Apps in Programs / Startup fail to launch.

[baobob]

I've got Windows 2000 Professional Build 2195. However, I have had
this problem on and off for years, at least since Win 9x.

One or more apps named in menu Start / Programs / Startup never
launches, and nothing I try works.

If I click on these failing items MANUALLY (i.e. click on the icon
*in* Startup), they DO launch fine. I mean, huh?

Example: Yesterday, I had Windows Explorer, Excel and Firefox in
Startup, but only Excel and Firefox launched on startup. Win Explorer
was a complete no-show.

Today, after mucking around and re-creating the shortcut to Firefox,
now only Excel launches, and FIREFOX won't start.

I fail to understand how an OS can be this out of control.

What's going on?

Thanks much.

***

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I've got Windows 2000 Professional Build 2195. However, I have had
this problem on and off for years, at least since Win 9x.

One or more apps named in menu Start / Programs / Startup never
launches, and nothing I try works.

If I click on these failing items MANUALLY (i.e. click on the icon
*in* Startup), they DO launch fine. I mean, huh?

Example: Yesterday, I had Windows Explorer, Excel and Firefox in
Startup, but only Excel and Firefox launched on startup. Win Explorer
was a complete no-show.

Today, after mucking around and re-creating the shortcut to Firefox,
now only Excel launches, and FIREFOX won't start.

I fail to understand how an OS can be this out of control.

What's going on?

Thanks much.

***

I suspect a damaged installation, maybe by malware or a long
forgotten virus infection. Re-installing Windows on a freshly
formatted disk would cure the problem.

 

[baobob]

Thanks, Pegasus, for your kind reply.

Full disclosure paragraph: Yes, I've been chided by at least one
colleague for, like, going for years at a time without updating &
patching my OS. Guess I gotta bite the bullet & take your advice.

Thanks again.

***

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Thanks, Pegasus, for your kind reply.

Full disclosure paragraph: Yes, I've been chided by at least one
colleague for, like, going for years at a time without updating &
patching my OS. Guess I gotta bite the bullet & take your advice.

Thanks again.

***

Missed updates and patches may not be the problem. However,
OSs tend to accumulate various scars over the years, some of them
caused by malicious software, some by poorly written programs,
some by bugs and glitches. It's much the same with the human
body. When I was a baby the back of my hand was as smooth
as my bottom. These days it looks more like a patchwork landscape.
I can't replace the skin of my hands but I can certainly reload my
OS, which I do once every few years, usually from a pristine
image I took right at the beginning.