Blank Entry in msconfig.exe

In news:6-WdncczHpB6HpjfRVn-sw@comcast.com,
Santa had this to say:

 > Msconfig is For diagnostic USE only, But Too many users try to use it
 > as a CURE..

In ADDITION to Santa's advice head to this page:

<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml</a>

Grab Startup Control Panel from there, get the whole compressed file and it
will put a shortcut to it into your Control Panel as well.

<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.mlin.net/files/StartupCPL.zip" target="_blank">http://www.mlin.net/files/StartupCPL.zip</a> is the direct link to the file you
want.

Grab it, install it, use it. I don't often recommend software by brand but
I've been using this for years and recommending it here in the newsgroups
forever and a day. You don't have to delete anything, you can just disable
it which puts it into a seperate registry location for the time being. If
you've found it's running well without it then you can delete it but it's
always there just in case you need to put it back. You also don't get the
diagnostic error that you get when using MSCONFIG with XP to adjust your
startup files.

Why use this instead of the Registry tweaking? Because it's simpler as it's
a GUI and it's easier to revert should you make any errors. It also runs in
safemode should there be a problem.

That is in ADDITION to the above advice, it's just not appropriate to use
MSCONFIG as the solution when it's more adept for diagnosing errors.

Galen
--

"My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me
the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am
in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial
stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for
mental exaltation." -- Sherlock Holmes
 >> Stay informed about: Blank Entry in msconfig.exe 

Jess,

You may remove the entry.

How to manage Windows Startup?:
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startup.htm" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startup.htm</a>

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</a>


"Jess" wrote in message

 >I was unchecking some boxes in the startup section of msconfig.exe, and I
 > found one line with nothing in it! There was a checked check box, but
 > there
 > was no item name nor any command there. The location was given as:
 > HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
 >
 > Should I uncheck the box?
 > --
 > Jess (XP Home)
 >
 >> Stay informed about: Blank Entry in msconfig.exe 

Thank you all very much. I know msconfig is supposed to be for diagnostics,
but it seemed safer than going to the registry, and anyway I wanted to keep
my options open and not permanently remove things, just in case... As a
point of interest, and embarrassing honesty, I thought I should post the fact
that it's gone now! Far as I can find out it was a remnant of MediaPlayer10
mixed up with some Spyware.

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

 > Jess,
 >
 > You may remove the entry.
 >
 > How to manage Windows Startup?:
<font color=purple> > <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startup.htm</font" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startup.htm</font</a>>
 >
 > --
 > Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
 > Windows XP Shell/User
<font color=purple> > <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font</a>>
 >
 >


  > >I was unchecking some boxes in the startup section of msconfig.exe, and I
  > > found one line with nothing in it! There was a checked check box, but
  > > there
  > > was no item name nor any command there. The location was given as:
  > > HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
  > >
  > > Should I uncheck the box?
  > > --
  > > Jess (XP Home)
  > >
 >
 >
 >> Stay informed about: Blank Entry in msconfig.exe 

You're welcome Jess. FYI: Autoruns is a great tool from Sysinternals, which
is far better than MSConfig, and enumerates many other startup entry points
(apart from the entries from RUN keys).

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</a>


"Jess" wrote in message

 > Thank you all very much. I know msconfig is supposed to be for
 > diagnostics,
 > but it seemed safer than going to the registry, and anyway I wanted to
 > keep
 > my options open and not permanently remove things, just in case... As a
 > point of interest, and embarrassing honesty, I thought I should post the
 > fact
 > that it's gone now! Far as I can find out it was a remnant of
 > MediaPlayer10
 > mixed up with some Spyware.
 >
 > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
 >
  >> Jess,
  >>
  >> You may remove the entry.
  >>
  >> How to manage Windows Startup?:
<font color=green>  >> <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startup.htm</font" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startup.htm</font</a>>
  >>
  >> --
  >> Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
  >> Windows XP Shell/User
<font color=green>  >> <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font</a>>
  >>
  >>


