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Thread ID: 51470 2004-11-21 22:29:00 Windows Startup Problems Allblack (4982) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
294740 2004-11-21 22:29:00 Morning all. I've gone through the Search function with no avail....

After getting PC back from Quay Computers to clear of spyware and other grotty stuff I ended up with, my machine is having a problem with starting up (and internet diallers but that's another strory...)

When the machine is turned on, it will either sit on "Welcome", or go to the XP wallpaper, but no icons appear. Pushing reset will always fix this.

I've had a nosey at Startup under MSCONFIG, and noted two unusual things that you may be able to help with. I haven't touched anything under MSCONFIG because I'm NOT PC-savvy, and I've heard that unless you know what you're doing, don't dick around with it !!!!!

Anyway, there are about 15 entries, all have HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows etc etc as their location, but one is called CTHELPER, and shows different in the Command column as CTHELPER.EXE ( not the usual C:\Program Files ).

Is this usual, should it have it's box checked?

Another is a line with it's box checked, but nothing shows under Startup Item or Command. Just a checked box, ending with HKLM ...... under Location.

Hope this rabble makes some sense, and you can tell me whether or not I should be worried by these two things.

Many thanks in advance.
Tim
Allblack (4982)
294741 2004-11-21 22:34:00 CTHelper is not dodgy:
www.liutilities.com

I'd say to take it back to Quay computers, and get them to fix it, as clearing out spyware etc. shouldn't do this to your computer.
somebody (208)
294742 2004-11-21 22:36:00 Thanks for that, I probably will.

Was just keen to try and do something myself and not pay them if I can avoid it.

Cheers
Tim

What about the blank line?
Allblack (4982)
294743 2004-11-21 22:45:00 I would be inclined to untick the blank line, restart the computer and see what happens. If the computer doesn't' boot up, go into Safe mode and re-tick the box. somebody (208)
294744 2004-11-21 22:51:00 Cool, I'll do that now. Though I'm "scared" of that part of the PC.....

Toughen up boy!

'ere goes.....
Allblack (4982)
294745 2004-11-21 22:58:00 Well, I'm baaack.

Re-booted and all seems good in the world.

Didn't like the look of that thing, though I'd love to know why it's there in the first place.

Cheers
Tim
Allblack (4982)
294746 2004-11-21 23:00:00 It may have been the remants of spyware which was removed. This is just a guess though.

Good to hear that it didn't kill your PC:)
somebody (208)
294747 2004-11-21 23:07:00 Just for future reference you can disable almost everything in MSCONFIG's startup, though you won't want to disable your AV or firewall, of course, unless you are troubleshooting and need to eliminate them as suspects .

When things go wonky with your PC disabling the MSCONFIG startup items is a good way of discovering whether any of them are the ones causing the problem . After disabling the whole lot you then re-enable them one by one (rebooting between each of course) and check for problems before enabling the next one .
Susan B (19)
294748 2004-11-21 23:09:00 Understood, though I'm very cautious about mucking around in there...

I note that I've got "Selective" startup checked, instead of Normal.

Is this expected?
Allblack (4982)
294749 2004-11-21 23:13:00 Under the General tab? Yep, that's normal. :-) Susan B (19)
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