Odd desktop file in XP Pro

[Coherence]

I built my new system back in April, and ever since I've had a file that keeps appearing on my desktop, and I can't figure out what it is.

The file is named "~". That's it, just "~". It's about 173k in size, if memory serves.

Virus scans and system checkups don't show any problems (I'm running Norton SystemWorks).

Has anyone else run into this, and can you tell me what is up with it? 😕

 

[Orange Kid]

Hmmm

I've seen that on my Win2k boxes, but don't have a clue as to what it is either.

Patiently waiting also😕

 

[bsobel]

Grab filemon from sysinternals.com and set a filter on that name, finding what process is writing it should help track down what it is (anything obvious in the contents when opened in notepad?)
Bill

 

[Coherence]

I haven't actually opened the file, yet. I've deleted it a couple times, but it eventually pops up again. I didn't want to open it mainly because I don't want Windows to permanently associate the file with any particular application, at least before knowing what is writing it in the first place.

I'll check out filemon and see if that helps.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[stash]

No worries.

It's just a copy of your outlook express address book. If you give it an extension of .wab, you'll see. This is a result of a bug with the latest patch for OE, but its nothing to be concerned about.

 

[Orange Kid]

Thanks STaSh

Just had one re-appear and tracked it down to that also.

Was going to post what I had found but you already had the answer 🙂

 

[atienza2]

yo tight...i kept seeing that on friends computer...he was freakin out. He wanted me to FIX it. Dude was like "its a virus huh??!!!" I just said...its a temp file...delete it and move on.

 

[Coherence]

Good to hear that's all it is. I hadn't heard about that bug. My OE address book is rather small, though, so I'll still check it out, because I can't imagine the file needing to be as large as it is for the few names I have in my book.

Thanks!