Programs starting up on their own.

[Jeffrey Hunter]

For about the past 2 weeks, everytime I turn on my
computer, several different programs begin to open up on
their own. It looks like my computer is being control by
someone or something else. This lasts for a few seconds
and happens about every 5 to 10 minutes. Anyone have any
suggestions as to what this could be? Thanks

 

[jeff]

Which programs are they? Stuff you recognize? Always the same ones?
Have you installed anything recently? I assume that you have checked
the startup folder and they are not there( if they are, you could just
delete the shortcuts from that folder) Not everything that starts
automatically at boot is in there. Some programs are set up in the
registry to do this. You can always use MSconfig to stop these-click
the startup tab and uncheck anything there that you do not want to
start. The next time you boot, it will warn you that it is following
your new instructions, so you have to uncheck a box so that it will
not tell you again on the next boot.

There is also a program called Startup control panel by Pcworld that
will give you some control over what does and what does not autostart

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,7976,00.asp

 

[dev]

Jeffrey Hunter said:

For about the past 2 weeks, everytime I turn on my
computer, several different programs begin to open up on
their own. It looks like my computer is being control by
someone or something else. This lasts for a few seconds
and happens about every 5 to 10 minutes. Anyone have any
suggestions as to what this could be? Thanks

Install a firewall, such as ZoneAlarm, to see if an app is attempting to
send data.

Install AdAware, which will detect most intruders, and offer to remove them
Or Spybot.

http://www.lavasoftusa.com
http://spybot.eon.net.au/