Prowler Programs(Asher or somebody?)

[Elok]

No, this isn't about cookies or anything stupid like that. I'm talking about the programs that automatically start up when your computer starts and stay running in the background until you Ctrl-Alt-Del them into oblivion. I have no problem with those three keys(god bless whoever thought of that little exorcist combo), but I use them an awful lot to get rid of memory-swilling programs that don't seem to perform any useful function, like "sound manager." My computer has no sound card! Why the devil is Sound Manager even on it? I also have no use for "atiptaxx," "systray" which I know is the system tray but I don't need it, and a host of other crap; the computer I use used to be my dad's so it has a lot of his stuff on it. I've hunted around the control panel for ages looking for a way to flush 'em, and no luck. Do I have to figure out what all those obscure names stand for, hunt down the individual programs, and alter my preferences for them one by one, or is there another, easier way?

[Paul Hanson]

Remember the names of the programs, then select "Run" from the start menu and enter "msconfig" into it. Click on the "Startup" tab, and uncheck all the programs that you don't want to run when your computer starts.

[Solver]

Or if you don't have msconfig, there are two registry keys where startup entries normally reside.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run

And HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Run

[Urban Ranger]

You do need the systray program.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
You do need the systray program.

Does he? Whatever for? The Windows system tray doesn't run as a separate program, it's part of Explorer.exe. It sounds like spyware to me to confuse people who don't know what they're talking about into thinking it's a real program.

And atiptaxx is for your video card.

[Elok]

Yes, I've banished the systray many a time with no adverse effects. I really don't need instant access to the stuff there.
Thanks for the help, and for telling me that atiptaxx is video, BTW. I've been randomly turning the frigging things off by guess and by god and hoping it would cure the slowdown.
Please don't lock yet, mods; if this doesn't work I'll need to throw myself at the mercy of the techie crowds again, after all.

[blackice]

Sound manager is a mac program, what os do you have?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Asher
Does he? Whatever for? The Windows system tray doesn't run as a separate program, it's part of Explorer.exe.

Maybe on your system.

[Fitz]

On Windows 98:
Start / Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Information

Then from the menu, tools / system configuration

The rightmost tab is the startup tab. From there, you can disable any auto-start programs you want to get rid of that aren't in the startup folder. Be careful what you get rid of though.

Without systray, you can't disable things the old fasion way. All the ATIstuff are special "helpful" programs for changing the setting quickly on your video adapter, you can probably safely turn them off.

If you end up in safe mode, turn some stuff back on until you can get back in.

When you close it, you have to restart.

[blackice]

Urban Ranger Asher is correct, I will add on some systems it does not show up. Bottom line is it's not needed. It does not take up that much resources either.

I would agree with Asher to a degree, it's more than likely a virus. Unless it is winme

I have to admit though not enough information has been told to form a difinitive answer.

[MrFun]

another computer technical thread to thread-jack into something mindless