System configuration utility XP

[Guest]

When I run msconfig to review the startup programs I see an entry that is
completely blank under the columns 'startup item' and 'command'. The only
text is under the 'location' column and it reads: HKLM\SOFTWARE\microsoft\
windows\currentversion\run.

Am I safe in assuming if it is not identified that it is likely not legit
and I should take it out?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

This is known as a startup orphan.

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?

From 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 they 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...]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

I understand what you wrote and how it likely happened, although I have no
idea when and what program I likely did that to.

I assume that this also increases my bootup time.

Could this also be related an error message that I get at bootup three
times, then it goes away? --about msi installer





The registry shows as follows:
The top item is named: default, type is: reg_sz. and the data column is
blank.
Should I delete this entry completely. Is there a high risk if I do that?

This is known as a startup orphan.

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?

From 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 they 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...]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

When I run msconfig to review the startup programs I see an entry that is
completely blank under the columns 'startup item' and 'command'. The only
text is under the 'location' column and it reads:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\microsoft\ windows\currentversion\run.

Am I safe in assuming if it is not identified that it is likely not legit
and I should take it out?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

The registry shows as follows:

The top item is named: default, type is: reg_sz. and the data column is
blank.
Should I delete this entry completely. Is there a high risk if I do that?

Export the key first.

Open the Registry Editor and navigate to >>
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
In the left hand pane, right click on the Run folder, click Export.
In the Export Registry File dialog that pops up, click on the Desktop icon
on the left. This will send the file to your Desktop.
Type the name Run in the File name box.
Click the Save button.
Minimize the Registry Editor and see if you have Run.reg on your Desktop.
Back in the Registry Editor, right click (Default), click Delete and click
Yes to the prompt.
Close the Registry Editor.
See if the orphan entry is gone from msconfig.

If you have any problems, post back and we can re-create the Run key.



--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I understand what you wrote and how it likely happened, although I have no
idea when and what program I likely did that to.

I assume that this also increases my bootup time.

Could this also be related an error message that I get at bootup three
times, then it goes away? --about msi installer





The registry shows as follows:
The top item is named: default, type is: reg_sz. and the data column is
blank.
Should I delete this entry completely. Is there a high risk if I do that?

This is known as a startup orphan.

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?

From 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 they 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...]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

When I run msconfig to review the startup programs I see an entry that
is completely blank under the columns 'startup item' and 'command'. The
only text is under the 'location' column and it reads:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\microsoft\ windows\currentversion\run.

Am I safe in assuming if it is not identified that it is likely not
legit and I should take it out?