Can Startup programs be delayed?

[LSUfan71]

I would like to delay a few Startup programs by about 10 or 15 seconds.
Zonealarm and Norton take a little while to get going and it seems to cause
problems with instant messaging programs I have in my Startup folder.

Is it possible to use the command line in the Startup shortcut to cause a
short delay?

Thanks for any help,

Donald S.

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Donald,

Don't understand the actual issue, but you can set the load order and delay
for the startup programs using a VBscript. Alternately, here is a Startup
Manager that might help.

Tech-Pro Utilities Startup:
http://www.tech-pro.net/startup.html#smgr

 

[LSUfan71]

I'll try Tech-Pro if I can't find a simpler solution.

To better explain: My computer will start Zonealarm and Norton Antivirus
first, usually. Then, under normal circumstances, I have at least 3 instant
messaging programs try to start at the same time. Almost always there are
connectivity issues which I assume are caused by Zonealarm and Norton trying
to start and configure themselves. I want the instant messaging programs to
be delayed a few seconds.

I once used the auto-start features within the instant messaging programs
but this causes them to start for every user. I don't want my 7 & 10 year
olds toying with instant messaging when they log on their seperate accounts.
Using the Startup folder is an easy way to control access to the programs
although I may soon revert to "Doug's Windows XP Security Console" to solve
this.

Thanks again,

Donald

 

[Guest]

Freeware Startup Delayer does exactly what you want to do.

 

[LSUfan71]

Thanks!