   >> >I was unchecking some boxes in the startup section of msconfig.exe, and
   >> >I
   >> > found one line with nothing in it! There was a checked check box, but
   >> > there
   >> > was no item name nor any command there. The location was given as:
   >> > HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
   >> >
   >> > Should I uncheck the box?
   >> > --
   >> > Jess (XP Home)
   >> >
  >>
  >>
 >> Stay informed about: Blank Entry in msconfig.exe 

Thank you all for your help. And I now know the cause of my problem.
Norton's
so-called protection corrupted many of my files, including part of its own
Firewall. So far I've only reinstalled the firewall, and a lot of my
problems, including, I'm sure, the one which was the subject of this
posting, have been solved. (My other problems will be the subject of new
postings.)

Once again, thank you all for your help and input.


"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

 > You're welcome Jess. FYI: Autoruns is a great tool from Sysinternals, which
 > is far better than MSConfig, and enumerates many other startup entry points
 > (apart from the entries from RUN keys).
 >
 > --
 > Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
 > Windows XP Shell/User
<font color=purple> > <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font</a>>
 >
 >


  > > Thank you all very much. I know msconfig is supposed to be for
  > > diagnostics,
  > > but it seemed safer than going to the registry, and anyway I wanted to
  > > keep
  > > my options open and not permanently remove things, just in case... As a
  > > point of interest, and embarrassing honesty, I thought I should post the
  > > fact
  > > that it's gone now! Far as I can find out it was a remnant of
  > > MediaPlayer10
  > > mixed up with some Spyware.
  > >
  > > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
  > >
   > >> Jess,
   > >>
   > >> You may remove the entry.
   > >>
   > >> How to manage Windows Startup?:
<font color=brown>   > >> <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startup.htm</font" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startup.htm</font</a>>
   > >>
   > >> --
   > >> Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
   > >> Windows XP Shell/User
<font color=brown>   > >> <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font</a>>
   > >>
   > >>


   > >> >I was unchecking some boxes in the startup section of msconfig.exe, and
   > >> >I
   > >> > found one line with nothing in it! There was a checked check box, but
   > >> > there
   > >> > was no item name nor any command there. The location was given as:
   > >> > HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
   > >> >
   > >> > Should I uncheck the box?
   > >> > --
   > >> > Jess (XP Home)
   > >> >
   > >>
   > >>
 >
 >
 >> Stay informed about: Blank Entry in msconfig.exe 

You're welcome Jess.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</a>


"Jess" wrote in message

 > Thank you all for your help. And I now know the cause of my problem.
 > Norton's
 > so-called protection corrupted many of my files, including part of its own
 > Firewall. So far I've only reinstalled the firewall, and a lot of my
 > problems, including, I'm sure, the one which was the subject of this
 > posting, have been solved. (My other problems will be the subject of new
 > postings.)
 >
 > Once again, thank you all for your help and input.
 >
 >
 > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
 >
  >> You're welcome Jess. FYI: Autoruns is a great tool from Sysinternals,
  >> which
  >> is far better than MSConfig, and enumerates many other startup entry
  >> points
  >> (apart from the entries from RUN keys).
  >>
  >> --
  >> Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
  >> Windows XP Shell/User
<font color=green>  >> <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font</a>>
  >>
  >>


   >> > Thank you all very much. I know msconfig is supposed to be for
   >> > diagnostics,
   >> > but it seemed safer than going to the registry, and anyway I wanted to
   >> > keep
   >> > my options open and not permanently remove things, just in case... As
   >> > a
   >> > point of interest, and embarrassing honesty, I thought I should post
   >> > the
   >> > fact
   >> > that it's gone now! Far as I can find out it was a remnant of
   >> > MediaPlayer10
   >> > mixed up with some Spyware.
   >> >
   >> > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
   >> >
   >> >> Jess,
   >> >>
   >> >> You may remove the entry.
   >> >>
   >> >> How to manage Windows Startup?:
<font color=brown>   >> >> <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startup.htm</font" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startup.htm</font</a>>
   >> >>
   >> >> --
   >> >> Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
   >> >> Windows XP Shell/User
<font color=brown>   >> >> <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font</a>>
   >> >>
   >> >>


