Startup Question

[Wayne Wengert]

If I run msconfig and click the Startup tab, one of the checked entris has
no "Startup Item" nor "Command" listed. How can I determine what this is?

 

[Ayush]

It can be a spy/trojan/virus. Scan your Computer.

You can try this :

1. Note its location.
2. Start > Run > Type regedit
3. Navigate to Location.
4. See if you can find something.




--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/

Replied to [Wayne Wengert]'s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------

 

[Wayne Wengert]

here is no location listed. I have run anti spyware checks.

Wayne

It can be a spy/trojan/virus. Scan your Computer.

You can try this :

1. Note its location.
2. Start > Run > Type regedit
3. Navigate to Location.
4. See if you can find something.




--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/

Replied to [Wayne Wengert]'s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------

If I run msconfig and click the Startup tab, one of the checked
entris has no "Startup Item" nor "Command" listed. How can I
determine what this is?

 

[DatabaseBen]

it's an orphan / remnant of
a startup file that no longer has a parent
program.

here is no location listed. I have run anti spyware checks.

Wayne

It can be a spy/trojan/virus. Scan your Computer.

You can try this :

1. Note its location.
2. Start > Run > Type regedit
3. Navigate to Location.
4. See if you can find something.




--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/

Replied to [Wayne Wengert]'s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------

If I run msconfig and click the Startup tab, one of the checked
entris has no "Startup Item" nor "Command" listed. How can I
determine what this is?

 

[Wayne Wengert]

Thanks for that information. I'll un-check it and see what happens.

Wayne

it's an orphan / remnant of
a startup file that no longer has a parent
program.

here is no location listed. I have run anti spyware checks.

Wayne

It can be a spy/trojan/virus. Scan your Computer.

You can try this :

1. Note its location.
2. Start > Run > Type regedit
3. Navigate to Location.
4. See if you can find something.




--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/

Replied to [Wayne Wengert]'s message :

 

[Nepatsfan]

After you uncheck that entry in msconfig, check the following
registry keys. They may provide some clue as to what program
placed that item in your startup list.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared
Tools\MSConfig\startupreg

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared
Tools\MSConfig\startupfolder

Good luck

Nepatsfan

(e-mail address removed),

Thanks for that information. I'll un-check it and see what
happens.
Wayne

it's an orphan / remnant of
a startup file that no longer has a parent
program.

here is no location listed. I have run anti spyware checks.

Wayne

"Ayush" <ayushmaan.j[aatt]gmail.com> wrote in message
It can be a spy/trojan/virus. Scan your Computer.

You can try this :

1. Note its location.
2. Start > Run > Type regedit
3. Navigate to Location.
4. See if you can find something.




--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia -
http://en.wikipedia.org Snip your long urls -
http://snipurl.com/ Replied to [Wayne Wengert]'s message :

 

[Wesley Vogel]

A startup orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.
A target is the file which a startup will run when invoked.

If there is no path in Value Data, the item shows up blank in
msconfig | Startup. Also if Default under Data is blank (nothing
there at all) instead of (value not set).

Start | Run | Type: regedit | Click OK |
Navigate to >>
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

What do you see in the right hand pane?
Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
column?

Start | Run | Type: regedit | Click OK |
Navigate to >>
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

What do you see in the right hand pane?
Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
column?

From PCForrest StartMan\Help

[[An orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.
A target is the file which a startup will run when invoked.

How do Orphans occur?
They primarily occur because you've disabled a startup and then, at a later
date, uninstalled the program that uses it. The uninstaller won't know
about the disabled startup so it gets left behind. And if the uninstaller
deletes the target file then the startup becomes an orphan.

Orphans can also occur if you rename or move the target file elsewhere.
Where an orphan is also enabled you may see missing file reports at startup.
In the case of menu startups (shortcuts), the shell will attempt to resolve
the target by a brute-force search for the file based upon the information
stored in the shortcut.

How do I avoid creating orphans when uninstalling software?
Firstly, before uninstalling any software, ensure all its startups are
enabled with StartMan. This ensures all its startups can be located. Next,
use the program's own options to disable or remove the startups - if that is
an option. Finally, uninstall the software. All things being equal, the
startups should be gone, along with the software that used them. If
not...

