Setting order of startup programs

[BonedAgain]

I have ME. I have 3 items in my startup directory, a windows explorer pane, a group of frequently used program icons (ala the old "program manager") and a clock utility which appears in the top bar next to the max/min/close buttons (this BTW is invaluable. Did you know it's the 127th day of 2002??? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif Anyway, I'd like the program icon group to open last at startup, so it's on top & I can select a program. For some reason, the order appears to be program group, explorer, clock, so I always have to toggle to get to the programs at startup. A minor annoyance to be sure, but if it can be reset, why not? And yes of course I know I can get to my programs using START, but for some reason I just HATE that... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Thanks,

BA

[Steve]

Hi BonedAgain,

If I understand you correctly, THIS (http://www.greatis.com/regrun3startuporder.htm) might be just what you're looking for.

It even has a 30 day free trail. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

Hope it helps. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Peace and Love, brothers and sisters. Peace and Love

[RKBA]

Actually, for those programs in which I care about the startup order, I just make up a little MSDOS batch file and put it into my "Startup" folder. Then I copy the command lines for any programs from the "Run" sections of my registry into it that I wish (deleting them from the registry Run section of course), prefix them with the word "start" and put them into my batch file. I also copy the command lines and arguments for any other shortcuts that reside in my "Startup" directory into my own start-up batch file, create a directory in the "Startup" directory called "Not" (though of course you could call it anything you want), make it a hidden directory to it's ignored during startup, and then move all the shortcuts I've put into my own start-up batch file into the hidden directory just for possible future use. Finally, I set the properties for my own start-up batch file to run minimized and put an "Exit" command at the end so it automatically closes when it's finished. I also use a little freeware program I downloaded from somewhere called "Sleep (http://Ron.Dotson.org/temp/sleep.exe) that waits however many seconds are specified in the command line, so that I can control the time interval between when my start-up programs are run.

This method doesn't have all the fancy features of "RegRun", but it does let you control the order in which programs are started and the time interval between their execution, as well as letting you set their priority during startup, and best of all it's FREE! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif For example, here is my start-up batch file. Notice that the Logitech mouse driver is started with "HIGH" priority and the "Vcool" program which I no longer use and is commented out is set to start with "LOW" priority. Another nice thing is that I can comment out those programs I use infrequently so they're not loaded every time I start up Windows unless I "uncomment" them back in. For example, I rarely use my scanner and I don't want the scanner tray icon taking up space most of the time, so I only uncomment the two lines for my scanner drivers whenever I'm going to be using it.

Yes, it is primitive - but it's also pretty effective,

-- Ron


Here's my "StartupExtras.bat" file:

start C:\Progs\Prime95\Prime95.exe
start E:\Bin\IconLock\ICONLOCK.EXE
start E:\Bin\NETDATE\NETDATE.EXE
C:\U\Sleep 3
start /B /HIGH /DE:\PROGRA~1\Logitech\MOUSEW~1\SYSTEM\ E:\PROGRA~1\Logitech\MOUSEW~1\SYSTEM\EM_EXEC.EXE
REM The Next two lines are for Visioneer PaperPort Scanner
REM start E:\PROGRA~1\Scanner\fbdirect.exe
REM start E:\progra~1\scanner\pptd40nt.exe
REM start "Vcool" /LOW /DE:\Bin\VCool E:\Bin\VCool\VCool.exe
REM start E:\Win2K\Wcgopsvc.exe ;WebCam Go Plus Sti Service Application
REM "E:\Program Files\Efficient Networks\EnterNet 300\app\EnterNet.exe" -AutoStart
Exit

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Centerfire (http://home.pacbell.net/rsdotson/) "The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." -- Thomas Jefferson

[This message has been edited by RKBA (edited 05-10-2002).]

[mjc]

Ron,

Don't apologize, often times simpler, less complicated is much better[/] than a lot of useless features...now if certain large software makers would get the idea.....

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

[b]Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.