Windows 98se causing problems...again.

Hi there, new to the board.

On October 5, 2003 I downloaded PC Doctor On Call to correct short cut problems, system hanging etc etc, it worked fine till last night, boy was there many errors at the time. Since then I've run Dr. Watson, downloaded Sandra and tried performance test.

Now I discover that I can't access Explorer and Open from the Start Menu, besides which systray and scanreg are missing from System Configuration Utility(Startup). I've never removed them, but at several occasions gone in and carefully deleted items from startup.

To make a long story short, during the night I used scanreg/restore and went back to Oct. 5, 2003 (choice of Oct. 2,3, 4 and 5th) , systray and scanreg were then present but a new problem developed...no internet connection. Tried tcp/ip settings to no avail. Contacted my isp, together we reset tcp/ip and network card drivers, nothing worked, tech advised problem lies with operating system and suggested formatting and reloading Win98.

I again went back to scanreg/restore, set it back to October 13(choice of Oct 3, 4, 5, and 13), internet works okay but systray and scanreg are missing again, Explore and open still not accessible from Startup menu. System still hangs periodically, my concern is to get the startup info back in place. I'll format, partition and reload Windows to get the bugs out as a last resort.


Windows 98se
Pentium II 300MHz
288MB RAM
D-Link router
Bell Sympatico HS DSL
Hard drive Quantum 6.4GB


System Info


Microsoft Windows 98 4.10.2222 A
Upgrade using Full OEM CD /T:C:\WININST0.400 /SrcDir=D:\WIN98 /IZ /IS /IQ /IT /II /NR /II /C /U:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
IE 5 6.0.2800.1106
Uptime: 0:03:16:04
Normal mode


GenuineIntel Pentium(r) II Processor
288MB RAM
58% system resources free
Windows-managed swap file on drive C (452MB free)
Available space on drive C: 452MB of 4117MB (FAT32)
Available space on drive D: 1385MB of 2019MB (FAT32)




Startup Programs

MemTurbo Startup Group "C:\Program Files\Silicon Prairie Software\MemTurbo\memturbo.exe" /starthidden
NetTurbo Startup Group "C:\Program Files\SharewareOnline.com\NetTurbo\NetTurbo.exe" /startup
MessengerPlus2 Registry (Per-User Run) "C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 2\MsgPlus.exe" /WinStart
EnsoniqMixer Registry (Machine Run) starter.exe
internat.exe Registry (Machine Run) internat.exe
Tweak UI Registry (Machine Run) RUNDLL32.EXE TWEAKUI.CPL,TweakMeUp
Lexmark X84-X85 Button Monitor Registry (Machine Run) C:\PROGRA~1\LEXMAR~1\ACMonitor_X84-X85.exe
Lexmark X84-X85 Button Manager Registry (Machine Run) C:\PROGRA~1\LEXMAR~1\AcBtnMgr_X84-X85.exe
McAfeeVirusScanService Registry (Machine Service) C:\Program Files\McAfee\McAfee VirusScan\Avsynmgr.exe
MessengerPlus2 Registry (Machine Service) "C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 2\MsgPlus.exe "
SchedulingAgent Registry (Machine Service) mstask.exe



