C:\Program Files\MSGTAG\MSGTAG.exe" /startup
No HKCU:Run msmsgs "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
No HKCU:Run OrbTray "C:\Program Files\Winamp Remote\bin\OrbTray.exe" /background
Yes HKCU:Run RoboForm Siber Systems "C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboTaskBarIcon.exe"
No HKCU:Run RoboTaskBarIcon Siber Systems "C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboTaskBarIcon.exe"
Yes HKCU:Run Skype Skype Technologies S.A. "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /minimized /regrun
No HKCU:Run SUPERAntiSpyware SUPERAntiSpyware.com C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
No HKCU:Run xb C:\Program Files\eXtra Buttons\xb.exe
No HKLM:Run AdobeARM Adobe Systems Incorporated "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
No HKLM:Run ALT-Key C:\Program Files\ALT-Key\ALT-Key.exe
No HKLM:Run APSDaemon Apple Inc. "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\APSDaemon.exe"
No HKLM:Run atchk Intel Corporation "C:\Program Files\Intel\AMT\atchk.exe"
Yes HKLM:Run AVG CloudCare AVG Technologies, Inc. C:\Program Files\AVG\CloudCare\AvgTrayApp.exe
Yes HKLM:Run AVG_UI AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. "C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2013\avgui.exe" /TRAYONLY
No HKLM:Run avgtray "C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgtray.exe"
No HKLM:Run Backup & Storage F-Secure "C:\Program Files\VirginMedia\V Stuff Backup\Backup & Storage.exe"
No HKLM:Run BJMyPrt CANON INC. C:\Program Files\Canon\MyPrinter\BJMyPrt.exe /logon
No HKLM:Run CNSLMAIN CANON INC. C:\Program Files\Canon\SolutionMenu\CNSLMAIN.exe /logon
Yes HKLM:Run CognizanceTS Microsoft Corporation rundll32.exe c:\PROGRA~1\HEWLET~1\IAM\Bin\ASTSVCC.dll,RegisterModule
Yes HKLM:Run CTHelper Creative Technology Ltd CTHELPER.EXE
Yes HKLM:Run CTxfiHlp Creative Technology Ltd CTXFIHLP.EXE
No HKLM:Run DT_startup C:\Program Files\Common Files\Portrait Displays\Shared\DT_startup.exe -HPW
No HKLM:Run hkcontrol Digital-miner.com C:\Program Files\Hotkeycontrol XP\hkcontrol.exe
Yes HKLM:Run HotKeysCmds Intel Corporation C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
Yes HKLM:Run IFXSPMGT Infineon Technologies AG C:\WINDOWS\system32\ifxspmgt.exe /NotifyLogon
Yes HKLM:Run IgfxTray Intel Corporation C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
No HKLM:Run issch Macrovision Corporation "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start
No HKLM:Run ISUSPM Macrovision Corporation C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\ISUSPM.exe -startup
Yes HKLM:Run ISUSPM Startup :C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\ISUSPM.exe -startup
No HKLM:Run iTunesHelper Apple Inc. "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
Yes HKLM:Run KernelFaultCheck %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
No HKLM:Run Listener C:\Program Files\Kodak\KODAK Share Button App\Listener.exe
Yes HKLM:Run Logitech Hardware Abstraction Layer Logitech Inc. KHALMNPR.EXE
No HKLM:Run LogMeInSystray "C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LogMeInSystray.exe"
No HKLM:Run LWS "C:\Program Files\Logitech\Logitech WebCam Software\LWS.exe" /hide
No HKLM:Run pdfsty PDF Complete Inc "C:\Program Files\PDF Complete\pdfsty.exe"
Yes HKLM:Run Persistence Intel Corporation C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
No HKLM:Run PTHOSTTR Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. c:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP ProtectTools Security Manager\PTHOSTTR.EXE /Start
No HKLM:Run QTTask Apple Inc. "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
Yes HKLM:Run racontrol AVG Technologies, Inc. "C:\Program Files\AVG\CloudCare\AvgRemote\raserver.exe" -controlservice -slave


