Start Up Mystery!

[Marco772]

Hello,
Having been unfortunate enough to get saddled with Windows ME I've faced a
multitude of problems, but here's a persistent one. Whenever my computer
boots up, once the desktop appears, I get the My Computer screen appearing
and I have to minimise it every time (if I close it it usually sets off a
bunch of error messages, but that's another story!). This is quite
irritating! I'm not very PC savy and was wondering if any of you experts have
any ideas? I WILL get a new PC eventually (with XP!) but in the meantime..
Thanks for reading,
Mark

[Noel Paton]

At a guess, you have Norton software installed? - If so, uninstall it, and
many of your problems will magically disappear!


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Marco772" > wrote in message
...
> Hello,
> Having been unfortunate enough to get saddled with Windows ME I've faced a
> multitude of problems, but here's a persistent one. Whenever my computer
> boots up, once the desktop appears, I get the My Computer screen appearing
> and I have to minimise it every time (if I close it it usually sets off a
> bunch of error messages, but that's another story!). This is quite
> irritating! I'm not very PC savy and was wondering if any of you experts
> have
> any ideas? I WILL get a new PC eventually (with XP!) but in the meantime..
> Thanks for reading,
> Mark

[Alan Edwards]

Is the My Computer screen opened to a particular folder?
If so, what?

Check in Msconfig for any oddities.
(Start-Run-MSCONFIG-Startup tab)
If you cannot see anything in Msconfig then:

Start-Run-msinfo32
Click the + beside Software Environment to expand.
Click Startup Programs
Ctrl+A to Select All, Ctrl+C to Copy.
Paste that information in your message.

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html

In microsoft.public.windowsme.general, "Marco772"
> wrote:

>Hello,
>Having been unfortunate enough to get saddled with Windows ME I've faced a
>multitude of problems, but here's a persistent one. Whenever my computer
>boots up, once the desktop appears, I get the My Computer screen appearing
>and I have to minimise it every time (if I close it it usually sets off a
>bunch of error messages, but that's another story!). This is quite
>irritating! I'm not very PC savy and was wondering if any of you experts have
>any ideas? I WILL get a new PC eventually (with XP!) but in the meantime..
>Thanks for reading,
>Mark

[Marco772]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies! Firstly. no, I don't have Norton (should I not get
Norton, when I get eventually get a new PC?).
Secondly, I couldn't see anything weird but, like I say, I don't really know
what's weird and what isn't.
Here's the Start up thing that I've copied and pasted;

*StateMgr c:\windows\system\restore\statemgr.exe All
Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
AVG7_AMSVR c:\progra~1\grisoft\avgfre~1\avgamsvr.exe All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
AVG7_CC c:\progra~1\grisoft\avgfre~1\avgcc.exe /startup All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
CountrySelection pctptt.exe All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
LexmarkPrinTray printray.exe All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
LexStart lexstart.exe All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Mentor Tray Icon .DEFAULT Startup
mm_server c:\program files\musicmatch\musicmatch jukebox\mm_server.exe All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
nwiz nwiz.exe /install All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
PCHealth c:\windows\pchealth\support\pchschd.exe -s All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
PCTVOICE pctvoice.exe All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
RegRun WinBait c:\program files\greatissoft\regrun2\winbait.exe All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
ScanRegistry c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
SchedulingAgent mstask.exe All
Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
SecondChance c:\pqsc\program\sctray.exe All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
SSDPSRV c:\windows\system\ssdpsrv.exe All
Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
SystemTray systray.exe All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
TkBellExe "c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe"
-osboot All Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
tkonnect c:\program files\tiscali\tkonnect\tkonnect.exe
updatemode .DEFAULT HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer sion\Run
TrueVector c:\windows\system\zonelabs\vsmon.exe -service All
Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
Windows Registry Repair Pro c:\program files\3b software\windows registry
repair pro\registryrepairpro.exe
4 .DEFAULT HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer sion\Run
Zone Labs Client "c:\program files\zone labs\zonealarm\zlclient.exe" All
Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Hope that all makes sense to someone!
Thanks again,
Mark

[Alan Edwards]

Please answer my first question.

Is the My Computer screen opened to a particular folder?
If so, what?

Have you tried disabling some of the programs you are not familiar
with and rebooting to see which one causes the problem?

