Alternate startup processes needed

Hi, normally when I startup each day, I have to wait while 65-70 processes load. (see attachment for some of them)

This is alright when I want to onto the Internet (and MG) daily.

Quite often I'd like the option of a quicker startup (and a lot less processes) when I just want to do something like housekeeping or writing a note/ document, or email to be posted later.

Can anyone recommend a program (free or shareware) that allows me the option of deciding which way I want to go at startup?

Say 2 batch files popup and allows me the choice of which one to use.
I have googled a lot but nothing I noticed answers the way I'd like to go.

XP Pro Sp3, 2gigs RAM, plenty of hard drive space, swopping soon to Windows 7 I hope.

Thumbnail shows some of the startup processes.

Bazza

 

I use Tweak IV. I do not however use it all the time. You should DL it from here, http://majorgeeks.com/TweakVI_Basic_Edition_d5262.html And see is this gives you enough customization.

 

Thanks, but that download is only suitable for Vista according to MG. :cry

Tweak-XP Pro 4.0.9
http://majorgeeks.com/Tweak-XP_Pro_d105.html
is suitable for XP. Will look at this one.

Bazza

 

oh, I didn't see that you put xp, I didn't read entire thread :confused
there is another on one of my older PC, I'll look and see what is on there but it's basically the same thing. I'll get back to u.

 

http://majorgeeks.com/Tweak_Genie_d4740.html
This is tweak genie. There is also one for XP, but it is like 39.99, I'll post some pics of mine.

 

Thanks guys. But what I am really after is the option to do either a fast start (minimum processes) or standard Internet bootup.

Select from 1 of 2 batch files (or similar) to go either way on startup.
Not just reduce the number of startup processes.

Bazza

 

I see. I'll keep my eyes open if I see anything like that.

 

The only way I know is 1) put XP to sleep and wake as needed or go to the ugly "L" word. Linux & dual boot. If you want to pay try: Presto http://www.prestomypc.com/
My Asus mobo had a linux boot included boots in seconds to web or write a note that I can save to my Windows system.

Also to diaganose the boot try Soluto. It tells you a ton about you boot sequence & time to load.
http://www.soluto.com/

 

forgot Soluto also will remove boot items or delay them.
May be helpful.

 

My thoughts at the moment are:

1.---Leave the startup as is, for logging onto the Internet (all 65-70 processes)

2.---Bootup into Safe Mode to reboot, or run a batch file, or similar, to restart Windows with a minimum of processes specified, using something like one of the Tweak programs.

Not what I would really like but seems reasonably simple.

Your comments on whether this would work, and the best program to examine all processes normally running and reduce them for non_Internet use.

Would this work?

Bazza

 

Not a program, but would this work? http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/xpprofiles.htm. I know it's for sp2 but should work.

 

Thanks plastidust. :major I will check it out.

Noticed this in a very quick read:

It is a pity that the background is all black. I'd like to print it out for further study. Maybe an answer is a different user?

Bazza

 

I was thinking of "screen printing" the articles in Viper which would have been with a black background, but in Opera Menu, which I don't use often, I have found the print and print preview options and they have a white background. :cool

Reconnect my laptop and printer together in another room and print the articles out, and I'm off experimenting. :major

Bazza

 

A second user account is not a bad idea. At least if you booted with the minimal processes account and change your mind you could just log into the other account without going through the entire re-boot sequence.

Glad you came up with something. I was going to suggest one of the "PDF writers" but your idea sounds a lot better.

 

Using Black Vipers guide, I've set up a second profile (same user) that reduces the number of processes loaded at Startup.

Now all I need is a second way to setup the number of programs for a minimum bootup.

For example, close down my Browser, Spybot Tea Timer, Comodo Firewall, Avast Anti Virus, Pest Patrol, Trillian, etc., as I won't be on the Net when using this option.

Can you help with a Batch file, script, or whatever is required?

Bazza

 

Some one else will have to help you here Bazza. I've not written any significant batch(script) files in years and never any trying to shut services down. At that, shutting down security services(once running) via a script may prove problimatic at best.

What made you decide on using a seperate profile instead of a second user account? Then you could just use something like Startup Control Panel Standalone Version on the second user account. Don't ask me why but for some reason I was under the impression that's what you might do.

You're gonna make me go buy a book aren't you?

I'll see what I can come with but don't hold your breath as I'm a slow learner. Hopefully some one wizer(of which there are many, thankfully) will come along while I go back to school.

