My Opinion is that your computer is looking for system files maybey even programs.
My Bet is your running XP. i'm not so sure you can stop this as it may be looking for a critical program or folder or you may just have too much stuff on your computer preferably around the C: drive so it takes longer to search.

I agree with Lighthouse, it's probably something loading at startup that is looking for a missing or moved file. Since it doesn't put up an error message, look in the Event Viewer to see if there is an error or warning of a missing file on every boot. Go to Start -> Run -> type "eventvwr.msc" and hit ENTER. Look through the logs, especially under "System", for errors and warnings from the last boot. Use the time and date to determine when that boot was. To open a log entry, double-click on it. You don't have to understand all it says, but look for a file not found or missing file message.

To disable startup programs, go to Start -> Run -> enter "msconfig" -> select Diagnostic Startup and restart your system. This will boot Windows without loading any extras. See if you still get the flashlight icon. You will be missing any apps or system tray icons that normally load. Reboot as needed to see if it's happening.

When you're done with this experiment, go back to msconfig and change the setting back to whatever it was, either normal or selective. Report back and we will help you further!

@Lighthouse, most people with XP do have Run on their start menu, but you make a good point. It's hard to make instructions that take into account all of the possible customizations out there. From now on I will try saying "Start -> Run or Win+R".
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto.....tart-menu/