Msconfig question

[Guest]

I am puzzled as to the operation of the configuration utility in XP Pro.
When I use it, it appears to offer a range of dialogues for changing system
settings, but whenever I change any, it just opens next time, with a message
that I should go back to a 'normal' start up. What is the point of having a
utility with the settings all in one convenient place, and then making it so
that (apparently) changes can only be made on a temporary basis?

Is this the way it is meant to work, or am I missing something?

Cheers,
S

 

[Mick Murphy]

You have to read the message properly.
Select a "Selective" startup, and not to remind you again.

 

[Twayne]

I am puzzled as to the operation of the configuration utility in XP

Pro. When I use it, it appears to offer a range of dialogues for
changing system settings, but whenever I change any, it just opens
next time, with a message that I should go back to a 'normal' start
up. What is the point of having a utility with the settings all in
one convenient place, and then making it so that (apparently) changes
can only be made on a temporary basis?
Is this the way it is meant to work, or am I missing something?

Cheers,
S

Yes, right or wrong, that's how it was intended to work. MSConfig is
actually intended as a troubleshooting tool, not a tool for system
control. It gives you a lot of useful possibilities in how and with
what you boot and which services run, etc., but then it sort of just
walks away from you. You CAN use it to change settings, but in general
you're asking for trouble doing that because a year or so from now you
may not going remember what you did or why something is changed that
doesn't seem to make sense. Woulda/shoulda/coulda, the program SHOULD
have a method of making those setting permanent and doing them properly.
But ... it doesn't.

So, once you've used MSConfig to work out what to install, uninstall,
modify, tweak, start, stop or whatever, then it's assumed you will go
and do that on your own. Which isn't hard to do IF you happen to know
where to go to accomplish everything you might need. That part of it,
there is often help for right here; lots of people here are good with
whatever you might need, so feel free to ask.

HTH

Twayne

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was 10/10/2008 1:24 PM, and on a whim, spamlet pounded
out on the keyboard:

I am puzzled as to the operation of the configuration utility in XP Pro.
When I use it, it appears to offer a range of dialogues for changing system
settings, but whenever I change any, it just opens next time, with a message
that I should go back to a 'normal' start up. What is the point of having a
utility with the settings all in one convenient place, and then making it so
that (apparently) changes can only be made on a temporary basis?

Is this the way it is meant to work, or am I missing something?

Cheers,
S

Hi S,

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

You can uncheck an item to disable it, or right click & select Delete to
remove it. A tool designed to do what you want.

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

 

[Kayman]

I am puzzled as to the operation of the configuration utility in XP Pro.
When I use it, it appears to offer a range of dialogues for changing system
settings, but whenever I change any, it just opens next time, with a message
that I should go back to a 'normal' start up. What is the point of having a
utility with the settings all in one convenient place, and then making it so
that (apparently) changes can only be made on a temporary basis?

Is this the way it is meant to work, or am I missing something?

Instead of using msconfig it's much safer to 'play' around with AutoRuns
for Windows
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

 

[Guest]

Instead of using msconfig it's much safer to 'play' around with AutoRuns
for Windows
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

Thanks to all for the handy tips.

I've downloaded AutoRuns, and it looks just the job - very comprehensive
indeed!

Can it be run like msconfig from the run box?

Cheers,

S

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am puzzled as to the operation of the configuration utility in XP Pro.
When I use it, it appears to offer a range of dialogues for changing system
settings, but whenever I change any, it just opens next time, with a message
that I should go back to a 'normal' start up. What is the point of having a
utility with the settings all in one convenient place, and then making it so
that (apparently) changes can only be made on a temporary basis?

Is this the way it is meant to work, or am I missing something?

Cheers,
S

Remember, Msconfig was designed to be a troubleshooting tool, not a
"startup configurer." Use MSConfig to determine the location of the
command that is attempting to start the program, and remove it. To
cease the selective startup notifications, either return your settings
to the way they were, or permanently remove the undesirable programs
from your startup configuration.

In most cases, with "well-mannered" applications, it's usually as
simple as opening the undesired program and deselecting the option to
"display icon in the system tray" or to "start when Windows starts."

Additionally, Look in the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Start Up and C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start
Menu\Programs\Start Up folders, and in the system registry, primarily in
the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run keys.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310560



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[olfart]

Remember, Msconfig was designed to be a troubleshooting tool, not a
"startup configurer." Use MSConfig to determine the location of the
command that is attempting to start the program, and remove it. To cease
the selective startup notifications, either return your settings to the
way they were, or permanently remove the undesirable programs from your
startup configuration.

In most cases, with "well-mannered" applications, it's usually as
simple as opening the undesired program and deselecting the option to
"display icon in the system tray" or to "start when Windows starts."

Additionally, Look in the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Start Up and C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start
Menu\Programs\Start Up folders, and in the system registry, primarily in
the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run keys.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310560

go to http://www.mlin.net/ and get the free Startup Control Panel
use it instead of msconfig to control which programs start up

 

[Guest]

Remember, Msconfig was designed to be a troubleshooting tool, not a
"startup configurer." Use MSConfig to determine the location of the
command that is attempting to start the program, and remove it. To cease
the selective startup notifications, either return your settings to the
way they were, or permanently remove the undesirable programs from your
startup configuration.

In most cases, with "well-mannered" applications, it's usually as
simple as opening the undesired program and deselecting the option to
"display icon in the system tray" or to "start when Windows starts."

Additionally, Look in the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Start Up and C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start
Menu\Programs\Start Up folders, and in the system registry, primarily in
the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run keys.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310560

Thanks Bruce, good advice in a nutshell. I was not at all sure where to
look for the different bits of programmes. There are indeed not so "well
mannered" progs...

For example, in trying out Avast instead of our usual McAfee, I find, after
unchecking as many McAfee things as I could see, I still got the
programme's start up logo... and in writing this, I now notice the whole
thing has actually managed to start itself this time around too, and its
little shield has appeared in the notification area telling me it is
scanning despite me having supposedly turned it off, and it not showing in
Process Explorer! Autoruns, now shows me that the McAfee (Network
Associates) updater and 'virus statistic's are still running, and has a
number of 'shell extension' entries (whatever they are), but still can't see
anything to explain why the notification area still tells me the on access
scanner is still working!

I didn't want to uninstall the whole McAfee package until I had a decent
comparison with the Avast, but there appears to be no simple way of actually
turning it all off temporarily.

Anyhow, I now have more tools at my disposal than before. So thanks once
again.

S

 

[Guest]

go to http://www.mlin.net/ and get the free Startup Control Panel
use it instead of msconfig to control which programs start up

Thanks OLfart,

I already installed the Autoruns viewer, but this simpler display may come
in handy too. (Previously I'd used the start up viewer in SpyBot, but these
dedicated progs are quicker.)

Cheers,
S