What is this item in my system configuration utility that looks like a square?

Question

Been having problems with the Blue Screen of Death. In a previous question about the blue screen I tried readers' suggestions which didn't solve the problem. Now when the computer comes on i get a black sreen. I can start it in safe mode. I ran "msconfig" and in "startup" and under startup item there is a sqaure and under command there is a sqaure too. the location says
"Software-Microsoft-windows-currentversion-run"
I disabled the sqaure and restarted and computer came up and i could get online now. What is that sqaure and is it really the source of my problem?

Edited*** the square is not the checkbox in front of each line item. It is an actual sqaure that is listed in the startup column and in the command column
I checked the check box in front of the line that has a sqaure in these two columns and then was able to start windows normally

2nd edit --- System restore didn't help and my uptodate mcafee virus software says no problem.

Answer 1

Probably it was a badly written spyware program, it was causing your system to crash. Try Spybot Search and Destroy to scan your system, it's free, use the link below. Good luck!

Answer 2

The items listed under the startup tab of msconfig are all items that your computer's registry wants to load everytime you start the computer. The little square in front of each item is a check box that turns on and off each item in that list.

The "square" is not the source of your problem, but the item it was running appears to have been. If your computer is working with the square disabled, then leave it disabled. That is why they give you that square, so you can disable items if they are unwanted or causing problems.

Recommend that you run Ad-aware and Skybot Seek&Destroy both on your PC as the "square" may be a spyware. They are both free at download.com.

Answer 3

Woow......you put me in a big big fog .Anyway I have 2 answers for ur case:
1.The EASY way is to ran system restore and try to restaurate OS to an earlier date when all was ok onto ur PC.
2.Try to donload some anti virus/spyware software and clean up ur PC .
3. If first and sec option dont work at all ......the HARD way is to backup all personal data and REINSTALL XP. If you wanna know more.....
Feel free to contact me on yahoo messenger for more details.

Answer 4

That's a preety vague description.
My bet is you're going to recieve a lot of reinstall windows answerrs.
Which is true, you can try taking it to your local service shop. Or try on the specialized forums.