Preserved Topic: Dumb Question

Ok, I feel dumb and embarressed for asking this. I feel im fairly good with code and all that other stuff. Ive never really cared to much about other stuff with my computer so I know very little about hardware and such. My systems resources are very low. A lot of programs that arent in my start up file start up when I turn on my computer. I have 29 programs open now (not including ie) and I havent opened anything. I have maybe 5 in my start up folder. Is there anyway I can stop this from happening? Why are all these programs loading? How do i check my systems resources ... dont laugh Im serious.

Jestah
ieJestah@hotmail.com
ICQ - 77252449

Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Resource Meter To check system resources.

About the programs starting up without you wanting them too. Theres a regestry key, to load programs on startup. I don't know it off the top of my head, but I'm sure you can find it at http://www.regedit.com/

- Dan -

[This message has been edited by Dan (edited 03-09-2000).]

Is 63% free with nothing open alright? My computers crashed twice within the last few minutes because of it and its screwing up my CSS tutorial that Ive decided to finish tonight. I want it to stop!!

Jestah
ieJestah@hotmail.com
ICQ - 77252449

START>>PROGRAMS>>ACCESSORIES>>SYSTEM TOOLS>>SYSTEM INFORMATION>>

Click on the tools tab and select the System Configuration Utility

then select the Startup tab

There should be checkboxes for all the processes that load on startup you should be able to remove all of them but some are good. Try to figure out what programs you want to remove and the remove them from here.


Walking the Earth like Kane

the key (I think) is: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ software\microsoft\windows\currentversion
\run

In that 'folder' you'll find all the programs that start up when your windows starts up that aren't in your startMenu (including some trojans and viruses).
To get here you need to run 'RegEdit' (type it in the Run menu) and sift through the folders.... Care full what you touch, though.

<DISCLAIMER>It's not my fault if you render you computer brain-dead, so watch it...<DISCLAIMER>

Certain things are normal, like that '(Default)' and the 'SystemTray' (IOW, DON'T TOUCH THEM WITH A TEN FOOT POLE) but most of the other stuff are apps and memory-resident programs..... However, you should really ctrl+alt+delete when you boot and find out what programs are running. Make sure you know what each program does before you put the regs under the knife...

Good Luck...



tskull@techie.com">

Sorry about idiot-proofing the reply... you never know what lamer will fry his computer and I'll get an email saying: "Petskull violated my computer!! He touched it in the bad place"



tskull@techie.com">

If you find editting the registry difficult, you can just run msconfig.exe from the run menu, and theres a tab that will edit the same folder in your registry. You just have to click on the checkboxes of everything you want to startup.

Thanks guys, I felt dumb for asking that questions, especially since i knew where the system resources meter was. Not exactly sure why I asked for that. I didnt know how to get rid of all that other stuff. Yeah I know what to touch and what not to touch, thanks bit and petskull.

BTW anyone who is reading this and that doesn't really know what the registry is all about, Please be careful this is an easy way to screw up your system.

Always back up your registry before editing it.

Go into regedit and select registry>> Export Registry and save it somewhere


Walking the Earth like Kane

And if you ever need to restore your registry to what it was like the last time you successfully started up your computer, it's in the help menu in the regedit program. Which, by the way, you can't get to if you can't start up your computer. =)

yeah but you can fix that through DOS right?

No... dos doesn't like windows programs. You can format your hard disk through dos, but you wont be able to fix your regestry.

Actually, lemme test my theory.

One sec..

- Dan -

Ok, you appear to be able to access regedit through C:\Windows\Regedit and it doesn't have a "this program cannot run in dos" warning on it. So you just might be able to fix it. Problem is, it opens in a window, so I'm not sure what will happen when your windows is screwed up, and it tries to run it from dos.

- Dan -

ACtually you can back up and restore through DOS umm but I can't remember how right now.


Walking the Earth like Kane

Yeah, if you can restart in DOS you can restore your registry to what it was like before. Just enter the command...

scanreg /restore

In windows 95, I think it's a lot more complicated. As for *editing* the registry through DOS, I'm not sure.

I have used this program a couple of times in this kind of situation, you might want to check it out. It is free, but, you aught to know what your doing before using it.

I have used it a few times with no problems, but, not enough to feel that I could give it a rock solid endorsement.

http://members.xoom.com/gratisan/startup1.html

<smartass>
The only dumb question is a question not asked <img border=0 align=absmiddle src="http://www.ozones.com/forum/biggrin.gif">
</smartass>

Never Pet a Burning Dog
Rend

If you are unable to actually load windows as a result of messing with your registry, you can restore the registry like this...

During a boot/reboot, you'll see the text "Starting Windows 95", press the "F8" key.

Looking at your options list, click on "Command Prompt Only"

You'll be faced with this..."C:\WINDOWS>"

Now type the following...EXACTLY, then hit enter after each command.
Please Note: Those are zeros, NOT the letter "o" (oh).

attrib -h -r -s system.dat [enter]
attrib -h -r -s system.da0 [enter]
attrib -h -r -s user.dat [enter]
attrib -h -r -s user.da0 [enter]

Then type...

copy system.da0 system.dat [enter]
copy user.da0 user.dat [enter]

Restart your PC, and hope that your backup registry file wasn't damaged, too...

Note: If in doubt, check the little booklet that came with the windows OS.

Cheers,

C.C.