Running Tasks

Kernel32.dll 4.10.2222 Microsoft Corporation Win32 Kernel core component C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\Kernel32.dll 4.3 Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Operating System
MSGSRV32.EXE 4.10.2222 Microsoft Corporation Windows 32-bit VxD Message Server C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE 4.0 Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Operating System
Spool32.exe 4.10.1998 Microsoft Corporation Spooler Sub System Process C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\Spool32.exe 4.0 Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Operating System
Mprexe.exe 4.10.1998 Microsoft Corporation WIN32 Network Interface Service Process C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\Mprexe.exe 4.0 Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Operating System
Avsynmgr.exe 6.02.1019.1 Networks Associates Technologies, Inc. VirusScan Synchronization Service C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE\MCAFEE VIRUSSCAN\Avsynmgr.exe 4.0 McAfee VirusScan
Msgplus.exe 2, 2, 0, 23 Patchou Launcher and Uninstaller C:\PROGRAM FILES\MESSENGER PLUS! 2\Msgplus.exe 4.0 Messenger Plus! 2
Mstask.exe 4.71.1972.1 Microsoft Corporation Task Scheduler Engine C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\Mstask.exe 4.0 Microsoft® Windows® Task Scheduler
MMTASK.TSK 4.03.1998 Microsoft Corporation Multimedia background task support module C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MMTASK.TSK 4.0 Microsoft Windows
Explorer.exe 4.72.3110.1 Microsoft Corporation Windows Explorer C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.exe 4.0 Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R) Operating System
Starter.exe 3.00.02 Creative Technology, Ltd. This program launches the mixer application. C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\Starter.exe 4.0 starter
Internat.exe 4.10.2222 Microsoft Corporation Keyboard Language Indicator Applet C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\Internat.exe 4.0 Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Operating System
Acmonitor_x84-x85.exe 1, 0, 0, 1 Jetsoft Development Company ACMonitor C:\PROGRAM FILES\LEXMARKX84-X85\Acmonitor_x84-x85.exe 4.0 Jetsoft Development Company ACMonitor
Acbtnmgr_x84-x85.exe 1, 0, 0, 1 Jetsoft Development Company AcBtnMgr C:\PROGRAM FILES\LEXMARKX84-X85\Acbtnmgr_x84-x85.exe 4.0 Jetsoft Development Company AcBtnMgr
Memturbo.exe 2 SharewareOnline.com, Inc. MemTurbo C:\PROGRAM FILES\SILICON PRAIRIE SOFTWARE\MEMTURBO\Memturbo.exe 4.0 MemTurbo Application
Vsstat.exe 6.02.3000.1 Networks Associates Technologies, Inc. VirusScan System Tray C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE\MCAFEE VIRUSSCAN\Vsstat.exe 4.0 McAfee VirusScan
Avconsol.exe 6.02.1019.1 Network Associates, Inc. VirusScan Consol C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE\MCAFEE VIRUSSCAN\Avconsol.exe 4.0 McAfee VirusScan
Vshwin32.exe 6.02.3000.1 Networks Associates Technologies, Inc. VirusScan System Scan C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE\MCAFEE VIRUSSCAN\Vshwin32.exe 4.0 McAfee VirusScan
Webscanx.exe 6.02.1019.1 Networks Associates Technologies, Inc. WebScanX C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE\MCAFEE VIRUSSCAN\Webscanx.exe 4.0 McAfee VirusScan
Alogserv.exe 6.02.1019.1 Networks Associates Technologies, Inc. Activity Log Server C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE\MCAFEE VIRUSSCAN\Alogserv.exe 4.0 McAfee VirusScan
Ddhelp.exe 4.09.00.0900 Microsoft Corporation Microsoft DirectX Helper C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\Ddhelp.exe 4.0 Microsoft® DirectX for Windows®
Systray.exe 4.10.2222 Microsoft Corporation System Tray Applet C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\Systray.exe 4.0 Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Operating System
Wmiexe.exe 5.00.1755.1 Microsoft Corporation WMI service exe housing C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\Wmiexe.exe 4.0 Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R) Operating System
Taskmon.exe 4.10.1998 Microsoft Corporation Task Monitor C:\WINDOWS\Taskmon.exe 4.0 Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Operating System
Netscape.exe 4.75.0.6 Netscape Communications Corporation Netscape Navigator application file C:\PROGRAM FILES\NETSCAPE\COMMUNICATOR\PROGRAM\Netscape.exe 4.0 NETSCAPE
Msinfo32.exe 4.10.2222 Microsoft Corporation MSInfo32 C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\MICROSOFT SHARED\MSINFO\Msinfo32.exe 4.0 Microsoft System Information
Notepad.exe 4.10.1998 Microsoft Corporation Windows Notepad application file C:\WINDOWS\Notepad.exe 4.0 Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Operating System



Going to keep this computer for the kids, recently installed new 350w power supply(fan was dying and sluggish boot up) and will install 40GB second drive in the near furure.


Thanks for any assistance.


del12003

 

HijackThis results...

