Windows XP startup - any experts out there?

[jvv]

Actually I posted this question earlier today in 3
different forums but nobody wanted to touch it. Somebody
apparently erased it which I found somewhat annoying.

The simple question is, how do I change which programs
open on startup?

The longer version of the question which I posted this
morning is as follows:

Yesterday I was using Windows media player (Version
9.0.0.2980), to play a music CD. Then I noticed that
my "Ad-Subtract" software (pop-up blocker) had
disappeared from my toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
I went into C Drive, programs and found it, opened it,
and.....up comes Windows media player.

I thought maybe it is a problem with Ad-Subtract so I
uninstalled it. I also did a scan of my system with
another program (Spybot Search & Destroy - freeware), and
one of the things it found was a changed registry in
Windows Media Player.

I clicked on "fix problem", and was told everything was
fixed. But now when I startup my system, Windows Media
Player automatically opens (Ad-Subtract normally used to
automatically open on start up - as I wished it to,
though I did not have to think about it, or close any
extra windows, etc.)

Opening C Drive, Programs, Windows Media Player,
the "Details" box on the lower left margin informs me
that the program was modified yesterday. I don't know how
it was modified.

Not sure what I did, but I would sure like to figure out
how to undo this and then reinstall my Ad-Subtract
program. Can you please help?

[wojo]

See below ->
"jvv" > wrote in message
...
> Actually I posted this question earlier today in 3
> different forums but nobody wanted to touch it. Somebody
> apparently erased it which I found somewhat annoying.

We don't have the ability to "erase" your post

>
> The simple question is, how do I change which programs
> open on startup?

Either through the program options or by placing it in the "Startup" folder.

>
> The longer version of the question which I posted this
> morning is as follows:
>
> Yesterday I was using Windows media player (Version
> 9.0.0.2980), to play a music CD. Then I noticed that
> my "Ad-Subtract" software (pop-up blocker) had
> disappeared from my toolbar at the bottom of the screen.

You likely have "Hide inactive icons" enabled. The pop-up blocker probably
didn't disappear but more likely was hidden.
Was the a little arrow icon at the edge of the taskbar?
If so then clicking on it would have shown you the icon, if the feature is
enabled your icons are hidden when not in use for a period of time to keep
desktop clutter to a minimum.
You can deactivate this feature if you like:
Right click on the taskbar and click properties. Remove the check next to
"Hide inactive icons"

> I went into C Drive, programs and found it, opened it,
> and.....up comes Windows media player.
>

Now you got me, I have no idea what happened there.

> I thought maybe it is a problem with Ad-Subtract so I
> uninstalled it. I also did a scan of my system with
> another program (Spybot Search & Destroy - freeware), and
> one of the things it found was a changed registry in
> Windows Media Player.
>
> I clicked on "fix problem", and was told everything was
> fixed. But now when I startup my system, Windows Media
> Player automatically opens (Ad-Subtract normally used to
> automatically open on start up - as I wished it to,
> though I did not have to think about it, or close any
> extra windows, etc.)
>

Look in the startup folder to see if MediaPlayer or maybe a media file are
there causing the program to open at startup.

> Opening C Drive, Programs, Windows Media Player,
> the "Details" box on the lower left margin informs me
> that the program was modified yesterday. I don't know how
> it was modified.
>
> Not sure what I did, but I would sure like to figure out
> how to undo this and then reinstall my Ad-Subtract
> program. Can you please help?
>
>

I don't know if Ad-Subtract was a problem or not as I've never used it but
you could download and install the google toolbar. It has a built-in popup
blocker with it and is also free.

--

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--

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[dev]

/jvv/ said:

> Actually I posted this question earlier today in 3
> different forums but nobody wanted to touch it. Somebody
> apparently erased it which I found somewhat annoying.
>
> The simple question is, how do I change which programs
> open on startup?
>
> The longer version of the question which I posted this
> morning is as follows:
>
> Yesterday I was using Windows media player (Version
> 9.0.0.2980), to play a music CD. Then I noticed that
> my "Ad-Subtract" software (pop-up blocker) had
> disappeared from my toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
> I went into C Drive, programs and found it, opened it,
> and.....up comes Windows media player.
>
> I thought maybe it is a problem with Ad-Subtract so I
> uninstalled it. I also did a scan of my system with
> another program (Spybot Search & Destroy - freeware), and
> one of the things it found was a changed registry in
> Windows Media Player.
>
> I clicked on "fix problem", and was told everything was
> fixed. But now when I startup my system, Windows Media
> Player automatically opens (Ad-Subtract normally used to
> automatically open on start up - as I wished it to,
> though I did not have to think about it, or close any
> extra windows, etc.)
>
> Opening C Drive, Programs, Windows Media Player,
> the "Details" box on the lower left margin informs me
> that the program was modified yesterday. I don't know how
> it was modified.
>
> Not sure what I did, but I would sure like to figure out
> how to undo this and then reinstall my Ad-Subtract
> program. Can you please help?

