All of a sudden, IE6.1 starts automatically upon user logon

[David F]

Using Win 2K+SP4.
IE6.1 It is not listed in the startup folder.
I don't know were else an automatic startup may be recorded
and how such a status change occured.

Any idea how to stop it?

Thanks,
David

 

[Guest]

I suggest you install something like Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel, which
accesses all the places where startups can be initiated, and allows you to
toggle each entry on/off. You can get SCP from:
http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

 

[David F]

Thanks.
Nevertheless, I think that Windows' startup should not be a secret and as
user I should EASILY be able to control what does or does not start
automatically on logon w/o any extra software.
I also try to avoid cramming my computer with stuff that I should normally
be able to manage without it.

David

 

[PA Bear]

Check for Hijackware:

http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/

 

[Guest]

Startup Control Panel is a VERY small program and I find it very useful (nice
interface, too), but if you want to stick with XP, then:
Start > Run then enter: msconfig
and click on the Startup tab.

 

[David F]

Well, I have tried BOTH suggestions:
I obtained the XP's msconfig.exe and Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel.

I could not tell from the results why my IE6.1 starts automatically when
logged on to my user account (it does not start in admin mode). It could be
that the info is presented in a cryptic way which I can't understand it good
enough but I don't think that is the case. I could also easily believe that
neither programs is comprehensive enough to tell ALL startup possibilities.
It could be of course that something malicious happened in my computer (for
the first ever!). I have no leaning one way or another.

My system is well organized and backed up in a way that in 10 minutes I can
restore the entire drive that holds the OS (ALL my data is on a separate
drive) and put the problem to rest. But then, I would not know what
happened.

David