Wierd things in start up

I kept getting an error message when I first boot my system saying that a program cannot run. I went into msconfig to find out what the program path is, but the only thing it has is two lines with a bunch of boxes (instead of something I can actually read) for the Startup Item and Command, and underneath the "Location" (what i can read of it) it reads:

HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current

That is all I can read of the location. I am running Windows XP, and cannot figure out where this has come from or how to get rid of it. I disabled it in msconfig, but it keeps coming back. My antivirus doesn't detect any viruses, and I have a spyware locator that says nothing about it. Any idea what this is and how I can get rid of it?

 

I went to Google to see what I could find to furnish you in order to take care of this. There were "many" reasons and a lot of information about this that appeared in the search.

I suggest you go to Google and put the exact wording as you put into your post, HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current, and there will be several links for information.

 

I did Google this, but didn't come up with anything helpful. It doesn't seem to be hurting anything on my system, only time it shows up is at startup, and it tells me it cannot run the program, but the program name is all boxes. Like it is a language that isn't installed on my system. I'm just worried this is some kind of virus that is in fact hiding in my system and reproducing itself into my emails. I have disabled it, but it comes back. I can't find a way to enter the file name to attemp to delete it. And I can't seem to find any answers as to what it is. HELP!! PLEASE!!

 

Get HijackThis, when installed and running, click on Config, then Misc Tools, click on Generate StartupList Log, it will create it into Notepad. Then paste the log here.

 

Unluckily, whatever the problem was finally shut down my system. I had to do a complete re-install of Windows XP. Now I am having a terrrible time with adware, spyware, and pop ups. This seems to be a never ending problem. Things are loading at startup that I know shouldn't be there, but as before, when I stop them in msconfig, they come right back at the next startup.

 

Hello mommyamanda,

Startup managers:
http://www.mlin.net/ or http://www.softnews.ro/public/cat/12/2/12-2-79.shtml

Startup info:
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.htm

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm For startup programs

http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm For XP services

Links to free/paid popup blockers
http://www.popup-killer-review.com/test.htm

The lastest google toolbar seems to have a good popup blocking feature.

Regards - Charles

 

SpyBot Search & Destroy will fix that for you, free.

 

Thank you all vwery much. I do have Spybot, have had it for a while, and it seems to do a pretty good job. It just seems that as i rid myself of one problem, something worse happens. I'm almost ready to give up and sell the computer. Seems like that would be a good idea after all that is going on.

 

Spybot has a fairly new version available and even newer updates.

Ad-aware also has a new (much faster) version.

I'd try installing the latest of each with updates, running Ad-aware and removing all the trash it finds, running Spybot and removing at least the red-box items and then using the "Immunize" feature.