Reactivating startup processes

[Zoe]

I used a program called Startup Inspector for Windows -
its not harmful at all but I somehow managed to stop all
the processes that NEEDED to run at Windows startup and
kept the ones that werent needed!

When I check in msconfigs startup list all I see are the
unwanted ones.
There is no way to undo the changes using the program I
made....I dont think it deletes the processes as such...

I did make a system restore point before the startup
changes weere made but am afraid to restore since it says
that windows needs to restart - I cant leave my laptop on
for ever either!!

Im running a Compaq Presario notebook - many of the
processes were default HP/Compaq/ATI drivers and some
windows ones. Two belonged to Norton.

QUESTION: Is there any way to reinstate the various
startup processes OR will System Restore reinstate them?

Any help wil be appreciated!!! Thank you

Zoe

 

[Guest]

Try to reinstall the Inspector over top of itself. It should correct al
the items that are needed.

 

[Guest]

Hi Zoe, try this and see if it helps you

1. Click Star
2. Select Ru
3. Type MSCONFI
4. Click the Startup Ta
5. Make sure the program SSTRAY has a check mark in the box next to i
6. Select the programs and drivers you want loaded during bootu

o

1. Click on the General Ta
2. Under 'Startup Selection' select 'Normal Startup
3. Reboo

If Windows somehow fails to boot, reboot your machine again and try booting into safe mode

To do this, press F8 when the Windows Logo screen appear, keep pressing F8 until you see a menu. Select Safe Mode. Once booted, perform a system restore.

Goodluck!

 

[t.cruise]

If the utility only removed the startup keys/strings from the Registry, then
using System Restore, and restoring from the Restore Point that you created
prior to using it should take you back to where you where before you ran
that utility. I went to the web page for the utility and it doesn't give
much information. If it does in fact delete files as well as Registry
entries, without backing them up, then it's lethal in the hands of someone
who isn't tech savvy. Let's assume that it only removed the Registry
keys/strings for those Startup items, and Restore from the Restore Point
that you created just prior to using the utility. Because, if it did remove
any needed files, they will have to be reinstalled anyway. You can't keep
your notebook on forever. So bite the bullet and do the System Restore. To
add: Never use a utility like this one, unless it allows changes to be
undone, especially when you aren't quite sure what you're removing. If you
wanted to remove Startup items, you should have opened msconfig, clicked the
Startup tab, and clicked to remove the checkmarks to the left of the items
that you didn't want to load. That way if you made a mistake and chose
something that you actually needed to run at Startup, you could go back to
msconfig and click to put the checkmark back. Or, if the system wouldn't
boot, you could press F8 on boot, boot into Safe Mode and put the checkmarks
back, or use System Restore from Safe Mode.

 

[t.cruise]

If the utility only removed the startup keys/strings from the Registry, then
using System Restore, and restoring from the Restore Point that you created
prior to using it should take you back to where you where before you ran
that utility. I went to the web page for the utility and it doesn't give
much information. If it does in fact delete files as well as Registry
entries, without backing them up, then it's lethal in the hands of someone
who isn't tech savvy. Let's assume that it only removed the Registry
keys/strings for those Startup items, and Restore from the Restore Point
that you created just prior to using the utility. Because, if it did remove
any needed files, they will have to be reinstalled anyway. You can't keep
your notebook on forever. So bite the bullet and do the System Restore. To
add: Never use a utility like this one, unless it allows changes to be
undone, especially when you aren't quite sure what you're removing. If you
wanted to remove Startup items, you should have opened msconfig, clicked the
Startup tab, and clicked to remove the checkmarks to the left of the items
that you didn't want to load. That way if you made a mistake and chose
something that you actually needed to run at Startup, you could go back to
msconfig and click to put the checkmark back. Or, if the system wouldn't
boot, you could press F8 on boot, boot into Safe Mode and put the checkmarks
back, or use System Restore from Safe Mode.

 

[Zoe]

Thank you for your replies!

I used this program because it was quite user friendly
but I didnt realise that the unchecked progs were
kept...unlike in MSconfig where the uncheked ones are
removed from startup. Stupid mistake on my part

Is there any way to check if the files themselves have
been deleted?

I tried reinstalling but it doesnt list the old required
processes...

Ive posted on their forums as well but no luck so far.

BIG ISSUE: Worst case senario occurs and Windows doesnt
load...will I lose my data? Should I backup what I can
just in case?

Thank you all so much for ure replies!

ZOe

 

[t.cruise]

Worst case scenario is that if files were deleted, and you can't boot your
system in either Normal Mode or Safe Mode. You would then do a "Repair
Install" of Windows XP, which retains your data files and software.

For a step by step walk through of a
Windows XP Repair Install, including screenshots, go to:

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm

When the page opens, scroll down and click on: How To Run A Repair
Install.

What you will lose though, are any Windows Updates that you might have
installed. They will have to be installed again. But if it gets you up and
running again, without losing your data files and software, that would only
be a minor annoyance.

But, backing up important data files is always a good idea, because a hard
drive could die, a virus/worm could corrupt them, or any number of things
could happen.
--

T.C.
t__cruise@[NoSpam]hotmail.com
Remove [NoSpam] to reply

 

[Zoe]

Thanks again Cruise - system resotre worked it out for
me!!!

MAny thanks for taking the trouble to reply!