   >> >> >I was unchecking some boxes in the startup section of msconfig.exe,
   >> >> >and
   >> >> >I
   >> >> > found one line with nothing in it! There was a checked check box,
   >> >> > but
   >> >> > there
   >> >> > was no item name nor any command there. The location was given as:
   >> >> > HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
   >> >> >
   >> >> > Should I uncheck the box?
   >> >> > --
   >> >> > Jess (XP Home)
   >> >> >
   >> >>
   >> >>
  >>
  >>
 >> Stay informed about: Blank Entry in msconfig.exe 

Santa,
I have the same problem as Jess. I went to edit the registry at the
location of this "blank" program but there were NO blank entries at this
destination. I didn't expect to find and entry to delet because it is BLANK.
How do I find the program or entry in the registry location that is causing
this proglem?

Thanks

"Santa" wrote:

 >
 >
 > Jess wrote:
  > > I was unchecking some boxes in the startup section of msconfig.exe, and I
  > > found one line with nothing in it! There was a checked check box, but there
  > > was no item name nor any command there. The location was given as:
  > > HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
  > >
  > > Should I uncheck the box?
 >
 > The correct Way is to EDIT the Registry and Take out The Blank KEY
 > it already Tells you were to go in the Registery to Delete it..
 > (HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run)
 >
 >
 > Msconfig is For diagnostic USE only, But Too many users try to use it as
 > a CURE..
 >
 >> Stay informed about: Blank Entry in msconfig.exe 

Apparently, if there is no path, or maybe an incorrect path, in Value
Data,
the item shows up blank in msconfig | Startup. Also if Default under
Data
is blank (nothing there at all) instead of (value not set).

Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK |
Navigate to >>
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

What do you see in the right hand pane?
Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
column?

Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK |
Navigate to >>
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

What do you see in the right hand pane?
Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
column?

From StartMan HELP:
[[An orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.

How do they occur?

They primarily occur because you've disabled a startup and then, at a
later
date, uninstalled the program that uses it. The uninstaller won't know
about the disabled startup so it gets left behind. And if the
uninstaller
deletes the target file then the startup becomes an orphan. Orphans can
also
occur if you rename or move the target file elsewhere. Where an orphan
is
also enabled you may see missing file reports at startup. In the case of
menu startups (shortcuts), the shell will attempt to resolve the target
by a
brute-force search for the file based upon the information stored in the
shortcut.

How do I avoid creating orphans when uninstalling software?

Firstly, before uninstalling any software, ensure all its startups are
enabled with StartMan. This ensures all its startups can be located.
Next,
use the program's own options to disable or remove the startups - if
that is
an option. Finally, uninstall the software. All things being equal, the
startups should be gone, along with the software that used them. If
not...]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In news:08B32AD6-276A-4E4A-8C4B-7C79720CA41B@microsoft.com,
Dummie hunted and pecked:
 > Santa,
 > I have the same problem as Jess. I went to edit the registry at
 > the location of this "blank" program but there were NO blank entries
 > at this destination. I didn't expect to find and entry to delet
 > because it is BLANK. How do I find the program or entry in the
 > registry location that is causing this proglem?
 >
 > Thanks
 >
 > "Santa" wrote:
 >
  >>
  >>
  >> Jess wrote:
   >>> I was unchecking some boxes in the startup section of msconfig.exe,
   >>> and I found one line with nothing in it! There was a checked check
   >>> box, but there was no item name nor any command there. The
   >>> location was given as:
   >>> HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
   >>>
   >>> Should I uncheck the box?
  >>
  >> The correct Way is to EDIT the Registry and Take out The Blank KEY
  >> it already Tells you were to go in the Registery to Delete it..
  >> (HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run)
  >>
  >>
  >> Msconfig is For diagnostic USE only, But Too many users try to use
  >> it as a CURE..
 >> Stay informed about: Blank Entry in msconfig.exe 

The unchecked [disabled] items in MSCONFIG are present here:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg]

