Computer Start Up Question....

[Junkman]

Don't know if this is the right place to post this, but if it isn't, please move to where it belongs.

When my computer starts up, there are a bunch of programs that I never use that are loaded. I have looked, but cannot find where I can pick and choose what programs I want to start when the computer starts. I am running Windows XP Professional on a Dell Dimension 4100 computer. Any and all help appreciated..... thanks.... the original Junk...

 

[California]

Here's a technique I have used for a long time.

open Explorer and go to
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Each shortcut listed there starts a program.

I like to make a sub-folder called 'removed from startup' within that folder. I move un-needed shortcuts into it, so they are easy to find if I wish to resume using them.

In addition to 'All Users' you may have to go to your personal startup folder as well.

Start/Set Program Access and Defaults/Add-Remove Windows Components is another place to tinker with. Make note of what you change here since it isn't obvious what it looked like before you changed it.

Start/Control Panel gets to the heart of your pc but I suggest research on Google anything you wish to change in its subcategories.

And finally here is as far as I have ventured into the 'expert' realm. From a post I made in an XP thread back in September:

After installing SP2 I shut down some Windows background processes that I don't need based on the 'Safe' recommendations at:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
(Find 'Black or White' in his left margin and choose White for a more readable page.)

Again, research via Google if his descriptions aren't suffficient. He emphasizes that XP defaults to running several network tasks continuously, probably so it can integrate into any network the moment you attach it. You don't need most of that after your system is set up, and the running tasks are at risk of being exploited by hackers.

Finally, adding a 512mb ram stick lets everything run simultaneously so you don't notice it.

 

[Mith]

somethings dont show up in the startup menu
start>run then type msconfig and you can check and uncheck the things that you want or not (under the startup tab)
WARNING, take care what you turn off, something may be vital to the running of your computer

 

[Hakim]

Free Programs to manage your PC startup events, all are free...

Startup Mechanic

Startup Control Panel

Startup Inspector for Windows

Plus, a Bonus Link to Karen's Power Tools. All also free, and do all kinds of useful, necessary tasks for the harried computer user. A treasure trove of utlities:

Karen's Power Tools

Hope this helps.

 

[PineRidge]

Junk go to start, programs, then look in the startup folder. If you don't like what you see right click and delete.

Better yet your wife said it's much simpler just to leave your computer turned off.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( look in the startup folder. If you don't like what you see right click and delete )</font>

I've done that on my computer; looked, that is. And I don't like what I see; way too much stuff there. The problem is that I don't know what most of it is, so I'm afraid to start deleting things. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Copy down the name of the thing that is in the start menu and do a google search on it. Chances are, you will get lots of hits as to what it is. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[PineRidge]

<font color="blue">




I've done that on my computer; looked, that is. And I don't like what I see; way too much stuff there. The problem is that I don't know what most of it is, so I'm afraid to start deleting things.

</font>

Bird by deleting the icon in the start up folder you are not actually deleting the program itself, only the shortcut to it from within that start up folder. And it's easy to put it back if need be. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[buckle97]

<font color="blue"> The problem is that I don't know what most of it is, so I'm afraid to start deleting things. </font>

Bird, If you want to post a list of what is in your startup folder, I'm sure we can give you a pretty good idea of what should stay and what should go.

Lawrence

 

[JASTN70D]

Bird

It is an extremely rare occasion that we find anything in the Startup program menu that needs to be there. The system startup is usually were you will find important stuff like Virus protection (Msconfig/Startup). If you trace the properties back to the Directory you will more than likely understand what is loading. The less programs you run the better it will perform.! Remember all software is broken to some degree and it must interact with all the other broken software on your system

 

[Mith]

i have nothing in my startup menu
only about half of what is listed in msconfig id selected to run at startup
mosly the stuff is unnessecary and you dont know its there except it uses your system resources
as someone suggested post the things you arent sure and im sure someone will know what to do about it

 

[Bird]

If I just simply go to All Programs/Startup, there's only 4 things listed there. But if you do the Ctrl/Alt/Del bit, there's a whole bunch of stuff, most of which I don't understand or recognize. However, the computer is working OK, so I probably better just leave it alone. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Mith]

to see what the processes in ctrl/alt/del are go to this site then type them in
processes
see if it works....

 

[Bird]

Thank, Mith. I won't have time to do it until this weekend, but I'll have to look at that.

 

[Moon]

A while back I ran into an article on Mike Lin. He has written quite a few useful programs. One I find particularly useful is called 'Startup Monitor'. It alerts you whenever a program trys to add something to your startup dir. You can then say okay or say no. I've found that way to many software products try to add something totally uneeded to your startup dir. The program is free. Here is a link to the download:
Startup Monitor Download.

Moon of Ohio