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html

In microsoft.public.windowsme.general, "Marco772"
> wrote:

>Hi,
>Thanks for the replies! Firstly. no, I don't have Norton (should I not get
>Norton, when I get eventually get a new PC?).
>Secondly, I couldn't see anything weird but, like I say, I don't really know
>what's weird and what isn't.
>Here's the Start up thing that I've copied and pasted;
>
>*StateMgr c:\windows\system\restore\statemgr.exe All
>Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
>AVG7_AMSVR c:\progra~1\grisoft\avgfre~1\avgamsvr.exe All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>AVG7_CC c:\progra~1\grisoft\avgfre~1\avgcc.exe /startup All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>CountrySelection pctptt.exe All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>LexmarkPrinTray printray.exe All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>LexStart lexstart.exe All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>Mentor Tray Icon .DEFAULT Startup
>mm_server c:\program files\musicmatch\musicmatch jukebox\mm_server.exe All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>nwiz nwiz.exe /install All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>PCHealth c:\windows\pchealth\support\pchschd.exe -s All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>PCTVOICE pctvoice.exe All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>RegRun WinBait c:\program files\greatissoft\regrun2\winbait.exe All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>ScanRegistry c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>SchedulingAgent mstask.exe All
>Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
>SecondChance c:\pqsc\program\sctray.exe All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>SSDPSRV c:\windows\system\ssdpsrv.exe All
>Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
>SystemTray systray.exe All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>TkBellExe "c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe"
>-osboot All Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>tkonnect c:\program files\tiscali\tkonnect\tkonnect.exe
>updatemode .DEFAULT HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer sion\Run
>TrueVector c:\windows\system\zonelabs\vsmon.exe -service All
>Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
>Windows Registry Repair Pro c:\program files\3b software\windows registry
>repair pro\registryrepairpro.exe
>4 .DEFAULT HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer sion\Run
>Zone Labs Client "c:\program files\zone labs\zonealarm\zlclient.exe" All
>Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>
>Hope that all makes sense to someone!
>Thanks again,
>Mark

[Marco772]

Hi Alan,
Sorry, forgot about that! The My Computer window that appears is just the
initial window, the same as if I'd clicked on the My Computer shortcut on the
desktop. I've been through the running tasks in the past and disabled (with
the help of an internet troubleshooter) the programs that were no good. I
can't see any now that I don't need or that shouldn't be there.
Thanks for the help!
Mark

"Alan Edwards" wrote:

> Please answer my first question.
>
> Is the My Computer screen opened to a particular folder?
> If so, what?
>
> Have you tried disabling some of the programs you are not familiar
> with and rebooting to see which one causes the problem?
>
> ....Alan
>
> --
> Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
> http://dts-l.org/index.html
>
> In microsoft.public.windowsme.general, "Marco772"
> > wrote:
>
> >Hi,
> >Thanks for the replies! Firstly. no, I don't have Norton (should I not get
> >Norton, when I get eventually get a new PC?).
> >Secondly, I couldn't see anything weird but, like I say, I don't really know
> >what's weird and what isn't.
> >Here's the Start up thing that I've copied and pasted;
> >
> >*StateMgr c:\windows\system\restore\statemgr.exe All
> >Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
> >AVG7_AMSVR c:\progra~1\grisoft\avgfre~1\avgamsvr.exe All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >AVG7_CC c:\progra~1\grisoft\avgfre~1\avgcc.exe /startup All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >CountrySelection pctptt.exe All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >LexmarkPrinTray printray.exe All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >LexStart lexstart.exe All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >Mentor Tray Icon .DEFAULT Startup
> >mm_server c:\program files\musicmatch\musicmatch jukebox\mm_server.exe All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >nwiz nwiz.exe /install All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >PCHealth c:\windows\pchealth\support\pchschd.exe -s All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >PCTVOICE pctvoice.exe All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >RegRun WinBait c:\program files\greatissoft\regrun2\winbait.exe All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >ScanRegistry c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >SchedulingAgent mstask.exe All
> >Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
> >SecondChance c:\pqsc\program\sctray.exe All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >SSDPSRV c:\windows\system\ssdpsrv.exe All
> >Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
> >SystemTray systray.exe All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >TkBellExe "c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe"
> >-osboot All Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >tkonnect c:\program files\tiscali\tkonnect\tkonnect.exe
> >updatemode .DEFAULT HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer sion\Run
> >TrueVector c:\windows\system\zonelabs\vsmon.exe -service All
> >Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
> >Windows Registry Repair Pro c:\program files\3b software\windows registry
> >repair pro\registryrepairpro.exe
> >4 .DEFAULT HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer sion\Run
> >Zone Labs Client "c:\program files\zone labs\zonealarm\zlclient.exe" All
> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> >
> >Hope that all makes sense to someone!
> >Thanks again,
> >Mark
>
>

[Alan Edwards]

Thanks. I was afraid of that. There is nothing obvious there that
causes that so you must find what is causing it by disabling several
at a time and rebooting until you find the cause.