How should I deal with orphans?
In most cases the orphan should simply be deleted. However, there are
instances where this might be impractical. For instance, a program that
automatically restores its own startups will continually recreate the
orphan - unless it also re-instates the target. In such cases the best
course of action is to disable the startup via the program that uses it.
But if no option exists then uninstalling the software is the only practical
option. If the software is essential to you, you should consider restoring
the target.

Do I have to delete orphans?
No, you don't have to if you don't want to. If they're disabled they'll
cause no real problems except to confuse you during troubleshooting. But if
they're enabled you should consider removing them. If they're not required,
then they have no business being there at all.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks for that information. I'll un-check it and see what happens.

Wayne

it's an orphan / remnant of
a startup file that no longer has a parent
program.

here is no location listed. I have run anti spyware checks.

Wayne

"Ayush" <ayushmaan.j[aatt]gmail.com> wrote in message
It can be a spy/trojan/virus. Scan your Computer.

You can try this :

1. Note its location.
2. Start > Run > Type regedit
3. Navigate to Location.
4. See if you can find something.




--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/

Replied to [Wayne Wengert]'s message :

 

[Wayne Wengert]

Thanks for that very eucational response.

Wayne

A startup orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.
A target is the file which a startup will run when invoked.

If there is no path in Value Data, the item shows up blank in
msconfig | Startup. Also if Default under Data is blank (nothing
there at all) instead of (value not set).

Start | Run | Type: regedit | Click OK |
Navigate to >>
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

What do you see in the right hand pane?
Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
column?

Start | Run | Type: regedit | Click OK |
Navigate to >>
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

What do you see in the right hand pane?
Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
column?

From PCForrest StartMan\Help

[[An orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.
A target is the file which a startup will run when invoked.

How do Orphans occur?
They primarily occur because you've disabled a startup and then, at a
later
date, uninstalled the program that uses it. The uninstaller won't know
about the disabled startup so it gets left behind. And if the uninstaller
deletes the target file then the startup becomes an orphan.

Orphans can also occur if you rename or move the target file elsewhere.
Where an orphan is also enabled you may see missing file reports at
startup.
In the case of menu startups (shortcuts), the shell will attempt to
resolve
the target by a brute-force search for the file based upon the information
stored in the shortcut.

How do I avoid creating orphans when uninstalling software?
Firstly, before uninstalling any software, ensure all its startups are
enabled with StartMan. This ensures all its startups can be located.
Next,
use the program's own options to disable or remove the startups - if that
is
an option. Finally, uninstall the software. All things being equal, the
startups should be gone, along with the software that used them. If
not...

How should I deal with orphans?
In most cases the orphan should simply be deleted. However, there are
instances where this might be impractical. For instance, a program that
automatically restores its own startups will continually recreate the
orphan - unless it also re-instates the target. In such cases the best
course of action is to disable the startup via the program that uses it.
But if no option exists then uninstalling the software is the only
practical
option. If the software is essential to you, you should consider
restoring
the target.

Do I have to delete orphans?
No, you don't have to if you don't want to. If they're disabled they'll
cause no real problems except to confuse you during troubleshooting. But
if
they're enabled you should consider removing them. If they're not
required,
then they have no business being there at all.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks for that information. I'll un-check it and see what happens.

Wayne

it's an orphan / remnant of
a startup file that no longer has a parent
program.


here is no location listed. I have run anti spyware checks.

Wayne

"Ayush" <ayushmaan.j[aatt]gmail.com> wrote in message
It can be a spy/trojan/virus. Scan your Computer.

You can try this :

1. Note its location.
2. Start > Run > Type regedit
3. Navigate to Location.
4. See if you can find something.




--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/

Replied to [Wayne Wengert]'s message :

 

[NewScience]

Wesley:

You are correct. There is something that is installed/uninstalled that is
wiping out the (Default) data.
Instead of seeing the typical (value not set), it's blank. I have been
trying to track down who/what is changing that but have not determined yet.

I think I will but a registry monitor on the key value and try and trap the
joker.

What I have been doing is exporting the key, deleting it, modifying the
export file and remove the Default value, Recreate the Run key and then
import the file.

