can't remove several programs that load at startup

[Guest]

I've developed an issue over the past month that I can't solve. Whenever I
boot my system, several programs try to start up. One of those programs is
system restore. I have a utility that controls which programs load at startup
(CodeStuff's Starter), and I can't get rid of those programs. In certain
cases, I can't clear them or delete them. If I can clear them or delete them,
it instantly reinserts itself. I've tried different ways to remove these
programs besides CodeStuff's Starter, but it doesn't make any difference. I
have Norton Antivirus and I'm current with all of the updates. It hasn't
found any problems. I have two spyware programs installed (Ad Aware and
Spybot's Search and Destroy) and I keep the definition file current on both
of them, as well as Lavasoft's Ad-Watch running in memory and neither has
detected any problems.

At first there were two programs in which I had this problem. After a few
days, two more programs did this in addition to the other two. For about the
past two weeks, the number of programs involved has stayed the same. I can't
see any relationship between the programs.

Any ideas?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I've developed an issue over the past month that I can't solve. Whenever I
boot my system, several programs try to start up. One of those programs is
system restore. I have a utility that controls which programs load at startup
(CodeStuff's Starter), and I can't get rid of those programs. In certain
cases, I can't clear them or delete them. If I can clear them or delete them,
it instantly reinserts itself. I've tried different ways to remove these
programs besides CodeStuff's Starter, but it doesn't make any difference. I
have Norton Antivirus and I'm current with all of the updates. It hasn't
found any problems. I have two spyware programs installed (Ad Aware and
Spybot's Search and Destroy) and I keep the definition file current on both
of them, as well as Lavasoft's Ad-Watch running in memory and neither has
detected any problems.

At first there were two programs in which I had this problem. After a few
days, two more programs did this in addition to the other two. For about the
past two weeks, the number of programs involved has stayed the same. I can't
see any relationship between the programs.

Any ideas?

It would be helpful if you gave the names of some of these
unwanted programs.

The usual way to prevent programs from running at boot
time is by running msconfig.exe.

 

[Guest]

When I run MSCONFIG.EXE, the programs in question don't even show up. The
programs are SYSTEM RESTORE, RUSH 24/7 MEDIA CENTER, LOGITECH SETPOINT, and a
device driver for YAHOO MESSENGER.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

The programs might be invoked by something that is not
obvious to you. Disable the lot under msconfig.exe and see
what happens!

If it's a device driver then you should run services.msc via
the Start / Run menu and set the service start mode to
"Disabled".