Msconfig is not included in Windows 2000 but you can use an XP version
of it, see at the bottom.
There are four Run keys in the NT registry that cause programs to be run
automatically.
These apply to NT systems:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
Also, services (for NT) will be in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services. (I don't
recommend that you go there trying to turn off services unless you
really understand the key structure).
In addition, programs can be automatically started at boot via logon
scripts or batch files. They can be invoked via shortcuts or by being
placed in the Startup Folders (Current User and All Users). They can be
started at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit, Task Scheduler, and I'm sure I'm
forgetting a few other start places.
There are several ways of dealing with these autostart programs, via the
programs themselves, via registry edits or with the aid of helper
applications. The preferred method is to go in the programs themselves
and turn off the autostart option. The well written and graceful
programs always give an option to be turned off at boot. It's the not
so well written or graceful programs that present a bit of a difficulty
as they can be hidden in in the other startup places. IF that is the
case then you can look in the 4 keys mentioned above and see if you can
disable them from there. If you can't at the reg keys then look in the
Services management console and see if you can set the associated
service to "Manual" start instead of "Auto". Check the Startup Folders
and delete the entries if there.
If you still are having difficulties then the helper application will
come in handy. I recommend the following:
CodeStuff Starter:
http://members.lycos.co.uk/codestuff/
Sysinternals Autoruns:
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/autoruns.shtml
You can also download XP msconfig from the internet and place it in your
System32 folder and use it to look at/disable the startup entries.
John
