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More information on startup programs

Start the SCU [Start > Run > type msconfig > click OK]. Examine each item for clues. For example, "c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun" means run Scanreg at startup. You may need to stretch the window by grabbing and dragging the edge(s) of the window with your mouse to see the whole line.

Still don't know what one of them is? Open Windows explorer (be sure the folder options are set to "show all files") and navigate to the file location, or search for the file if the whole path isn't give. In case of a "RUNDLL command", search for the file name that follows the command. Right-click the file and select Properties. Click the Version tab, if it exists, to see if the data there helps. You could also search the internet for an item that you can't identify.

Or, try Paul Collins' site: To use his list, go to the page having the first letter of the unknown program you want to look up. Suppose it is "bpcpost.exe". After you get to the "B" page, use Edit > Find in your browser's menu to find it for you. If the program name were "rundll32.exe NvQtwk.dll" you should go to the "N" page and find "NvQtwk.dll". In other words, don't look for rundll32 (or rundll) directly.
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages/startup_all.php

There's also good information on pruning Windows XP services at the Black Viper site, and a simple table of recommended settings here. Unneeded services will slow your computer down, and even though XP is fairly stable, increase the number of crashes you experience.

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