"Sharon F" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 21:07:49 -0600, ~ FreeSpirit ~ wrote:
## Here is a C&P of what is actually there.
NAV Agent c:\progra~1\norton~1\norton~1\navapw32.exe All Users
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run --- *** What is
this?
Navigator c:\progra~1\direcway\bin\dpcnav.exe All Users Common Startup
NvCplDaemon rundll32.exe c:\windows\system32\nvcpl.dll,nvstartup All
Users
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run ---*** What is this?
Recguard c:\windows\sminst\recguard.exe All Users
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Run StartupMonitor startupmonitor.exe All Users
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Symantec NetDriver Monitor c:\progra~1\symnet~1\sndmon.exe All Users
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run ---*** What is this?
WordWeb c:\progra~1\wordweb\wweb32.exe All Users Common Startup
desktop desktop.ini NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Startup -- ** Why are four
running?
desktop desktop.ini KAREN\Owner Startup
desktop desktop.ini .DEFAULT Startup
desktop desktop.ini All Users Common Startup
## The others I know what they are - but how do you tell what the others
are?
You're not taking in the meaning of all that you're seeing. Let's break
the
first startup item from the list into parts so that you can see it more
clearly...
NAV Agent c:\progra~1\norton~1\norton~1\navapw32.exe All Users
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run --- *** What is
this?
Navap32.exe is the executable file for a program component that uses the
"friendly name" NAV Agent to describe itself. The path to this executable
file is
c:\progra~1\norton~1\norton~1\navapw32.exe
$$ I know that one above the arrow is Norton. What is the one BELOW, with
the arrow?
This is the shortened version of a path that contains one or more long
file
name (LFN). LFN is any name that exceeds the old 8.3 naming convention.
Newer versions of Windows support LFN but the old shortened version (8.3)
shows up now and then "under the hood." I can only guess at what the
actual
path is. It will be something like this:
C:\Program Files\Norton-something-longer-than-8-
characters\Norton-again-something-longer-than-8-characters\navapw32.exe
$$ Exactly but what is this one? =
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run --- *** What is this?
This component is registered to load for "All Users."
The command that tells Windows to run this executable at startup is stored
in a subkey under this registry key:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
This is one of the elusive locations that you've been trying to track down
to better manage your startup programs.
When you open Registry Editor, you'll notice it has 2 columns. Navigate
to
HKLM\
## There is no HKLM (in the registry) but there is a KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and highlight the word
Run in the left column.
A list of startup items appears in the right hand pane. Among those items
will be one that mentions the path to the navapw32.exe file.
## Yes. I see it there.
Now that we have interpreted what MSCONFIG or System Information is
telling
you, let's talk about disabling the item.
If you do not know what NAV Agent (navapw32.exe) is or what it does,
## I did KNOW the Norton ones. It was the others I didn't know. Now I know.
:-)))
you
would look it up on the internet. Places to check might include : the
Symantec site since this is obviously a part of their software, one of the
sites that maintain startup lists such as Pac's Portal that Frank gave you
a link to. Here's another site that I've found to be a good reference:
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Taskl...s/tasklist.htm. The startup
sites are not all inclusive but they cover a lot of territory. Also, one
site may have information on items that another doesn't have.
## I just wanted to find the START/StartUp folder in WindowsExplorer (or
W.E.). Boy am I learning stuff... :-)))
Read any descriptions that you find for this item at these sites. Decide
if
it's something you want or don't want in startup.
To remove the item from startup via the registry editor, delete the subkey
(not the entire Run branch, just the subkey that mentions navap32.exe).
## Of course I wouldn't remove NAV and that's all that's there in the
registry at that point (RUN). Also StartupMonitor to keep scumware from
running if it sneaks onto my PC. I don't even see Direcway there??!?!?!
That must run for me to use the Satellite connection.. ??!?!!?.
NOTE: While you're in here, you might want to get rid of the leftover
subkeys that belong to programs that you no longer have installed.
## I see I can't transport the unneeded keys to save in case I make a
mistake. When I try to delete the old ZoneAlarm key it says: "Unable to
delete all specified values." How do I get rid of this subkey? Wait, I
deleted the main ZoneAlarm key and that got rid of it. I have to download
an older version of ZA since 5 was causing a real problem.
If you want a backup of a key that you are going to delete, export it
first. The export dialog will prompt you to save the exported data as a
.REG file. Name it in a manner that will remind you what it is for. After
the export and save is complete, delete the subkey.
## OK!
If you later decide that deleting the subkey was a mistake, you can double
click that saved .REG to merge the info back into the registry. The item
will be added back to startup and will load the next time the computer is
booted.
## That's good to know. I never had to reinstall a key or subkey.
On the other hand, after ascertaining that there are no ill effects from
removing the item from startup - you could delete the .REG file.
From the list that you copied and pasted above, these startup items I
don't
recognize: dpcnav.exe, recguard.exe,
## That one is my Satellite service. Direcway.
wweb32.exe
You'll need to look those up.
For the rest:
nvcpl.dll is part of nVidea drivers or one of the nVidia files that
augment
the Display control panel
startupmonitor.exe is what it says it is: your startup monitor program
## Yes, I knew all but the ones with the arrows.
Symantec NetDriver (sndmon.exe) more of Norton's stuff but don't know how
necessary it is or if it's okay to delete.
The assorted desktop.ini files aren't a problem. No need to worry about
those.
If all of this seems like too much bother, go back to using only MSCONFIG
and startup monitor to enable/disable startup programs.
## No, it's not too much trouble. I tried to find information on editing
the registry geared to non-techies in the past. Most info is geared to
those who know what they're doing, more or less.
While it's often
recommended to disable at the source, your computer won't burn up if you
elect to use these tools instead. You'll get annoying reminder from
MSCONFIG that you are in "selective startup" but can check a box that
tells
the program not to bother you again until another change is made via
MSCONFIG.
## Thank you so much Sharon. I'm really learning a lot from these MS NGs
and the URLS recommended. I will now check for more "leftovers" in the
registry.....
FS~