'uninstall.txt'

Adobe AIR Adobe Systems Incorporated 17/04/2013 3.7.0.1530
Adobe Flash Player 11 ActiveX Adobe Systems Incorporated 17/04/2013 11.6.602.180
Adobe Flash Player 11 Plugin Adobe Systems Incorporated 17/04/2013 11.7.700.169
Adobe Reader XI (11.0.02) Adobe Systems Incorporated 22/02/2013 139.00 MB 11.0.02
Adobe Shockwave Player 12.0 Adobe Systems, Inc. 23/03/2013 12.0.0.112
Advanced SystemCare 3 IObit 21/11/2009 3.4.0
AllMusicConverter 4.1.4 23/12/2010
Allway Sync version 9.4.11 Botkind Inc 28/11/2009
Amazon Kindle Amazon 08/12/2011
Amazon MP3 Downloader 1.0.8 05/12/2009
Apple Application Support Apple Inc. 24/12/2012 66.77 MB 2.3
Apple Software Update Apple Inc. 28/01/2012 2.38 MB 2.1.3.127
AQUAZONE DESKTOP GARDEN 21/11/2009
ArcSoft PhotoImpression
Audacity 1.2.6 21/11/2009
Auslogics Registry Defrag Auslogics Software Pty Ltd 20/11/2009 version 5.5
AVG CloudCare AVG Technologies 05/01/2013 2.1.1
Backup & Storage v2.3.1.31082 VirginMedia 31/05/2011 2.3.1.31082
BBC iPlayer Desktop British Broadcasting Corp. 07/12/2010 3.0.10
BIOS Configuration for HP ProtectTools Hewlett-Packard 16/11/2009 5.00 MB 3.00 F1
Bonjour Apple Inc. 28/01/2012 0.92 MB 3.0.0.10
Canon iP3600 series Printer Driver 15/01/2011
Canon iP3600 series User Registration 15/01/2011
Canon Utilities Easy-PhotoPrint EX 15/01/2011
Canon Utilities My Printer 15/01/2011
Canon Utilities Solution Menu 15/01/2011
CCleaner Piriform 25/03/2013 4.00
Creative MediaSource 5 18/11/2009 5.00
Credential Manager for HP ProtectTools Hewlett-Packard 16/11/2009 62.97 MB 2.5.0.880.13
DiskCheckup v3.1 PassMark Software 10/01/2013 3.1.1005
Diskeeper Professional Edition Executive Software 18/11/2009 10.92 MB 8.0.459
Dmouse v1.0.0 SwapMouseButtons.com 18/04/2013
DMP Installer BridgeCo 18/11/2009 15.94 MB 1.0.30
Drive Encryption for HP ProtectTools Hewlett-Packard 16/11/2009 23.34 MB 1.0.4
DriveImage XML (Private Edition) Runtime Software 07/01/2012 2.30
Dropbox Dropbox, Inc. 03/07/2012 1.4.7
DVD Decoder 1.0 vsevensoft.com 24/02/2013
DVD Decoder Pak for Windows XP [email protected] 24/02/2013 0.38 MB 1.0.0
Embedded Security for HP ProtectTools Hewlett-Packard 16/11/2009 61.28 MB 5.0.2
EPSON Copy Utility
EPSON Photo Print 18/11/2009
EPSON Printer Software 18/04/2013
EPSON Scan
EPSON Smart Panel 04/11/2010
EPSON TWAIN 5
Family Historian 3.0 Calico Pie Limited 13/11/2010
FastStone Image Viewer 4.7 FastStone Soft 30/03/2013 4.7
Free Registry Defrag iExpert Software 30/01/2010
FrostWire 4.21.3 FrostWire Team 05/02/2011 4.21.3.0
FrostWire 5.5.5 FrostWire Team 20/03/2013 5.5.5.0
Google Chrome Google Inc. 20/11/2009 24.0.1312.52
Hotkeycontrol XP 4.2.1 Jake rockwell 26/01/2013
HP Backup and Recovery Manager Hewlett-Packard Company 16/11/2009 2.4
HP Help and Support HPQ 16/11/2009 4.2.0010
HP My Display Portrait Displays, Inc. 18/11/2009 1.36.003
HP ProtectTools Security Manager Hewlett-Packard 16/11/2009 7.45 MB 3.00 A10
Ideas Genie 5 ideasforgardens.com 10/08/2010 54.28 MB 5.01.0001
inSSIDer MetaGeek 12/03/2013 4.32 MB 2.1.6
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver 04/04/2013
Intel® PRO Network Connections 12.1.14.1 Intel 16/11/2009
Intel® Active Management Technology Intel Corporation 18/11/2009
Intel® Management Engine Interface Intel Corporation 04/04/2013
iTunes Apple Inc. 28/01/2012 170.00 MB 10.5.3.3
Java 7 Update 17 Oracle 12/03/2013 129.00 MB 7.0.170
Logitech SetPoint Logitech 16/11/2009 2.49
Logitech Webcam Software Logitech Inc. 21/01/2012 2.30
McAfee Security Scan Plus McAfee, Inc. 02/12/2012 3.0.287.1
McAfee SiteAdvisor McAfee, Inc. 24/12/2012 3.6.187
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 11/01/2013
Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2 Microsoft Corporation 23/03/2013 185.00 MB 2.2.30729
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 Service Pack 2 Microsoft Corporation 11/01/2013 253.00 MB 3.2.30729
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Microsoft Corporation 11/01/2013
Microsoft Money 2000 Standard 10/08/2010
Microsoft Office 2000 SR-1 Professional Microsoft Corporation 18/11/2009 102.00 MB 9.00.3821
Microsoft Silverlight Microsoft Corporation 17/03/2013 45.38 MB 5.1.20125.0
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Microsoft Corporation 16/11/2009 5.25 MB 8.0.59193
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.21022 Microsoft Corporation 15/12/2012 4.69 MB 9.0.21022
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.21022.218 Microsoft Corporation 15/12/2010 4.48 MB 9.0.21022.218
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729.4148 Microsoft Corporation 13/12/2010 10.19 MB 9.0.30729.4148
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 x86 Redistributable - 10.0.40219 Microsoft Corporation 06/10/2012 11.13 MB 10.0.40219
Moffsoft FreeCalc Moffsoft 01/12/2012 1.1
Monopoly Deluxe Zylom Games 02/01/2010 1.0.0
Mozilla Firefox 20.0.1 (x86 en-GB) Mozilla 13/04/2013 20.0.1
Mozilla Maintenance Service Mozilla 13/04/2013 20.0.1
Mozilla Thunderbird (3.1.20) Mozilla 17/04/2013 3.1.20 (en-GB)
Mp3 Tag Tools v1.2 21/01/2010
MSGTAG MSGTAG 03/11/2012
MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB954430) Microsoft Corporation 19/11/2009 2.67 MB 4.20.9870.0
MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB973688) Microsoft Corporation 26/11/2009 2.77 MB 4.20.9876.0
MyDefrag v4.3.1 J.C. Kessels 07/01/2012 4.0.0.0
Napster Napster 30/12/2010 4.6.2.8
Napster 5 Beta Rhapsody International Inc 27/12/2012 1.0.61
Network Stumbler 0.4.0 (remove only) 04/04/2013
P1670 Reference Guide 18/11/2009
PDF Complete 18/11/2009
PhotoScape 30/03/2013
Picasa 3 Google, Inc. 15/04/2013 3.9
QuickTime Apple Inc. 24/12/2012 73.18 MB 7.73.80.64
Rapport Trusteer 03/04/2013 3.5.1208.34
Revo Uninstaller 1.94 VS Revo Group 11/06/2012 1.94
Riot - Radical Image Optimization Tool 04/04/2013
RoboForm 7-8-8-5 (All Users) Siber Systems 15/04/2013 7-8-8-5
ScanToWeb 18/11/2009
SDMSSplash HP_SDMS 16/11/2009 1.26 MB 1.0.0
Secunia PSI (2.0.0.3001) 16/04/2013
Skype™ 6.2 Skype Technologies S.A. 21/02/2013 20.24 MB 6.2.106
SopCast 3.4.0 www.sopcast.com 19/08/2012 3.4.0
Sopcast Ask Toolbar Updater Ask.com 11/04/2012 1.2.0.20007
Sophos Anti-Rootkit 1.5.0 Sophos Plc 08/05/2010 1.5.0
Sound Blaster X-Fi 18/11/2009 1.0
Spybot - Search & Destroy Safer Networking Limited 20/11/2009 1.6.2
SUPERAntiSpyware SUPERAntiSpyware.com 06/04/2013 5.6.1014
TeamViewer 8 TeamViewer 07/01/2013 8.0.16642
TextMagic Messenger 2.3.2 TextMagic 03/03/2010
Transmute v2.50 Darq Software 05/01/2012 2.61 MB 2.50.0.0
TreeSize Free V2.7 JAM Software 21/10/2012 2.7
Twonky 7.0 PacketVideo 18/04/2013 7.0.11.0
Uninstall 1.0.0.1 28/12/2009
Unlocker 1.9.1 Cedrick Collomb 06/04/2013 1.9.1
VideoReDo TVSuite Version 3.1.5.564 DRD Systems, Inc. 06/03/2010
VshareComplete VshareComplete 26/11/2011
What's Running 2.2 WhatsRunning.net 21/11/2009 2.2
Winamp Nullsoft, Inc 22/08/2012 5.621
Winamp Application Detect Nullsoft, Inc 07/09/2011 1.0.0.1
Windows Internet Explorer 8 Microsoft Corporation 16/11/2009 20090308.140743
Windows Update Remover Tech-Pro Limited 18/01/2013
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Microsoft Corporation 16/11/2009 20080414.031525
WinZip WinZip Computing, Inc. 21/11/2009 9.0 SR-1 (6224)
xplorer² lite 32 bit Zabkat 01/10/2011 1.8.1.4