StartupList report, 10/13/03, 3:00:33 PM
StartupList version: 1.52
Started from : C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\HIJACKTHIS.EXE
Detected: Windows 98 SE (Win9x 4.10.2222A)
Detected: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)
* Using default options
==================================================

Running processes:

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SPOOL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE\MCAFEE VIRUSSCAN\AVSYNMGR.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MESSENGER PLUS! 2\MSGPLUS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\STARTER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\INTERNAT.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\LEXMARKX84-X85\ACMONITOR_X84-X85.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\LEXMARKX84-X85\ACBTNMGR_X84-X85.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\SILICON PRAIRIE SOFTWARE\MEMTURBO\MEMTURBO.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE\MCAFEE VIRUSSCAN\VSSTAT.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE\MCAFEE VIRUSSCAN\AVCONSOL.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE\MCAFEE VIRUSSCAN\VSHWIN32.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE\MCAFEE VIRUSSCAN\WEBSCANX.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE\MCAFEE VIRUSSCAN\ALOGSERV.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WMIEXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 4.0\READER\ACRORD32.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\WINZIP\WINZIP32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

--------------------------------------------------

Listing of startup folders:

Shell folders Startup:
[C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp]
MemTurbo.lnk = C:\Program Files\Silicon Prairie Software\MemTurbo\memturbo.exe
NetTurbo.lnk = C:\Program Files\SharewareOnline.com\NetTurbo\NetTurbo.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

EnsoniqMixer = starter.exe
internat.exe = internat.exe
Tweak UI = RUNDLL32.EXE TWEAKUI.CPL,TweakMeUp
Lexmark X84-X85 Button Monitor = C:\PROGRA~1\LEXMAR~1\ACMonitor_X84-X85.exe
Lexmark X84-X85 Button Manager = C:\PROGRA~1\LEXMAR~1\AcBtnMgr_X84-X85.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

McAfeeVirusScanService = C:\Program Files\McAfee\McAfee VirusScan\Avsynmgr.exe
MessengerPlus2 = "C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 2\MsgPlus.exe "
SchedulingAgent = mstask.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

MessengerPlus2 = "C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 2\MsgPlus.exe" /WinStart

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating ICQ Agent Autostart apps:
HKCU\Software\Mirabilis\ICQ\Agent\Apps

" "\" "

--------------------------------------------------

Shell & screensaver key from C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.INI:

Shell=Explorer.exe
SCRNSAVE.EXE=
drivers=mmsystem.dll power.drv

--------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\WININIT.BAK listing:
(Created 13/10/2003, 5:26:30)

[rename]
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_INS5576._MP
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\ZDATAI51.DLL
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_WUTL951.DLL
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_ISTMP0.DIR\CORECOMP.INI
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_ISTMP0.DIR\CTL3D32.DLL
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_ISTMP0.DIR\49312.DLL
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_ISTMP0.DIR\ISUNINST.EXE
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_ISTMP0.DIR\LICENSE.TXT
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_ISTMP0.DIR\CLOSEAPP.DLL
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_ISTMP0.DIR\ENETPW.DLL
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_ISTMP0.DIR\TAPBIND.VXD
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_ISTMP0.DIR\TAPBIND1.SYS
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_ISTMP0.DIR\ADAPTE~1.EXE
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_ISTMP0.DIR\VALUE.SHL
NUL=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\_ISTMP6.DIR\_ISTMP0.DIR\4921E.DLL

--------------------------------------------------

C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT listing:

PATH C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\BITWARE\
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\NETWOR~1\VIRUSS~1\40~1.XX\scan.exe C:\
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 PAUSE
SET PATH=%PATH%;;C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\ROXIOS~1\DLLSHA~1

--------------------------------------------------


Enumerating Browser Helper Objects:

(no name) - C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 5.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.OCX - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3}
(no name) - (no file) - {CCAD5241-7D9C-11D7-ADA6-0050BAE818AD}
(no name) - c:\windows\downloaded program files\googletoolbar_en_2.0.95-deleon.dll - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7}
(no name) - C:\PROGRAM FILES\LYCOS\SIDESEARCH\SIDESEARCH.DLL - {00000762-3965-4A1A-98CE-3D4BF457D4C8}

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Task Scheduler jobs:

Windows Critical Update Notification.job

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Download Program Files:

[Shockwave ActiveX Control]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MACROMED\DIRECTOR\SWDIR.DLL
CODEBASE = http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/director/sw.cab

