Hi,

I discovered this website, when I too was looking for info on a mysterious program I couldn't rememeber downloading "Overland". Like others who have written I also had the "disappearing" icon, which has been there for a while. But unlike other writers, I am pretty sure that this program did not appear with an HP update (BUT - and this is a big "but", and I will get to it in a moment), and I did have it listed in "add/remove" programs. What concerned me is that when I opened the file I couldn't find an .exe for it (so of course wondered what kind of software installed, but had no manual start feature).

The reason I do not think it came with an HP update is that I further searched for Overland Software and discovered that it has some programs that pertain to "ripping CDs, DVDs etc." and being new to a Computer with the capacity to burn and copy CDs, I was trying to learn how to do this and looked for software that would be easy to use. Likely I downloaded this with that in mind (but didn't recognize it as "Overland".)

BUT (and here is the big HP issue), it was also around that time that I discovered to my distress, that my HP Photo and Imaging Software had stopped working. I had no time that day to investigate, but later when I went back to it, I determined that it must be a software incompatibility issue, and no matter how I tried (uninstalling and reinstalling) - I couldn't get it to work again. I ended up downloading a new and different imaging program from HP to replace it. It wasn't until I was looking for this today, that it hit me, that it was about the same time as Overland appeared that Photo and Imaging stopped working.

So, Yes a definite HP issue, but I doubt if they were the source.

Hope this helps, and yes, I will immediately remove Overland and thanks for your tips on safe removal.

Cyndi

Hi again,

Just an added note, since I just realized something else in connection with this issue - as I said, I replaced my HP Photo and Imaging with a new imaging program from HP and after I removed the old Photo and Imaging software the "disappearing" icon issue stopped IMMEDIATELY!

I know how easy it is to suspect that something is "sending" when you see a "blip" on the taskbar (or anywhere else), it made me uneasy in that direction as well, but in light of the above, I would surmise, that the icon that was "blipping" - was in connection with the Photo and Imaging Program (in fact, I am almost sure of it, since I know it occurred everytime I tried to start this program.) So perhaps you can now breathe easier, if you discover, that you too, have an "Incompatibility" issue, instead of unknown "spyware".

Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Cyndi

Hi,

Sorry about what seems to be endless additions to my first message, but I just went back to check my Windows "add/remove" programs and discovered that Overland in fact is NOT listed. My mistake comes from the fact that I recently installed an additional "add/remove" programs application to help get rid of "fragments" that often remain in the Windows listing. The new program, has a much more complete listing of all programs (including individual add-ons), than the Windows program has.
Yes, that is where the Overland Program WAS listed.

Sorry.

Cyndi

I too was having this problem. I deleted Overland (did not have to enter safe mode) and so far, I've had no issues with the "ghost" icon in my task bar.

I've got several HP auto-updaters for my printers, so I'm assuming it came in that way. I am very, very thankful for the ops post, helped me out a lot.

I had the same problem on my Dell 4700c which is hooked up to a HP 1350 all in one printer and a pair of HP L1706 monitors. After uninstalling the program with CCleaner, I scanned for issues and found a bunch of errors linked to HP files for both the printer and monitor. I hope this helps.

K

I checked out the Overland Program. Regardless of what the HP tech may have said, it is definitly from HP. The techs may not know about it, but it is HP. If you unpack the Overland.cab file, all the files with the sub extention .hpz (as in default.hpz.FEE16BBD_CB2C_4E7B_AD06_10866E35C921) are actually zip files. HPz-ip files. Anyway, if you subsequently unzip these files you will find many HP logo's and icons, along with various other files. Doing a brief look through it appears to be a program that allows HP to collect various information about the computer or usage. I noticed one htm form that specifically refered to printer useage, ink consumtion, number of pages printed etc... I don't know how malicous or invasive it is, but it is HP, and it collects user information. I did see several files that seemed to ask whether a user wished to participate in the information collection process, but that's about as deeply as I've looked into it.

I'll spare you from the very same story, but I wonder which of these:

I received the Overland program from one of the above sources in my Subject line.

If it's not Spyware, it sure acts like it is. I removed the files and folder from C:\program files\ and used Registry Mechanic.

Thanks for all your input

Hey. yeah... i just went Google searching Overland because i saw it IN MY +/- install. HOWEVER, it was not in the one that comes with the computer which is what made me curious. I was using the mind soft system and i found it in their "uninstall" program. it's really odd. but it's just like you guys have mentioned it. I have an HP and after an update i had this crazy crap of a icon appearing in my toolbar. wow, I'm glad i Google searched this i have no idea what might have been going out on the internet! LOL

(if i sound stupid, i apologize, i only read the first page of posts (not to mention i am kinda weird XP!!!))

I hope I'll enjoy this forum, you guys actually know what talking about unlike some forums I've been to. LOL.

2008 Overland can be removed with a choice on the installer.
But I never "consciously" installed it and have no idea what it does, or did.

I have a Averatec ("dont let friends buy Averatec") 3255, XP Pro, laptop. What's happening is that everything gets busy and firefox freezes. Does it happen all the time? Is it getting worse? I dont know. But, I am using PIA I-Explorer fight now.

I dont want to destroy my setup using the recovery disk, finishing the job takes so long. And I do not have a slipstream install disk. At least I do know, "first thing the MS updates, all of them".

And so I had been using AVG. Getting rid of it was a bear. Just safe mode did not do it. I had to hand remove things from task manager and the hard drive. The first time I tried "Housecall" it found many worms. Two weeks later, nothing. Three later, something small.

And yet, firefox dies. I did have the beta one in then reinstalled the regular. And yet today while searching through Add/Remove programs, still found the beta, so I ditched that too.

I have several undistinguished named programs in ARprograms that have no CHANGE/REMOVE box. I don't know how to identify most of the routines in the task manager. I see I have goodle toolbar (which I dont have) and IPod manager (which I dont have) running... which leads me to wonder what else could there be?

And so the main point I wanted to make is is that just for less than a second, while Overland was getting removed, I saw the HP logo flash. I wonder no more. HP is always asking me to update and then tells me it cannot, after doing things. I trust that they are looking after what they consider to be their own interest.

Rant Off.

I don't know why firefox hangs. (I go now to reboot.)
Peace Out.