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</a>


"Dummie" wrote in message

 > Santa,
 > I have the same problem as Jess. I went to edit the registry at the
 > location of this "blank" program but there were NO blank entries at this
 > destination. I didn't expect to find and entry to delet because it is
 > BLANK.
 > How do I find the program or entry in the registry location that is
 > causing
 > this proglem?
 >
 > Thanks
 >
 > "Santa" wrote:
 >
  >>
  >>
  >> Jess wrote:
   >> > I was unchecking some boxes in the startup section of msconfig.exe, and
   >> > I
   >> > found one line with nothing in it! There was a checked check box, but
   >> > there
   >> > was no item name nor any command there. The location was given as:
   >> > HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
   >> >
   >> > Should I uncheck the box?
  >>
  >> The correct Way is to EDIT the Registry and Take out The Blank KEY
  >> it already Tells you were to go in the Registery to Delete it..
  >> (HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run)
  >>
  >>
  >> Msconfig is For diagnostic USE only, But Too many users try to use it as
  >> a CURE..
  >>
 >> Stay informed about: Blank Entry in msconfig.exe 

Another happy customer for Wes:


--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</a>


"Wesley Vogel" wrote in message

 > Apparently, if there is no path, or maybe an incorrect path, in Value
 > Data,
 > the item shows up blank in msconfig | Startup. Also if Default under
 > Data
 > is blank (nothing there at all) instead of (value not set).
 >
 > Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK |
 > Navigate to >>
 > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
 >
 > What do you see in the right hand pane?
 > Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
 > column?
 >
 > Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK |
 > Navigate to >>
 > HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
 >
 > What do you see in the right hand pane?
 > Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
 > column?
 >
 > From StartMan HELP:
 > [[An orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.
 >
 > How do they occur?
 >
 > They primarily occur because you've disabled a startup and then, at a
 > later
 > date, uninstalled the program that uses it. The uninstaller won't know
 > about the disabled startup so it gets left behind. And if the
 > uninstaller
 > deletes the target file then the startup becomes an orphan. Orphans can
 > also
 > occur if you rename or move the target file elsewhere. Where an orphan
 > is
 > also enabled you may see missing file reports at startup. In the case of
 > menu startups (shortcuts), the shell will attempt to resolve the target
 > by a
 > brute-force search for the file based upon the information stored in the
 > shortcut.
 >
 > How do I avoid creating orphans when uninstalling software?
 >
 > Firstly, before uninstalling any software, ensure all its startups are
 > enabled with StartMan. This ensures all its startups can be located.
 > Next,
 > use the program's own options to disable or remove the startups - if
 > that is
 > an option. Finally, uninstall the software. All things being equal, the
 > startups should be gone, along with the software that used them. If
 > not...]]
 >
 > --
 > Hope this helps. Let us know.
 >
 > Wes
 > MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
 >


  >> Santa,
  >> I have the same problem as Jess. I went to edit the registry at
  >> the location of this "blank" program but there were NO blank entries
  >> at this destination. I didn't expect to find and entry to delet
  >> because it is BLANK. How do I find the program or entry in the
  >> registry location that is causing this proglem?
  >>
  >> Thanks
  >>
  >> "Santa" wrote:
  >>
   >>>
   >>>
   >>> Jess wrote:
   >>>> I was unchecking some boxes in the startup section of msconfig.exe,
   >>>> and I found one line with nothing in it! There was a checked check
   >>>> box, but there was no item name nor any command there. The
   >>>> location was given as:
   >>>> HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
   >>>>
   >>>> Should I uncheck the box?
   >>>
   >>> The correct Way is to EDIT the Registry and Take out The Blank KEY
   >>> it already Tells you were to go in the Registery to Delete it..
   >>> (HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run)
   >>>
   >>>
   >>> Msconfig is For diagnostic USE only, But Too many users try to use
   >>> it as a CURE..
 >
 >> Stay informed about: Blank Entry in msconfig.exe 

That's why we get the big bucks, Ramesh.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In news:OBL8cFrOFHA.580@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl,
Ramesh, MS-MVP hunted and pecked:
 > Another happy customer for Wes:

 >
 > --
 > Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
 > Windows XP Shell/User
<font color=purple> > <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font</a>>
 >
 >