[Shockwave Flash Object]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MACROMED\FLASH\FLASH.OCX
CODEBASE = http://active.macromedia.com/flash2/cabs/swflash.cab

[PCPitstop Utility]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLO~1\PCPITS~1.DLL
CODEBASE = http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/PCPitStop.CAB

[Yahoo! Audio Conferencing]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES\YACSCOM.DLL
CODEBASE = http://us.chat1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/chat/applet/v43/yacscom.cab

[Yahoo! Vision]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES\YV.DLL
CODEBASE = http://download.yahoo.com/dl/fv/yv.cab

[AcceptLang Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES\SETACCEPTLANG.DLL
CODEBASE = http://runonce.msn.com/setacceptlang.cab

[DiskHealth Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES\CONFLICT.1\DISKHEALTH.DLL
CODEBASE = http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/diskhealth.cab

[CV3 Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WUV3IS.DLL
CODEBASE = http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/R1024/V31Controls/x86/w98/en/actsetup.cab

[iCC Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES\PCPCONNCHECK.DLL
CODEBASE = http://www.pcpitstop.com/internet/pcpConnCheck.cab

[Update Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IUCTL.DLL
CODEBASE = http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/ansi/iuctl.CAB?37877.7453009259

[ActiveCGM Control]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ACGM.DLL
CODEBASE = http://gaz-webmap-internet-f.gazmet.com/acgm.cab

[TDServer Control]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLO~1\TDSERVER.OCX
CODEBASE = http://encyclo.voila.fr/JS/tdserver.cab

[DiskHealth2 Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES\DISKFAU.DLL
CODEBASE = http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/PCPitStop.CAB

[MSN Chat Control 4.5]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES\MSNCHAT45.OCX
CODEBASE = http://fdl.msn.com/public/chat/msnchat45.cab

[SurferNETWORK Plugin]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLO~1\SURFER~1.OCX
CODEBASE = http://rd1.surfernetwork.com/surferplugin.ocx

[HouseCall Control]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLO~1\XSCAN53.OCX
CODEBASE = http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/1dac212cf5b39c/housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/xscan53.cab

[ActiveScan Installer Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES\ASINST.DLL
CODEBASE = http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5/asinst.cab

[Microsoft Search Settings Control]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES\SEARCHSETTINGS.OCX
CODEBASE = http://lg.home.microsoft.com/search/lobby/searchsettings.cab

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad items:

WebCheck: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WEBCHECK.DLL

--------------------------------------------------
End of report, 8,596 bytes
Report generated in 0.504 seconds

Command line options:
/verbose - to add additional info on each section
/complete - to include empty sections and unsuspicious data
/full - to include several rarely-important sections
/force9x - to include Win9x-only startups even if running on WinNT
/forcent - to include WinNT-only startups even if running on Win9x
/forceall - to include all Win9x and WinNT startups, regardless of platform
/history - to list version history only




Thanks for any assistance.


del12003

 

unfortunely you've installed too many tweak programs to be sure of your system status.

would recommend windows reinstall and then use only one tweak program at the most in future. especially one with a tech forum for that particular program.

i've had problems with them before with winxp and thought better of it in future.

sorry i can't be of more help!

 

I agree. I do not believe it is 98SE that is messing up. Way too many unnecessary stuff loading at startup.

The only things really needed are Systray. Explorer.exe and the Antivirus items.

If Memtrubo is not set correctly it will be more trouble than good,

Clean up the Startup. The system will more than likely straighten up.

BillyBob

 

Copy and Paste the following in bold into Notepad. Turn off Word Wrap, the line with the [ ]'s should be all on one line, the forum here wraps that line. Save As "Run.Reg" with the quotes, so it does not end up Saved As Run.Reg.Txt. Then double click the file, you should get a message asking if you want to merge this file into the registry, yes you do.

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"SystemTray "= "SysTray.Exe "
"ScanRegistry "= "C:\\WINDOWS\\scanregw.exe /autorun "

 

OOPS ! I forgot. Scanregistry should be a permanent member of the startup group.

Also a question.

Does McAfee really put that much stuff into the startup ?

BB

 

Thank you very much for the assistance.

