Having Boot Troubles

[panther_base]

In an attempt to speed up my PC a little I went into msconfig and removed some of the items I don't need at start up. I ONLY removed ones I knew what they were and didn't need at start up, now when I reboot or shut down and restart I get the mode select screen for windows (where you can choose to start in safe mode) so what did I do wrong and how do I fix it?

[Dan Penny]

Start, Run, msconfig. Click on Advanced near the bottom right of the General tab. If there is a checkmark in the box for Enable Startup Menu, remove it.

[panther_base]

I'm running winXP when I did start, run, msconfig I didn't find an advanced button under general

[Paul Komski]

Under the "Startup" and "Services" Tabs choose [Select All] and ensure the radio button on the "General" Tab selects Normal Startup.

[Whyzman]

I ONLY removed ones I knew what they were and didn't need at start upHmmm...seems like something might have slipped by your watchful eye if your problems ensued after removal of the start up items...

[Sylvander]

If ever you make one [or more] configuration change[s] that cause[s] problems and you don't know how [or are unable] to undo the change[s], then just restore the configuration to the way it was before the change.
In WinXP I believe that's done by choosing "Last Known good configuration" in the startup menu.

In case that should fail, you aught to have a system of [3rd party] backup & restore [from outside Windows] so you can restore the whole C: partition [and others].
When all else fails [or even just because it's simpler], you can fix ANY/ALL software problems by restoring a good backup.

It helps if you keep the C: drive "lean & mean".
I move as much as possible off the C: drive [and keep it as small as possible].
The "Windows" & "Program Files" folders account for 95% of the used space on my C: drive. Using 1.65GB of a 3,000 MB C: partition for Win98SE + 60 Programs.
All the data that changes day by day [or are considered vital] are re-homed on another physical drive [although another partition would do].
When I "jump back" I still have up to date:
a. My Documents. [Use “TweakUI” to move their home]
b. E-mails for all identities. [use the email client to move their home]
c. Internet Explorer Favourites. [Use “TweakUI” to move their home]
d. Temporary Internet Files. [use the browser (Internet Explorer) to move them]
e. Re-home the Windows Address Book as shown here http://tinyurl.com/24q6l . Use the key “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4\Wab FileName” to specify its new address. [Its normal home address [in Win98] is C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book\(the name you gave your PC).WAB]
f. Any other storage of data files you wouldn’t want to “jump back”.

These can be backed up separately and more or less often.

[panther_base]

ok everything is back to the way it was before I messed with the startup files, now I only have 4 programs that start when I restart or boot my PC 2 of those programs I really don't need at start up but can't figure out how to keep them from starting when my PC starts, tried checking the program preferrences but neither one has that option,

[Sylvander]

Startup = www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml
Install this free program, it puts an applet in the Control Panel named "Startup".
This is really easy to use to tick/untick which programs should run or not.
It modifies the "Run" settings [no matter whether they're in the registry or elsewhere] so you don't need to do that.

[panther_base]

new problem/concern this one isn't related to this problem (I hope)

for some reason my firewall/anti-virus is not showing up in my sys tray I tried opening the program from the shortcut to see if it would show up there but it didn't work.

it kind of has me worried cause without actually seeing the icon in the systray I'm not sure if it's running or not, any ideas or re-assurances?

[Sylvander]

I'm feeling like a mushroom does [kept in the dark & fed (something like) manure]. :D

What is the name of this "firewall/anti-virus" program?
If it's 3rd party you should uninstall then re-install it.

[Dan Penny]

Task Manager (or whatever it's called in XP) should tell you if the programs are running.

Double check the Startup options in msconfig and in the program settings/options to ensure it's being told to run on startup.

Or as stated above, uninstall then reinstall the programs.

[panther_base]

I'm running Norton Internet Security/ Anti-virus I just got through restarting my PC and the Icon for Norton is now back where it belongs. I also right clicked the Start Bar or Task Bar selected properties and unchecked the box next to hide inactive icons to see if maybe it was a glitch or something that happened when the icons were hidden.

If I have to uninstall/re-install then I'll have to wait as I'm between houses right now and the original installation cd along with the cd key is buried somewhere.