Delete all unchecked items from MSCONFIG in the Windows registry?

Hi,

I just set up my PC with XP Pro and have finally tweaked it to near perfection. As skeptical as I was about XP, I must admit that this is really a great OS. I was a die-hard 98 person but I must admit that I am really impressed!

Two quickie quirks that I can't seem to cure:

(1) I want to delete all the unchecked items in MSCONFIG from my registry. This was done very easily in 98. Problem is, with something like HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion...... for a location, no problem getting there and deleting the entry. It's the new ones in there with XP that look like SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run that I can't find. Why no HKEY in front of them and where are they found? I have a few of them in there that I want to delete.

(2) Windows Messenger popups or wherever they are coming from: I've looked around the net a lot as well as this site but haven't found a permanent fix to stop this. I've found some temporary fixes but nothing permanent. Any way of killing these while still using MSN Messenger? Very curious about this one as a lot of people have griped to me about them. Sure would like to know if there's a way to kill them.

I thank you all in advance for your responses and will surely post back with how they worked.

I just can't get over how XP isn't the "big, bad, monster" most devout 98 users think it is. I like this OS!

P.S. Would you please throw me all the "annoyance ", "tweaks ", and so forth URLs you have for this OS? Would love to add them all to my favorites and begin copy/pasting them into Word docs for the future.

Once again, any and all responses to this thread will be appreciated more than you know. This is the ONLY place I come for help.

 

Go to Black Viper's site for the list of services running on XP along with recommendations as to which to turn off, which to leave on.

Among them is the messenger service, which you can disable to stop the popups.

Going throught the entire list is a little tedious but well worth the effort.

 

D/L and install Startup control Panel.

Gives total control of startup including removing. Address all 5 startup methods.

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

Also vist here for tweaking via the services

http://members.internettrash.com/megapolon/xptweak2.html

The best site for this is down temporarily so check it in a day or so.

www.blackviper.com or www.blkviper.com

Mike

 

Hi Miz

Crossed in the mail but you won! Smile!

Mike

 

Miz & Mike,

Thanx a lot!

Startup Control Panel is just what the doctor ordered.

I had to figure it out on my own that all items must be checked in MSCONFIG in order for this program to see them. It wasn't stated on the site. WOW! I cleaned that area right up with your help!

Thanx again for your help. You came through for me, big time!

I'll wait until the "blackviper" site is up and see what can be done about the popups.

For a startup items list I use:
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages/startup_full.htm

It's quite extensive and accurate.

I'll post back again when I get after hunting down the messenger popups and let you all know how it went.

Have a GREAT day, everyone!

 

Why wait, its there at the working site I sent! Also cover at the site you posted back??

In Services disable Alerter and messenger!!!!!!

Mike

 

Mike,

I still can't log in to blackviper.

As for the Services trick, I didn't spot anything that jumped out at me on the site I posted but did check Services in the System Configuration Utility (MSCONFIG) window.

Once there, I disabled Alerter and Messenger. Thanks for the heads up on that, Mike.

So why, after reboot, did MSN Messenger pop up briefly above the tray, telling me a new version was available? This has been happening before. I have nothing (especially now) of MSN Messenger running anywhere that I know of?

Have I missed something else somewhere?????

As for the annoying popup windows one gets when the PC is even idle, time will tell.

What's up, Doc?

 

Alerter and messenger are different animals than MSN messenger.

If you don't use MSN then go to add/remove and uninstall it. It goes back easily if you want it later.

The message you are seeing sounds like automatic updates.

I advise a visit to Windows Update to do updates manually. So I and many others turn off automatic updates.

If you do turn it off then be sure to visit windows update often. Maybe a couple times a month.

To do this go to control panel-autimatic updates and turn it off.

Then go to services again and make sure it is off there also.

Now stay out of trouble for a while! Smile!

Mike

PS Black Viper is down for a few days I think!

 

Mike,

Thanks for the reply.

No, the messages weren't from Windows Update Notification at all. Two issues now.

One is the "new version of MSN Messenger available" on reboot. (I use it so don't want to dump it). Beats me why or how there is anything left of this program that causes this.

Two is the popups. Okay, let me clear it up a bit for you. The popups I refer to happen even when the browser is closed. They are these windows that, to be sarcastic, ask things like "Would you like to install Fly To The Moon?" or something like "Could you use a psychic to give you the winning lottery numbers? ". Windows like that, Mike.

I assure you that I am right up to snuff with Adaware, The Cleaner, name it!

I see it going on in the middle of a game on my daughter's XP machine as well. Lots of people talk about this annoyance. I've read a bit about it, even on this forum, but haven't found a full-time cure for it. Best I could find was something in Control Panel to stop it until the next reboot. Something like that.

Have to run out now for a while. Catch you when I get back.

(Still In Trouble)

Thanx

?????????????????????????????????????????????

 

I don't think you are up to date. Because this is typical Spy/Adware.

When you go into Adaware what is the "Signature file in use " at bottom left of the Adaware screen.

If it is 42-24.09.2002 then the sig is up to date. Program should be Ver 5.8. If not d/l and install it.

Then in config is every thing checked except the floppy and CD?

Adaware as good as it is, has not had a new signature since Sept. Appearently because they are working on a major new version due out any time.

But Spybot is updated regularly. If you don't have it get it here:

http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download

Then immediately go and get updates.
Then run and delete all "ALL" both find! Run Spybot twice. Leave everything it want remove after second run.

Do you use full Kazaa, Getright, ICQ or IRC?

Mike

 

Mike,

My AdAware ref file is right up to date. I installed and ran SpyBot twice. It took out a few things from Download Accelerator Plus (program and registry). It took out one thing from IE as well.

Now we wait and see what happens.

What can I say? "Thanx" just doesn't cut it in this case. You have been far too good to me about all this, Mike.

Great Forum!

Thanx Mike.

Thanx to everyone else as well. Sorry to make it sound as if I only wanted Mike's input. I just like starting posts with the name of the last poster is all.

I really do play well with others you know!

If you hear no more from me on this topic, all is well. If not......I'll be back, okay?

 

I also run Download accelerator. It has some ads but will not be effected by the removal of this.

Mike

 

Ok Chameleon

Give us a final update.

Whats happening?

Mike

 

Mike,
I just went to that Black Viper site--there is a lot there--do you think it's a good move to follow his advice and disable or remove ALL the things he suggests?
Paul

 

Hi Paul

You are in tweak mode for sure.

Yes I think so for me!

But you should do it carefully.

Try to read and understand what he says about each item.

A little time consuming, but do them only a couple at a time and reboot.

There are some that almost anyone can manual/disable do those first. He is pretty clear on them.

The good thing here is they can be easily reset.

Just don't do so many that you don't know which is the problem if it does cause one.

Paul get this to a point and do an image or whatever kind of backup you use, that you have full confidence in.

Even if you are not totally finished tweaking yet. If you don't something may happen to cause you to have to start from scratch.

After you have everything as near perfect as possible get a new backup.

Then it will be your staring point if disaster ever strikes. No start from scratch.

Mike