  >> Apparently, if there is no path, or maybe an incorrect path, in Value
  >> Data,
  >> the item shows up blank in msconfig | Startup. Also if Default under
  >> Data
  >> is blank (nothing there at all) instead of (value not set).
  >>
  >> Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK |
  >> Navigate to >>
  >> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  >>
  >> What do you see in the right hand pane?
  >> Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
  >> column?
  >>
  >> Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK |
  >> Navigate to >>
  >> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  >>
  >> What do you see in the right hand pane?
  >> Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
  >> column?
  >>
  >> From StartMan HELP:
  >> [[An orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.
  >>
  >> How do they occur?
  >>
  >> They primarily occur because you've disabled a startup and then, at a
  >> later
  >> date, uninstalled the program that uses it. The uninstaller won't
  >> know about the disabled startup so it gets left behind. And if the
  >> uninstaller
  >> deletes the target file then the startup becomes an orphan. Orphans
  >> can also
  >> occur if you rename or move the target file elsewhere. Where an
  >> orphan is
  >> also enabled you may see missing file reports at startup. In the
  >> case of menu startups (shortcuts), the shell will attempt to resolve
  >> the target by a
  >> brute-force search for the file based upon the information stored in
  >> the shortcut.
  >>
  >> How do I avoid creating orphans when uninstalling software?
  >>
  >> Firstly, before uninstalling any software, ensure all its startups
  >> are enabled with StartMan. This ensures all its startups can be
  >> located. Next,
  >> use the program's own options to disable or remove the startups - if
  >> that is
  >> an option. Finally, uninstall the software. All things being equal,
  >> the startups should be gone, along with the software that used them.
  >> If not...]]
  >>
  >> --
  >> Hope this helps. Let us know.
  >>
  >> Wes
  >> MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
  >>


   >>> Santa,
   >>> I have the same problem as Jess. I went to edit the registry at
   >>> the location of this "blank" program but there were NO blank entries
   >>> at this destination. I didn't expect to find and entry to delet
   >>> because it is BLANK. How do I find the program or entry in the
   >>> registry location that is causing this proglem?
   >>>
   >>> Thanks
   >>>
   >>> "Santa" wrote:
   >>>
   >>>>
   >>>>
   >>>> Jess wrote:
   >>>>> I was unchecking some boxes in the startup section of
   >>>>> msconfig.exe, and I found one line with nothing in it! There was
   >>>>> a checked check box, but there was no item name nor any command
   >>>>> there. The location was given as:
   >>>>> HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
   >>>>>
   >>>>> Should I uncheck the box?
   >>>>
   >>>> The correct Way is to EDIT the Registry and Take out The Blank KEY
   >>>> it already Tells you were to go in the Registery to Delete it..
   >>>> (HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run)
   >>>>
   >>>>
   >>>> Msconfig is For diagnostic USE only, But Too many users try to use
   >>>> it as a CURE..
 >> Stay informed about: Blank Entry in msconfig.exe 

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</a>


"Wesley Vogel" wrote in message

 > That's why we get the big bucks, Ramesh.
 >
 > --
 > Hope this helps. Let us know.
 >
 > Wes
 > MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
 >


  >> Another happy customer for Wes:

  >>
  >> --
  >> Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
  >> Windows XP Shell/User
<font color=green>  >> <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font" target="_blank">http://windowsxp.mvps.org</font</a>>
  >>
  >>