[Ztruker]

Nothing stands out from that list unfortunately.

Let's try creating a new user account via Control Panel, User Accounts just as a test, then make the mouse changes and see if they remain or also get lost on the next boot. Let me know how that goes.

[bodger99]

I tried it just now but unfortunately, that didn't work - I created a user, logged off my account, logged in to the new a/c, switched mouse buttons + clicked apply/ok, logged off + logged back in; no good. I tried it again powering off completely - again no good.

Any other ideas?

[Ztruker]

One other idea. Boot to Safe Mode then login to your normal account. Change the mouse settings then logout and login again while still in Safe Mode. If something is running when you boot normally, Safe Mode should prevent it and the change should stick. If so then you can start eliminating startup processes till you find the cause.

[Ztruker]

I just tried switching the buttons on my XP client running under Virtual Box and the change sticks, but boy is it hard to use!!!!

I'll see if I can find the registry entry that gets changed. Maybe we can fix this by editing the registry.

[Ztruker]

Okay, the registry entry that gets changed is: HKCU\Control Panel\Mouse

Value changes from 0 to 1.

Here is a reg file you can apply to make the change:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Mouse]
"SwapMouseBUttons"="1"


Copy the above (in red) and paste into notepad.
Save as "SwapMouseButtons.reg" to your Desktop.
Right click on SwapMouseButtons.reg and select Merge.
Click Yes (or OK, forget which).

I had to logoff the on for the registry change to take effect. If they are then do another logoff and on and see what happens. If the buttons are back to original then something is resetting the registry and almost has to be a program you are running.


To restore it:


Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Mouse]
"SwapMouseBUttons"="0"