There are many places from which programs can be launched at start up.
Check START|ALL PROGRAMS|START UP for a shortcut to WMP. A shortcut to
A/S there might do the job.

In that utility's own configuration there may be an option to "start when
Windows starts" or similar language.

Also click START|RUN and type "msconfig" (no quotes) <enter>. Click the
Start Up tab. See if the programs are listed. Then check or uncheck the
boxes beside them, as desired.

--
For most XP answers and tweaks...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm
http://dougknox.com http://aumha.org
http://support.microsoft.com

[Frank Pecenka]

Not an expert as an ex is a has been and a spurt is a drip under pressure.

Run msconfig from the start menu
select the startup tab
uncheck unwanted programs from the startup list
select OK
reboot

Lugnut

"jvv" > wrote in message
...
> Actually I posted this question earlier today in 3
> different forums but nobody wanted to touch it. Somebody
> apparently erased it which I found somewhat annoying.
>
> The simple question is, how do I change which programs
> open on startup?
>
> The longer version of the question which I posted this
> morning is as follows:
>
> Yesterday I was using Windows media player (Version
> 9.0.0.2980), to play a music CD. Then I noticed that
> my "Ad-Subtract" software (pop-up blocker) had
> disappeared from my toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
> I went into C Drive, programs and found it, opened it,
> and.....up comes Windows media player.
>
> I thought maybe it is a problem with Ad-Subtract so I
> uninstalled it. I also did a scan of my system with
> another program (Spybot Search & Destroy - freeware), and
> one of the things it found was a changed registry in
> Windows Media Player.
>
> I clicked on "fix problem", and was told everything was
> fixed. But now when I startup my system, Windows Media
> Player automatically opens (Ad-Subtract normally used to
> automatically open on start up - as I wished it to,
> though I did not have to think about it, or close any
> extra windows, etc.)
>
> Opening C Drive, Programs, Windows Media Player,
> the "Details" box on the lower left margin informs me
> that the program was modified yesterday. I don't know how
> it was modified.
>
> Not sure what I did, but I would sure like to figure out
> how to undo this and then reinstall my Ad-Subtract
> program. Can you please help?
>
>

>-----Original Message-----
>In ,
>jvv > typed:
>
>> Actually I posted this question earlier today in 3
>> different forums but nobody wanted to touch it.
Somebody
>> apparently erased it which I found somewhat annoying.
>
>
>Note all of the following:
>
>1. Nobody erased it. Nobody here has the ability to do
that.

Noted.
>
>2. The reason you're problems finding your message and
any
>replies to it is that you are using the web interface to
read
>this newsgroup--it's the slowest, clunkiest, most error-
prone
>method there is. Do yourself a favor and switch to a
newsreader,
>such as Outlook Express, which comes with Windows.

Thanks for this suggestion, I'm going to be moving in a
week and will have a new ISP so I'll look into the OE
newsreader solution you suggest when I hook up again.
>
>3. Please do not send the same message separately to
more than
>one newsgroup. Doing so just fragments the thread, so
someone who
>answers in one newsgroup doesn't get to see answers from
others
>in another newsgroup. If you must send the same message
to more
>than one newsgroup, please do so by crossposting (but
only to a
>*few* related newsgroups).

Okay. Sounds logical.
>
>
>> The simple question is, how do I change which programs
>> open on startup?
>
>
>On each program you don't want to start automatically,
check its
>Options to see if it has the choice not to start. Many
can easily
>and best be stopped that way.

Okay, I will try this

If that doesn't work, run MSCONFIG
>from the Start | Run line, and on the Startup tab,
uncheck the
>programs you don't want to start automatically.

I did this, but Windows Media Player was not on the list
so I could not uncheck it.

Something wierd is happening. Now when I click on my
Webshots icon (screensaver freeware) - something that has
automatically opened at Startup - the Webshots program
comes up.....AND so does WMP! Wierd!
>
>--
>Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
>Please reply to the newsgroup
>
>
>.
>