A startup orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.
A target is the file which a startup will run when invoked.

If there is no path in Value Data, the item shows up blank in
msconfig | Startup. Also if Default under Data is blank (nothing
there at all) instead of (value not set).

Start | Run | Type: regedit | Click OK |
Navigate to >>
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

What do you see in the right hand pane?
Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
column?

Start | Run | Type: regedit | Click OK |
Navigate to >>
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

What do you see in the right hand pane?
Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
column?

From PCForrest StartMan\Help

[[An orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.
A target is the file which a startup will run when invoked.

How do Orphans occur?
They primarily occur because you've disabled a startup and then, at a
later
date, uninstalled the program that uses it. The uninstaller won't know
about the disabled startup so it gets left behind. And if the uninstaller
deletes the target file then the startup becomes an orphan.

Orphans can also occur if you rename or move the target file elsewhere.
Where an orphan is also enabled you may see missing file reports at
startup.
In the case of menu startups (shortcuts), the shell will attempt to
resolve
the target by a brute-force search for the file based upon the information
stored in the shortcut.

How do I avoid creating orphans when uninstalling software?
Firstly, before uninstalling any software, ensure all its startups are
enabled with StartMan. This ensures all its startups can be located.
Next,
use the program's own options to disable or remove the startups - if that
is
an option. Finally, uninstall the software. All things being equal, the
startups should be gone, along with the software that used them. If
not...

How should I deal with orphans?
In most cases the orphan should simply be deleted. However, there are
instances where this might be impractical. For instance, a program that
automatically restores its own startups will continually recreate the
orphan - unless it also re-instates the target. In such cases the best
course of action is to disable the startup via the program that uses it.
But if no option exists then uninstalling the software is the only
practical
option. If the software is essential to you, you should consider
restoring
the target.

Do I have to delete orphans?
No, you don't have to if you don't want to. If they're disabled they'll
cause no real problems except to confuse you during troubleshooting. But
if
they're enabled you should consider removing them. If they're not
required,
then they have no business being there at all.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks for that information. I'll un-check it and see what happens.

Wayne

it's an orphan / remnant of
a startup file that no longer has a parent
program.


here is no location listed. I have run anti spyware checks.

Wayne

"Ayush" <ayushmaan.j[aatt]gmail.com> wrote in message
It can be a spy/trojan/virus. Scan your Computer.

You can try this :

1. Note its location.
2. Start > Run > Type regedit
3. Navigate to Location.
4. See if you can find something.




--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/

Replied to [Wayne Wengert]'s message :

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Wayne, I try to only post eucational responses. ;-) Keep having fun.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks for that very eucational response.

Wayne

A startup orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.
A target is the file which a startup will run when invoked.

If there is no path in Value Data, the item shows up blank in
msconfig | Startup. Also if Default under Data is blank (nothing
there at all) instead of (value not set).

Start | Run | Type: regedit | Click OK |
Navigate to >>
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

What do you see in the right hand pane?
Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
column?

Start | Run | Type: regedit | Click OK |
Navigate to >>
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

What do you see in the right hand pane?
Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
column?

From PCForrest StartMan\Help

[[An orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.
A target is the file which a startup will run when invoked.

How do Orphans occur?
They primarily occur because you've disabled a startup and then, at a
later
date, uninstalled the program that uses it. The uninstaller won't know
about the disabled startup so it gets left behind. And if the
uninstaller deletes the target file then the startup becomes an orphan.

Orphans can also occur if you rename or move the target file elsewhere.
Where an orphan is also enabled you may see missing file reports at
startup.
In the case of menu startups (shortcuts), the shell will attempt to
resolve
the target by a brute-force search for the file based upon the
information stored in the shortcut.

How do I avoid creating orphans when uninstalling software?
Firstly, before uninstalling any software, ensure all its startups are
enabled with StartMan. This ensures all its startups can be located.
Next,
use the program's own options to disable or remove the startups - if that
is
an option. Finally, uninstall the software. All things being equal, the
startups should be gone, along with the software that used them. If
not...

