Too many startup processes

[Scorchar]

I use WinXP Pro SP 2 with all updates & hotfixes
..
Using ToniArts EasyCleaner, the Startup Inspector shows the following
programs as starting:
Microsoft Windows Operating System C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
Microsoft Windows Operating System C:\WINDOWS\system32\HDAudPropShortcut.exe
Microsoft Windows Operating System C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
Microsoft Windows Operating System C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe

That's not a typo, the last 2 are the same.

From memory of previous reports, I used to only have 2 programs in the
Operating System category but I can't remember which ones.

My interest is that something is slowing my computer down significantly.
Registry Mechanic shows no errors. I've used Diskkeeper to defrag
everything.

I'm guessing that if I remove the wrong startup entry my computer will
no longer start. So how do I work out what shouldn't be there?

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

I'm guessing that if I remove the wrong startup entry my computer will
no longer start.

Windows XP does not require any entries for startup. If you remove the wrong entry erroneously, the application will not run at startup. That's it.

Regarding rundll32.exe: Rundll32.exe is a system file which executes DLLs (DLL name passed as the parameter). It's important to note the name of the DLL in order to determine the corresponding application.

See:

What's the suspicious Rundll32.exe process?:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/rundll32.htm

List all processes and their Command-line parameters:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/listproc.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


I use WinXP Pro SP 2 with all updates & hotfixes
..
Using ToniArts EasyCleaner, the Startup Inspector shows the following
programs as starting:
Microsoft Windows Operating System C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
Microsoft Windows Operating System C:\WINDOWS\system32\HDAudPropShortcut.exe
Microsoft Windows Operating System C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
Microsoft Windows Operating System C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe

That's not a typo, the last 2 are the same.

From memory of previous reports, I used to only have 2 programs in the
Operating System category but I can't remember which ones.

My interest is that something is slowing my computer down significantly.
Registry Mechanic shows no errors. I've used Diskkeeper to defrag
everything.

I'm guessing that if I remove the wrong startup entry my computer will
no longer start. So how do I work out what shouldn't be there?