Strange issues with Windows 10 Pro

Hello,
- Intel®Rapid Storage Technology is connected to your onboard harddisc controller. The driver is used, if you configure some RAID cinfigurations.
- Intel® Computing Improvement Program is the name of service by Intel, which may offer improvements for your computer. If the name is different, would be carefully. The install date should be the setup of the computer if not patched in the meanswhile by Intel. 
CPAppletexe belongs to the Intel Pro-Set Tools, which are responsible für WLANand maybe Bluetooth.

I would not expect, that viruses or malware are show so obvious.
So it may be woth to make a full virus scan and possibly a scan with MalWareBytes or similar tools.

Also you may check the "msconfig" tool (just type it) and see, what is in the windows autostart groups and folders.
If only the C:\ link is affected, means no subfolders, is just maybe a left over fragement from a program, a failure in desptop.ini (this file controls icon and behaviour and is a hidden system file).

Check first your computer for viruses, then make sure you installed all updates (Microsoft as well as Intel) and then see what happens. Due to the Intel Programms, you should have also an Intel tool on your machine, where you can check your machine for any intel updates. Also possible, that this funtionality is offered by the manufacturer of your computer. Most of them offer an update / maintenance tool for their systems. 

Hi,

I agree that it may not be malware, but with such errors, I would still take the opportunity to backup anything you don't want to lose, then wipe and restore the laptop to its factory state, and re-install any applications that you still use.

If nothing else, it is likely quicker (perhaps a couple of hours, most of which will be just waiting for it to install and run updates), than trying to fix things, plus you'll have a fresh machine at the end of it, rather than one which might still have problems.

If the issue is hardware related, that should also become apparent in a wipe and reinstall.


Alan.

>>  12xka6yerfm = C:\”.   <<  this seems to indicate that the C drive is affected (renamed?)
what shows in Explorer, and in disk management? - no errors?
i assume you ran AV check ? if not try this also: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php             MBAM

"When I try to access the C:\ drive I get a dialogue which appears”12xka6yerfm = C:\”."   

 What do you mean by Dialogue?  Is it what appears in the explorer address?  Is it a pop up box?  If so, With a question?    Can you still access the drive?  See your folders and files?

If it appears in the File explorer address box, its possible the Drive was accidentally renamed.  Its easy enough to happen, just close the lid too hard, while the mouse is hovering over the selected drive icon, causing some mouse clicks and keystrokes.  To test it I just renamed one of my drives to this exact name "12xka6yerfm =",  so, its not such far fetched idea.

post a screenshot  or pic of the dialogue

screenshot above. yes i can access the files

Yes, it look like that just the name for the C.\ drive was changed...
Have a look in the disc management, where you can define and change disk.
There you can also change the visible name of the drive.

But interesting how it can happen.
You may check, if you have a desktop.ini file in your root C:\ folder (you have to enable hidden and system files to be visible, otherwise you can not see it). Maybe you accidentially copies something there or a setup program put something into the wrong location.

It seems unlikely that you've managed to accidentally type that name into the computer to rename the disk.  I have a high level of suspicion of names of 9-12 random alphanumeric characters as these are often associated with Trojan droppers that spawn files with random names.

This could be innocent but if you don't have disk encryption I'd recommend an offline scan of the drive for virus/malware.

I agree, but if it was me I'd still wipe and reinstall - easy to do, and collateral upside too.

You'll never be able to have true confidence in the machine otherwise.

Alan.

that's why i posted a link to MBAM

I explained that this could happen accidentally much earlier up the thread.  

My two cents...
Unless you find signs of malware after running scans with Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware and your antivirus tools, I don't really think you need to wipe the disk and reload Windows.  I have never heard of any sort of infection renaming a drive.  

Many laptops have sensitive touch pads and mouse buttons.  Closing the or laying anything on the keyboard, could cause the problem or even closing the lid, especially with a few sheets of paper on the keyboard, can cause mouse clicks and/or random keystrokes.   If you do this, and if the scans find no malware infections, I think you are safe enough.   If you're paranoid, there certainly is no harm and a lot of good that comes from reloading your O.S. from scratch.  

Thanks for this Fred. I managed to rename the drive