How should I deal with orphans?
In most cases the orphan should simply be deleted. However, there are
instances where this might be impractical. For instance, a program that
automatically restores its own startups will continually recreate the
orphan - unless it also re-instates the target. In such cases the best
course of action is to disable the startup via the program that uses it.
But if no option exists then uninstalling the software is the only
practical
option. If the software is essential to you, you should consider
restoring
the target.

Do I have to delete orphans?
No, you don't have to if you don't want to. If they're disabled they'll
cause no real problems except to confuse you during troubleshooting. But
if
they're enabled you should consider removing them. If they're not
required,
then they have no business being there at all.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks for that information. I'll un-check it and see what happens.

Wayne

it's an orphan / remnant of
a startup file that no longer has a parent
program.


here is no location listed. I have run anti spyware checks.

Wayne

"Ayush" <ayushmaan.j[aatt]gmail.com> wrote in message
It can be a spy/trojan/virus. Scan your Computer.

You can try this :

1. Note its location.
2. Start > Run > Type regedit
3. Navigate to Location.
4. See if you can find something.




--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/

Replied to [Wayne Wengert]'s message :

 

[Wesley Vogel]

trying to track down who/what

You have more than one user on your machine?

If you do, *they* are most certainly guilty. LOL

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Wesley:

You are correct. There is something that is installed/uninstalled that is
wiping out the (Default) data.
Instead of seeing the typical (value not set), it's blank. I have been
trying to track down who/what is changing that but have not determined
yet.

I think I will but a registry monitor on the key value and try and trap
the joker.

What I have been doing is exporting the key, deleting it, modifying the
export file and remove the Default value, Recreate the Run key and then
import the file.

A startup orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.
A target is the file which a startup will run when invoked.

If there is no path in Value Data, the item shows up blank in
msconfig | Startup. Also if Default under Data is blank (nothing
there at all) instead of (value not set).

Start | Run | Type: regedit | Click OK |
Navigate to >>
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

What do you see in the right hand pane?
Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
column?

Start | Run | Type: regedit | Click OK |
Navigate to >>
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

What do you see in the right hand pane?
Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
column?

From PCForrest StartMan\Help

[[An orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.
A target is the file which a startup will run when invoked.

How do Orphans occur?
They primarily occur because you've disabled a startup and then, at a
later
date, uninstalled the program that uses it. The uninstaller won't know
about the disabled startup so it gets left behind. And if the
uninstaller deletes the target file then the startup becomes an orphan.

Orphans can also occur if you rename or move the target file elsewhere.
Where an orphan is also enabled you may see missing file reports at
startup.
In the case of menu startups (shortcuts), the shell will attempt to
resolve
the target by a brute-force search for the file based upon the
information stored in the shortcut.

How do I avoid creating orphans when uninstalling software?
Firstly, before uninstalling any software, ensure all its startups are
enabled with StartMan. This ensures all its startups can be located.
Next,
use the program's own options to disable or remove the startups - if that
is
an option. Finally, uninstall the software. All things being equal, the
startups should be gone, along with the software that used them. If
not...

How should I deal with orphans?
In most cases the orphan should simply be deleted. However, there are
instances where this might be impractical. For instance, a program that
automatically restores its own startups will continually recreate the
orphan - unless it also re-instates the target. In such cases the best
course of action is to disable the startup via the program that uses it.
But if no option exists then uninstalling the software is the only
practical
option. If the software is essential to you, you should consider
restoring
the target.

Do I have to delete orphans?
No, you don't have to if you don't want to. If they're disabled they'll
cause no real problems except to confuse you during troubleshooting. But
if
they're enabled you should consider removing them. If they're not
required,
then they have no business being there at all.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks for that information. I'll un-check it and see what happens.

Wayne

it's an orphan / remnant of
a startup file that no longer has a parent
program.


here is no location listed. I have run anti spyware checks.

Wayne

"Ayush" <ayushmaan.j[aatt]gmail.com> wrote in message
It can be a spy/trojan/virus. Scan your Computer.

You can try this :

1. Note its location.
2. Start > Run > Type regedit
3. Navigate to Location.
4. See if you can find something.




--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/

Replied to [Wayne Wengert]'s message :

 

[lurkswithin]

download winpatrol (free)and see what it has listed in the start-up
folder. Highlite it and click the info for all the information that
is found.

http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html