Where can I find and delete start-up processes?

[Ed from AZ]

I tried to install a new printer on my Dell D600 / XP pro laptop.
Unfortunately, while the software installed fine, the printer didn't
work. No biggie - I've got another printer. Uninstall software and
toss printer.

Except - the software left some remnants that want to keep looking on
the web for updates! This make for a very slow boot when I'm not
connected to the internet. Task Manager and msconfig identify these
processes, but how do I *safely* hunt them down and kill them where
they live (presumably in the registry)?

Ed

 

[Nepatsfan]

I tried to install a new printer on my Dell D600 / XP pro laptop.
Unfortunately, while the software installed fine, the printer didn't
work. No biggie - I've got another printer. Uninstall software and
toss printer.

Except - the software left some remnants that want to keep looking on
the web for updates! This make for a very slow boot when I'm not
connected to the internet. Task Manager and msconfig identify these
processes, but how do I *safely* hunt them down and kill them where
they live (presumably in the registry)?

Ed

Odds are the entries to launch the updater are located under one of these
two registry keys.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

You could delete them manually. Personally, I prefer to use this free
program available from Microsoft when dealing with this type of problem.

AutoRuns for Windows v9.36
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

Once you've downloaded and extracted the files, run autoruns.exe. Click on
the Logon tab. Uncheck the suspected entries. Close the program and restart
your computer to see if this solves the problem. Once you're satisfied with
the results you can launch Autoruns again and delete those entries.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Kelly]

Start/Run: msconfig
Startup

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

Windows XP - Startup Tracker:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/StartupTracker3.zip

--

All the Best and Happy Holidays,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[philo]

I tried to install a new printer on my Dell D600 / XP pro laptop.
Unfortunately, while the software installed fine, the printer didn't
work. No biggie - I've got another printer. Uninstall software and
toss printer.

Except - the software left some remnants that want to keep looking on
the web for updates! This make for a very slow boot when I'm not
connected to the internet. Task Manager and msconfig identify these
processes, but how do I *safely* hunt them down and kill them where
they live (presumably in the registry)?

Ed

First thing to do is simply run msconfig
and remove anything related to your former printer in the startup tab.


After a reboot
if there is anything left
have a look in

administrative tools
component services
services local


you can disable startup of any unwanted service...

but check what your are doing carefully
and take note of any changes you've made

 

[JS]

Try Autoruns from the MS Windows SysInternals site:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

AutoRuns will show/list all apps/etc. that load/run when you first boot ...
(the 'Boot Execute' tab),
when you logon (the 'Logon' tab) and other programs that load
(grouped by labeled tabs) for easy viewing.

It also provides the ability to selectively allows you to stop
(use with care) any program that you don't want to load.
You can undo any changes you have made.

Note: To get additional details on an item in the list you can't
readily identify you may need to highlight the item (right click) and use
the 'Search Online' option to get the details,
especially useful for the more obscure items in the list.

JS
http://www.pagestart.com

 

[Ed from AZ]

Wow! Lots of good info so fast! Thanks much to all who responded.
I'll give this a shot over the holidays, and yell back if it all goes
up in smoke. 8>)

Ed