Hi, All!

I'm talking about using msconfig to get rid of some things that are running in the background of my computer.

What sort of things are essential to keep running, please?

I can find the other programs if I really need to use them.

Thanks!

Sure

If you can, post an image of your msconfig and can see what you have there and offer suggestions as to if really needed or would be optional or really just don't need. If problem posting an image, you can list what you have there in msconfig.

Also, there are services that could be set to manual instead of automatically started with computer which will also help reduce system resources as a whole.

For services, would need to know what OS using.

Theoretically you can uncheck all items in MSCONFIG since all the operating basic processes will load and do not show up there. Keep the antivirus entry as a bare minimum.

Sure

If you can, post an image of your msconfig and can see what you have there and offer suggestions as to if really needed or would be optional or really just don't need. If problem posting an image, you can list what you have there in msconfig.

Also, there are services that could be set to manual instead of automatically started with computer which will also help reduce system resources as a whole.

For services, would need to know what OS using.

Hi, seahwk83!

I would need to list the items, since I'm having great difficulty doing the image thing.

OS is Windows '98. I know... I know... But, it's what I have to use right now since my other, main computer won't start...

Got to keep functioning, though...

Thanks!

Theoretically you can uncheck all items in MSCONFIG since all the operating basic processes will load and do not show up there. Keep the antivirus entry as a bare minimum.

Hi, NK!

If I unchecked everything, wouldn't the things like the system tray not show as functioning at all?

Thanks!

If I unchecked everything, wouldn't the things like the system tray not show as functioning at all?

Absolutely not. Msconfig only shows you programs other than the operating system that load at startup. The system tray is an integral part of the OS. Remember that unchecking stuff in msconfig doesn't delete anything, you can always recheck again and reboot.

CCleaner makes the whole MSconfig less of a chore, and it's a MUST have application anyway for easily removing windows cludge and keeping your registry healthy. Also, best of all it's FREEEEEEEE

Where is the safe site from which I can get CCleaner, Ben?

Also, is it going to work with the present operating system that I'm using?

Thanks!

Here you go, go with the latest version.

Download CCleaner 2.30.1130 - FileHippo.com (http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner)

The MSconfig stuff is in Tools > Startup

D'oh! Why didn't I think of that! Ben is correct, Ccleaner is excellent.

I don't bother messing in MSconfig after using CCleaner, too much to mess up ;)

Okay. I've been to the site. Will be downoading it. Will take awhile for me though, to do that!

Very slow platform and connection here...

Okay. Just so it's clear here. These are the programs that are presententlly running the background of my computer.

Just in case...

Programs that are currently running:

Taskbar Display Controls
TClockex
Eraser
Driver Updater
Reminder
TaskMonitor
SystemTray
LoadPowerProfile
AtiCwd32
AtiKey
Hpsysdrv
USBKMMKBD
TkbbellExe
EPSON Stylus CX3200
StillImageMonitor
ScanRegistry
HPScanPatch
Keyboard Manager
VsStatEXE
VsEcomrEXE
TkBellExe
Vshwin32EXE
VsStatEXE
VsEcomrEXE
TkBellExe
Quick Time Task
Reg Sweep
McAfeeWebScanX
LoadPowerProfile
SchedulingAgent
Encompass_ENCMONTR
Hidserv
Vshwin32EXE
McAfeeWebScanX
CNet Wireless Utility
Office Startup
Microsoft Find Fast
Printkey2000
StillimHP Updatesagemonitor
TMyWebSearch Email PlugintrueAssistant
Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders

I would run Hijack This and post the log. Then you can just check what we tell you to and it gets rid of it. It looks like you have a few things that Hijack This will help with. It also searches other areas garbage can hang out.

HijackThis - Trend Micro USA (http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/)

MyWebSearch stands out to me right away. It's garbage.

I would also run a scan with Spybot Search & Destroy (The home of Spybot-S&D! (http://www.safer-networking.org/)). And Malwarebytes (Malwarebytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/)). I'm not sure if both will work on 98 though.

Assuming this list is when no other apps are in backround or already started and after a fresh restart

TkbbellExe - safely stop, related to realplayer (you have this running 2 times)

Microsoft Find Fast - safely stop, not needed as running process

Office Startup - only if you really need this to run on start as you can run office apps anytime you want without having this running in backround - Optional

Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders - Optional if you really use it on reg basis or require for your needs

Driver Updater - optional, you can run the driver update app manually when you want to run it (unneeded process)

StillImageMonitor - keep if using or have scanner attached

Eraser - optional, can run manually when needed

Quick Time Task - remove (wasted resources)

Reg Sweep - User optional, can run manually

Printkey2000 - run manually



Reminder - Optional - remove

LoadPowerProfile - you have 2 of these, you can safely stop one

@Curlyben: I know Spybot is lacking, especially compared to Malwarebytes, but I brought it up because I figured it would work better with 98. Also, I recommended posting his HijackThis log here so that we can help him out from there. At the very least it gives us a better snapshot of what is on his system.

Okay. So, it looks like most ot the programs running in the background can be turned off.

Corect?

I would run Hijack This and post the log. Then you can just check what we tell you to and it gets rid of it. It looks like you have a few things that Hijack This will help with. It also searches other areas garbage can hang out.

HijackThis - Trend Micro USA (http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/)

MyWebSearch stands out to me right away. It's garbage.

I would also run a scan with Spybot Search & Destroy (The home of Spybot-S&D! (http://www.safer-networking.org/)). And Malwarebytes (Malwarebytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/)). I'm not sure if both will work on 98 though.

What is Hijack, please?

What is Hijack, please?

From the link I posted:


Trend Micro HijackThis is a free utility that generates an in depth report of registry and file settings from your computer. HijackThis makes no separation between safe and unsafe settings in its scan results giving you the ability to selectively remove items from your machine. In addition to this scan and remove capability HijackThis comes with several tools useful in manually removing malware from a computer.

IMPORTANT: HijackThis does not determine what is good or bad. Do not make any changes to your computer settings unless you are an expert computer user.

So basically it generates a report which tells us what is set to run at startup, some Internet Explorer settings, etc. Basically it scans the most common places where we will find forms of malware and then you can check options for removal.

But if you post the resulting log (when ran it will give you the option to just generate a log file), then we can tell you what needs to be checked in that log.

You should be able to stop the above from starting with msconfig - take the checks out in the startup tab and apply

As mentioned above, hijackthis can run a scan on the computer and show you what is configured to run on startup

Here is the link, you can download and scan and after a scan, post the log that comes up.
HijackThis - Trend Micro USA (http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/)

Would suggest to use msconfig to remove ones mentioned above and on a fresh restart, use the scan option in hijackthis and post the scan results.

This can help in seeing if other items you may have could be disabled if not necessary resource