If I find(or figure out) a script(or some other method) I'll have to send you a PM as posting an un-authorized alternative method of shutting down security programs would not be a good thing to do in a public forum. Especially at Major Geeks. The hammer of Thor(worse yet, MA's or AbbySue's) would most assuredly fall, and rightfully so.

 

That sure seems like a lot of processes running. My total with XP SP3 is less
than half of that.

I suspect you already know about this, but in case you don't, you can use this
guide to re-configure which services load Automatically or Manually only when
needed or are disabled.

BlackViper Win XP SP3 Service Configurations

I know there is another link here for BV, but this is the full list.

Cheers :wave

 

Bazza, might this app make your tasks a little easier? Not sure if it's exactly what you are looking for, but it seems like it might be helpful as it's based on Black Viper's settings.

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/smart-a-utility-for-tweaking-windows-7-vista-xp-services

 

Thanks a heap, you guys, for a lot of suggestions. :major

I don't know enough about a second user account, to know what effect that will have on folders like .../My Documents or.../Downloads, etc.

I hope to go to W7 Ultimate, shortly, and have no idea at all how W7 treats 2 users. I decided to stick with 1 only, for the present and see if I / you guys could come up with a solution.

PM's would be fine. I didn't think about the great unwashed, out there, using your advice for naughty tricks. :-o :-o

I will check out those links, too.

As for the number of processes, I have attached a thumbnail of some of mine. :-D None of them would be there, if I didn't need / use them.

Bazza

 

Actually plastidust, I don't want to shut them down. I just want to stop them starting up. A pedantic difference I guess, but it might keep MA/CP off our backs. :-D
Bazza

===

 

Hey Bazza, a quick question for ya. Do you have StartUp CPL on your computer? If so run it, click on the HKCU / Run Tab. What all is listed there?

Looks like the best thing to do is set up a 2nd user account and then, from the 2nd account run Startup CPL and un-check most(if not all) the items listed under the HKCU / Run Tab.

As far as creating a 2nd user account having an effect on the 1st user accounts "My Documents", it shouldn't. When the 2nd user account is created a separate folder structure for the 2nd user will be created that is similar to the 1st user account. Although it will be mostly empty compared to the 1st user account.

I'm not seeing a reliable/effective means of preventing everything you want stopped(firewall, AV, etc.) from starting up on one boot and then let them startup on the next. Unless you can do it with the profiles.

Trying to stop services from a script file can be dangerous and would be counter productive anyway, even if we could get it to work.

Following mjnc's advice or using solaris89's suggestions on a second profile in conjunction with a second user account with limited user startups may get the job done.

 

plastidust, I've just installed Startup CPL and will vet items in HKCU / Run and HKLM / Run. Run them for a few days and see what happens.
I will then post both of them in this thread.
A quick look at the current HKCU / Run shows the programs I think I want to keep.
The programs like Trillian, Comodo etc., that I want to stop opening up, don't appear in either HKCU or HKLM. :confused

Bazza

 

By coincidence, I was also looking for ways to speed up Startup when I saw this thread.

I've been Googling Startup Faster and came across this site: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Windows-XP-Startup-Faster

I'm not techie inclined but I might give that one a shot because it seems simple enough.

 

Bigbazza, hope you have a recent image of your boot drive/partition. You may need it soon here.

Since Startup CPL isn't showing you what you're looking for, have a look with Autoruns. Boot from your second profile.

After you start "Autoruns" and it has finished scanning(may take a little time, depending on what is installed):

• click the "Options" menu and make sure the "Hide Microsoft and Windows Entries" option has a check mark(ticked) in front of it.
• if you've created a 2nd user account(hopefully), click the "User" menu and select that 2nd user account. It should auto refresh at this point.
• press the F5 key, or from the "File" menu select the "Refresh" option.

From here things will have to be dealt with on an item by item basis. Some items, like avast, will have several entries while others may only have one. Anyway, take a look and we'll see what can be safely prevented from starting up.

Might want to revert any changes made with Startup CPL and then re-boot before you run Autoruns.

Lavender, think you would be better off using CCleaner for cleaning the registry.

 

I use CCleaner several times a day. I have not made any changes to the program since I downloaded it. What should I tick to get it to clean Registry?

 

Okay, I found Regedit on CCleaner.

 

Thanks again, plastidust. So much to learn, so little time. :-D

Bazza