System Configuration Utility – Startup

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I ran “msconfig” just to see what was going on when I started up my machine. I am amazed, or maybe I don’t know how to interpret what I see. I run the utility, then select Startup. I get a list of 30 checked programs or items, I am not sure what is the correct term. Some of them I recognize, but I don’t use them. For example, there are three items for MS Works and one for Money Agent.

What exactly am I seeing? What can I do about these items?

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Provide a complete list and we may be able to help.

Also list what software that you have installed, even if you do not use it. Some OEM’s add all kinds of software that people never use or not even know that they have it.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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I am running Office 97, Bookshelf 1994, Quicken 99, Business Cards 32, and Lotus Organizer. I have a Canon scanner, FB320P with it

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Your list is huge! Ouch! I have a real sticky problem with twenty billion things loading at startup. You will definitely free more memory by losing some of these things, and quite possibly wind up with a more stable PC as a result. I’m of the school of minimal drain…..why run something I don’t need?

The nice about this util is that you can uncheck things, see what happens, and if you find it causes problems, turn it back on again. Here’s what I would kill if I were looking at your list (and why). I deleted the things I would leave alone.

Taskbar Display Controls
Sounds like a quick access utility to change screen settings. Bah. I go the long way if I need to do that. Disable it.
MoneyAgent
I would absolutely kill this one, I don’t use the reminder and I don’t need something to help it start up (like the Winamp agent).
MSMSGS
Do you use Microsoft Messenger? If not kill it.
PCHealth
Resource hog. Not needed.
WorksFUD
Sounds like something to kill, see what happens. Part of MS Works.
Microsoft Works Portifolio
See above.
Microsoft Works Update Detection
Does works throw enough crap in here? Sheesh. This is obviously a phone-home application that checks for updates. Do it manually and lose this too!
CreatCD50
This is the tray icon for CD Creator. I’d run it from the start menu and dump this.
AdaptecDirectCD
Same thing as above. I’d run it from the start menu and dump this.
MULTIMEDIA KEYBOARD
Speed racer
I don’t know what this is but try killing it and see.
AudioHQ
Depends on whether you use this or not. It’s quick access to your SoundBlaster controls. I prefer the Windows tray icon, it’s fine for tweaking the volume….
CreativeMixer
Same thing as above. Notice how many programs have two and three little items going on?
SchedulingAgent
The Windows task manager. I run things manually. You might not. Try disabling it if you don’t have anything that you explicitly set up on a schedule.
Office Startup
Gone with the wind! Someone tell me again why you need this?
Cal Remainder Shortcut
I’d kill it and see….doesn’t seem necessary
Quicken Startup
Bah again. Isn’t this what icons in the start menu are for?

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Thanks to all for the comments. I have eliminated 13 of the 30, so far with no problems. Don’t know if it did any good, but I feel better.

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I just posted this link to the Win 98 forum, but it also applies here. A good resource to identify and eliminate unnecessary resources:
http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/index.htm

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