Registry editted as suggested (executable files created), however startup in msconfig still doesn't display systray and scanreg.

Keep you posted on the outcome.



del12003

 

I don't know what you did, but that reg file would definitely put those entries right where they would show up in Msconfig.
Perhaps when you changed it so the line in [brackets] was all on one line, you separated CurrentVersion to Current Version. It needs to be one word.

 

BillyBob,
McAfee only adds one item to the startup group, but can add two lines to the autoexec.bat file, which is supposed to scan boot files at startup. If they detect a problem, the system will hang during boot, and you have to bot using safe mode. McAfee will scan these files during a normal scan anyway, so I usually disable this feature during installation, when possible.

 

Three issues caught my eye.

1) The Browser Helper Object CCAD5241-7D9C-11D7-ADA6-0050BAE818AD
looks suspicious. It may be innocuous - I have one with no name and no file which is legitimate. I cannot find it in TonyKlein's BHO Collection. Perhaps you or someone here can shed some light on it. It may be worthwhile, if no info is available on it, to disable it for the time being at least.

2) I don't like the look of Internat.exe in your running processes. There is a worm which infects the MS Internat.exe and, wait for it, Systray.exe.

Details at www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.ghotex.a.html. I'm no expert in this field so maybe someone else can help on this; if it is a problem.

3) You may regard the following as contentious but I'd dump MemTurbo. By far the best memory manager is Win98SE itself. Win95 was fundamentally flawed in this department and we had to resort to third party solutions. Unfortunately, these solutions carried over to Win98 which is a very, very different animal in this respect. On its removal you may be alarmed at the apparent lack of available memory. In 98 we treat vcache + unused physical as available memory. In 95 vcache was hung onto for dear life. My system has 32Mb of 'Free memory' at the moment but I've got access to 178Mb in reality. If I suddenly wanted 50Mb then vcache would be clobbered. Win95, on the other hand, would problably keel over. Dump MemTurbo.

If I spot anything else I'll call back. In the meantime I must bow out on the first two items because I'm out of my depth on them.

 

Woops, that link throw a wobbly.

Try this Worm

 

This is also contentious and something I tend to keep quiet about so I may get some flack. I don't have Systray running at all and haven't for nearly a year. A lot of sites say we must have at least Explorer & Systray running. We don't. If Systray is not running and an app needs it then it will be loaded. In my case I haven't got any apps which need it as I got rid of Advanced Power Management and cured my Shutdown problem and don't use the task Scheduler as I 'clean up' as required. As a corollary Wmiexe.exe no longer gets loaded as it tends to follow Systray wherever it goes.

There's a tad bit of info at MSKB 128129

I'm now going to take cover before the flak starts!

 

Gammaepsilon,
Don't worry this is not flak! Systray is the system tray, which displays the clock, and anything else that decides to place an icon in that vicinity. Disbaling it does no real harm, but then again, it doesn't do a whole lot of good, either I personally like to have it running for quick access to yahoo messenger and anti-virus options. However, if you are an IFAI type (Install + Forget About It) type of person, then you could disable it from running at startup. However, explorer.exe is a must, as it loads and runs the desktop. If you don't load it (I don't know how successful disbaling it would be, anyway) then you won't get a desktop, of taskbar when windows boots. Not good at all

 

From my own test of Memturbo I agree. Dump it. SE does do nicely all by itself.

Systray can be system/user related as to whether it is really needed or not. I also like to keep to keep it loaded as it does do more good than harm.

del12003

Did you restart Windows after adding the line(s) that markp62 suggested ?

Sometimes things do not get picked up properly or will not hold until Windows is restarted.

BillyBob

 

Ryder

Sure, the system tray displays the clock and such but it, and most other items, do not require Systray.exe to be running. I work my machine to death and have 10 items in the system tray carefully chosen for their lack of interest in system resources, small footprint [ for the most part] and don't knock seven bells out of the CPU [ well most of them don't]. All this is going on without Systray.exe running.

It is a myth that without Systray.exe running we don't get a system tray. As MS says "Systray.exe is a tool for system taskbar notifications ". I don't have any systems running which would want to talk to me via the system tray so I gave Systray.exe its marching orders!