   >>> Apparently, if there is no path, or maybe an incorrect path, in Value
   >>> Data,
   >>> the item shows up blank in msconfig | Startup. Also if Default under
   >>> Data
   >>> is blank (nothing there at all) instead of (value not set).
   >>>
   >>> Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK |
   >>> Navigate to >>
   >>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   >>>
   >>> What do you see in the right hand pane?
   >>> Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
   >>> column?
   >>>
   >>> Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK |
   >>> Navigate to >>
   >>> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   >>>
   >>> What do you see in the right hand pane?
   >>> Do you see an entry with blank (nothing there at all) in the Data
   >>> column?
   >>>
   >>> From StartMan HELP:
   >>> [[An orphan is a startup item that has a non-existent target file.
   >>>
   >>> How do they occur?
   >>>
   >>> They primarily occur because you've disabled a startup and then, at a
   >>> later
   >>> date, uninstalled the program that uses it. The uninstaller won't
   >>> know about the disabled startup so it gets left behind. And if the
   >>> uninstaller
   >>> deletes the target file then the startup becomes an orphan. Orphans
   >>> can also
   >>> occur if you rename or move the target file elsewhere. Where an
   >>> orphan is
   >>> also enabled you may see missing file reports at startup. In the
   >>> case of menu startups (shortcuts), the shell will attempt to resolve
   >>> the target by a
   >>> brute-force search for the file based upon the information stored in
   >>> the shortcut.
   >>>
   >>> How do I avoid creating orphans when uninstalling software?
   >>>
   >>> Firstly, before uninstalling any software, ensure all its startups
   >>> are enabled with StartMan. This ensures all its startups can be
   >>> located. Next,
   >>> use the program's own options to disable or remove the startups - if
   >>> that is
   >>> an option. Finally, uninstall the software. All things being equal,
   >>> the startups should be gone, along with the software that used them.
   >>> If not...]]
   >>>
   >>> --
   >>> Hope this helps. Let us know.
   >>>
   >>> Wes
   >>> MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
   >>>


   >>>> Santa,
   >>>> I have the same problem as Jess. I went to edit the registry at
   >>>> the location of this "blank" program but there were NO blank entries
   >>>> at this destination. I didn't expect to find and entry to delet
   >>>> because it is BLANK. How do I find the program or entry in the
   >>>> registry location that is causing this proglem?
   >>>>
   >>>> Thanks
   >>>>
   >>>> "Santa" wrote:
   >>>>
   >>>>>
   >>>>>
   >>>>> Jess wrote:
   >>>>>> I was unchecking some boxes in the startup section of
   >>>>>> msconfig.exe, and I found one line with nothing in it! There was
   >>>>>> a checked check box, but there was no item name nor any command
   >>>>>> there. The location was given as:
   >>>>>> HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
   >>>>>>
   >>>>>> Should I uncheck the box?
   >>>>>
   >>>>> The correct Way is to EDIT the Registry and Take out The Blank KEY
   >>>>> it already Tells you were to go in the Registery to Delete it..
   >>>>> (HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run)
   >>>>>
   >>>>>
   >>>>> Msconfig is For diagnostic USE only, But Too many users try to use
   >>>>> it as a CURE..
 >
 >> Stay informed about: Blank Entry in msconfig.exe 

This may or not help, but about a year ago (when I was using Windows98se) I
had this same problem which I was finally able to solve. The process
appears to be complex, but if you read my process closely, you may find some
similarities to your registry findings.

I thought you might be interested in reading this web page:
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://forums.techguy.org/showthread.php?t=206050&referrerid=102362" target="_blank">http://forums.techguy.org/showthread.php?t=206050&referrerid=102362</a>


"Dummie" wrote in message

 > Santa,
 > I have the same problem as Jess. I went to edit the registry at the
 > location of this "blank" program but there were NO blank entries at this
 > destination. I didn't expect to find and entry to delet because it is
 > BLANK.
 > How do I find the program or entry in the registry location that is
 > causing
 > this proglem?
 >
 > Thanks
 >
 > "Santa" wrote:
 >
  >>
  >>
  >> Jess wrote:
   >> > I was unchecking some boxes in the startup section of msconfig.exe, and
   >> > I
   >> > found one line with nothing in it! There was a checked check box, but
   >> > there
   >> > was no item name nor any command there. The location was given as:
   >> > HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
   >> >
   >> > Should I uncheck the box?
  >>
  >> The correct Way is to EDIT the Registry and Take out The Blank KEY
  >> it already Tells you were to go in the Registery to Delete it..
  >> (HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run)
  >>
  >>
  >> Msconfig is For diagnostic USE only, But Too many users try to use it as
  >> a CURE..
  >>
 >> Stay informed about: Blank Entry in msconfig.exe