It is not a matter of what you may need afterwards but a matter of
finding the problem now. You can re-enable them later.

I would disable the first half, reboot and see if the problem goes. If
it doesn't, re-enable the first half and concentrate on the second
half.
You have about 24 there. It should only take you four boots or so at
the worst.

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html


In microsoft.public.windowsme.general, "Marco772"
> wrote:

>Hi Alan,
>Sorry, forgot about that! The My Computer window that appears is just the
>initial window, the same as if I'd clicked on the My Computer shortcut on the
>desktop. I've been through the running tasks in the past and disabled (with
>the help of an internet troubleshooter) the programs that were no good. I
>can't see any now that I don't need or that shouldn't be there.
>Thanks for the help!
>Mark
>
>"Alan Edwards" wrote:
>
>> Please answer my first question.
>>
>> Is the My Computer screen opened to a particular folder?
>> If so, what?
>>
>> Have you tried disabling some of the programs you are not familiar
>> with and rebooting to see which one causes the problem?
>>
>> ....Alan
>>
>> --
>> Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
>> http://dts-l.org/index.html
>>
>> In microsoft.public.windowsme.general, "Marco772"
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >Hi,
>> >Thanks for the replies! Firstly. no, I don't have Norton (should I not get
>> >Norton, when I get eventually get a new PC?).
>> >Secondly, I couldn't see anything weird but, like I say, I don't really know
>> >what's weird and what isn't.
>> >Here's the Start up thing that I've copied and pasted;
>> >
>> >*StateMgr c:\windows\system\restore\statemgr.exe All
>> >Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
>> >AVG7_AMSVR c:\progra~1\grisoft\avgfre~1\avgamsvr.exe All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >AVG7_CC c:\progra~1\grisoft\avgfre~1\avgcc.exe /startup All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >CountrySelection pctptt.exe All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >LexmarkPrinTray printray.exe All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >LexStart lexstart.exe All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >Mentor Tray Icon .DEFAULT Startup
>> >mm_server c:\program files\musicmatch\musicmatch jukebox\mm_server.exe All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >nwiz nwiz.exe /install All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >PCHealth c:\windows\pchealth\support\pchschd.exe -s All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >PCTVOICE pctvoice.exe All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >RegRun WinBait c:\program files\greatissoft\regrun2\winbait.exe All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >ScanRegistry c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >SchedulingAgent mstask.exe All
>> >Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
>> >SecondChance c:\pqsc\program\sctray.exe All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >SSDPSRV c:\windows\system\ssdpsrv.exe All
>> >Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
>> >SystemTray systray.exe All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >TkBellExe "c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe"
>> >-osboot All Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >tkonnect c:\program files\tiscali\tkonnect\tkonnect.exe
>> >updatemode .DEFAULT HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer sion\Run
>> >TrueVector c:\windows\system\zonelabs\vsmon.exe -service All
>> >Users HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services
>> >Windows Registry Repair Pro c:\program files\3b software\windows registry
>> >repair pro\registryrepairpro.exe
>> >4 .DEFAULT HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer sion\Run
>> >Zone Labs Client "c:\program files\zone labs\zonealarm\zlclient.exe" All
>> >Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>> >
>> >Hope that all makes sense to someone!
>> >Thanks again,
>> >Mark
>>
>>

[Rick T]

"=?Utf-8?B?TWFyY283NzI=?=" > wrote in
:

> Hi,
> Thanks for the replies! Firstly. no, I don't have Norton (should I not
> get Norton, when I get eventually get a new PC?).

Your choice but most ppl 'round here would say
NONONONONONONONONONONOONONONONONONONONONO


> Here's the Start up thing that I've copied and pasted;
>

<snips>
> HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run nwiz nwiz.exe
> /install All Users

Unless you're running a dual monitor setup you don't need this (and
probably don't even if you are)

> HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run RegRun WinBait
> c:\program files\greatissoft\regrun2\winbait.exe All Users

This *might* be superfluous since WinME already has the System Restore
function.

> HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run SSDPSRV
> c:\windows\system\ssdpsrv.exe All Users

Unless you have your refrigerator connected to your PC, go into
ControlPanel/AddRemovePrograms/WindowsSetup and uncheck "UPnP" (which is
not the same thing as PnP)

> HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run TkBellExe
> "c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe" -osboot

Kill that one unless you feel you need RealPlayer checking for updates
every time you boot. Kill it from RP though not by unchecking it.

> All Users HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> tkonnect c:\program files\tiscali\tkonnect\tkonnect.exe
> updatemode .DEFAULT

Just a thought but this one should be set *after* the firewall starts not
before. Uncheck it (then run it manually after you're booted completely)
to see.





Rick