Change priority or order of startup programs?

[JasonW]

I load a handful of programs at startup, including Zone Alarm. I'd like this
program in particular to load first or towards the beginning, but right now
it is loading about a minute or so after startup. This may be due to the HP
printer drivers that are loading around the same time, and they eat up the
CPU at around 99% for a good minute. Anyway, the security issue is that Zone
Alarm won't catch anything that may be trying to communicate out during the
startup sequence. (I realize a better way to detect this particular issue is
to sniff with another machine on the hub while mine is booting up.) I don't
really think that anything is currently communicating out during startup,
besides the usual.

So all that being said, is there a way to change the order in which programs
load during startup (registry, services, and startup groups)?

-JasonW

 

[Steven L Umbach]

The firewall that I have tried starts as a service. I don't know if there is a way to
change when it starts but tend to doubt it since may services are dependant on each
other and need to start first. I think your risk is very small, but if it bothers you
I would get a perimeter firewall device also if you are using cable/dsl which would
be a good idea anyhow since I here there are worms/trojans that are able to disable
software firewalls. Even the $19 after rebate models at best Buy will give that
extra layer of protection. --- Steve