Windows will run perfectly well without Explorer. I use a home grown vbscript to Logoff and toggle between Explorer and Progman [via 'shell=' in System.ini] to run Scandisk and Defrag as the Logoff prompt is prior the the Run keys in the boot sequence. When done I Logoff again and toggle back to Explorer. More often than not I find some system resources have been reclaimed in the process.

I use my machine in some very unconventional ways but, touchwood, I get away with it most of the time.

 

gammaepsilon,
That is very interesting, and I must admit you do seem to use your PC in unusual ways, but if it works, then all the power to you! Anyway, as I understand what you've said, systray.exe is for pop-up messages from programs running in the system tray area, is this correct?
Note that I am not disagreeing with you in any way, since I have never tried disabling systray.exe, just trying to make sure I understand exactly what you're saying.
As for explorer, you seem to be condradicting yourself, as you say to don't use it, but then you say you switch back and forth between it and progman. I'm afraid you can't have it both ways, despite any and all wishes to the contrary.

To all others reading this thread within a thread - I offer my humble apologies for straying from the original topic of this thread

 

I see no reason to apologize. I see no straying from anything since we are discussing what needs to be or does not need to be running at startup and why.

For the average, everyday non-technically oreintated user it is best to leave Systray and Explorer loaded.

BillyBob

 

Ryder

"Anyway, as I understand what you've said, systray.exe is for pop-up messages from programs running in the system tray area, is this correct? "

No. Systray.exe has nothing to do with the popup messages generated by the Terminate and Stay Resident [TSR] apps with icons in the system tray.

If you disect the MS quote I cited it refers to system. I don't have any system components which would want to notify me of anything so I don't need Systray.exe. If I loaded such an app then Systray.exe would be loaded automatically so as to provide the notification feature. Have a look at the MSKB article I mentioned above.

Explorer and Progman:

When we Logoff we restart the system as follows.

Keys are loaded in the following order:

LM RunServicesOnce

LM RunServices

<Logon Prompt> ---------- Entry point after LogOff

{user.dat, system.dat and system.ini are read again}

LM RunOnce

System.ini: shell= ---------- Progman method

LM RunOnceEx ---------- RunOnceEx method

CU RunOnceEx

LM Run

CU Run

StartUp Folder

CU RunOnce

When logging off with shell=progman.exe, Explorer does not get a look in. Look at all the keys we avoid loading afterward so as to do a scandisk and defrag. We only have to worry about the Services keys; LM RunOnce is empty at this conjuncture. We then Logoff again, we give Progman the elbow and allow Explorer to come out and Play.

Anyway, I also apologise - I'm surprised that BillyBob hasn't had a go at me as I'm rather critical of off topic wanderings.

Come on folks, what's that BHO all about and is that Internat.exe a worm or the real McCoy? I'm clueless in this area.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Markp62, as for the change to registry, I removed the wrap [brackets] and copy pasted as follows into Notepad, using backspace to create the first line:



REGEDIT4

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
"SystemTray "= "SysTray.Exe "
"ScanRegistry "= "C:\\WINDOWS\\scanregw.exe /autorun "


I then saved as "Run.Reg" with the quotes, double clicked on the file and yes did get the message asking if I wanted to merge this file into the registry.

Systray and scanreg do not appear in system configuration utility startup, for that matter neither does explore appear.

Explore and Open do not appear upon right clicking start menu.

Funny how these just occur without deleting same, good old win98se? !


Billybob, yes I have restarted the computer a few times since making the registry change, one thing I forgot to do was back up the registry prior to the change...just in case I slipped up.


Is there a way to display what is in my startup utility, so as to show same. And is there a way to actually display what change was made to registry, clicking back on Run( "Run.Reg ") file just asked me if I want to add the information in c:\mydocum~1.run.reg to the registry. No.
I carefully tried verifying the regedit, right to the path you supplied but did not see anything listed...you don't mess with the regedit, like playing with fire.
Registry has now been backed up as a precaution.


Once again thanks for the assistance.


del12003

 

Clarification:

I carefully tried verifying the regedit, right to the path you(markp62 ) supplied but did not see anything listed...you don't mess with the regedit, like playing with fire.
Registry has now been backed up as a precaution.


del12003