Start up issue - Windows XP

[Trish]

Hi, my question is twofold, but concerns similar things ...

(1) I installed a program that updates my GPS. Now every time I log onto
my machine, this program starts up as the default ... I have to wait while it
opens up, and then close it so that I can see my desktop. Could you please
advise me how I can simply have this program as a desktop short cut rather
than take over my whole l desktop every time I log on.

(2) I sometimes use Windows Live Messenger to chat to overseas friends.
Every time i log on to my laptop, the Windows Live Messenger log on screen
pops up. I have to close it, and then it sits in my system tray. How can I
prevent this from happening, so that I just open it when I need it, which is
not that often.

Many thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

[Malke]

Hi, my question is twofold, but concerns similar things ...

(1) I installed a program that updates my GPS. Now every time I log
onto my machine, this program starts up as the default ... I have to wait
while it
opens up, and then close it so that I can see my desktop. Could you
please advise me how I can simply have this program as a desktop short cut
rather than take over my whole l desktop every time I log on.

(2) I sometimes use Windows Live Messenger to chat to overseas friends.
Every time i log on to my laptop, the Windows Live Messenger log on screen
pops up. I have to close it, and then it sits in my system tray. How
can I prevent this from happening, so that I just open it when I need it,
which is not that often.

Managing your Startup:

It is always better to stop programs from starting with Windows from within
the programs themselves, so look in their Options before changing anything
with msconfig - you're just examining things at this stage. If a program
doesn't offer any way to control startup from its Preferences, then use
msconfig to uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK out.

Start>Run>msconfig [enter]

This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and
find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK
out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you'll
get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in
effect, "don't bother me about this again".

Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes.
Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services
unless you really, really know what you're doing.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx - Autoruns

Malke

 

[Ronaldo]

Check the article that explains how to disable startup programs in Windows
98/ME/2000/XP. That includes your GPS update program and Windows Live
Messenger and also other programs that you may not need to startup with
Windows XP and disabling them can make your XP bootup and run faster.


How to disable startup programs in the Window's (98/ME/XP) Startup:
http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=1688

 

[Ray Parrish]

I don't know the name of your GPS program but you can use Autoruns from
Microsoft to inspect all of the programs which are started at boot up
and disable the entry that starts your GPS program. This is assuming
that there is no setting within your GPS program with which you can tell
it not to load on startup.

Windows Live Messenger has a setting which prevents it from laoding on
startup. Do the following:

1. sign on to windows live messenger
2. click the down arrow that lets you select online, busy, away, etc.
and go to the bottom and select "Options"
3. Choose the "General" tab
4. uncheck the box beside, "Automatically run Windows Live Messenger
when I log on to Windows"
5. Click the 'Accept' button.

If that doesn't work you can always use autoruns to stop it from loading.

To get autoruns go here -

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

 

[ju.c]

This is the best program for you:

StartupRun 1.22 30-70 KB (Freeware)
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/strun.html

"You can Edit, disable, enable and delete startup entries.
You can also save a list of startup items to a text or html
file, and even add a new startup entry to the Registry."


ju.c

 

[Jim]

Hi, my question is twofold, but concerns similar things ...

(1) I installed a program that updates my GPS. Now every time I log onto
my machine, this program starts up as the default ... I have to wait while it
opens up, and then close it so that I can see my desktop. Could you please
advise me how I can simply have this program as a desktop short cut rather
than take over my whole l desktop every time I log on.

(2) I sometimes use Windows Live Messenger to chat to overseas friends.
Every time i log on to my laptop, the Windows Live Messenger log on screen
pops up. I have to close it, and then it sits in my system tray. How can I
prevent this from happening, so that I just open it when I need it, which is
not that often.

Many thanks in advance for your assistance.

(2) look in options .