Msconfig won't run - help!

[Cat Erina]

Hello.

My system is VERY slow and tends to freeze since my last windows update a
couple of weeks ago. Someone suggested I check the list of items that load
at startup and eliminate what is useless.

The thing is, when I try to run MSCONFIG from the start tab, nothing
happens, nothing at all. No new window appears, I don't get to go to the
Startup tab to see what can be safely dispensed with.

I located Msconfig.exe by doing a search and tried clicking on it directly,
but nothing happened when I did either.

How can I check the items that are loading at startup if I can't open
Msconfig?

I have Windows 98.

Thanks for taking the time.

Catherine (ca...@sprint.ca)
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[Colin Wilson]

> I located Msconfig.exe by doing a search and tried clicking on it directly,
> but nothing happened when I did either.
> How can I check the items that are loading at startup if I can't open
> Msconfig?

This may be spyware at work, although I haven`t specifically heard of
something that prevents MSCONFIG from being run. I`m guessing that if its
spyware, then its trying to prevent you from removing it easily :-}

I`ve got some links on my site below with newbie level instructions on
how to configure Spybot Search & Destroy to best effect (or at least to
the best of my knowledge :-} )

http://www.phoenixbbs.co.uk

Note: All files I link to are free

In your case, perhaps check the second link down to start with, and
follow the first link on the page* ( http://www.lurkhere.com/~nicefiles )

Download HijackThis! and you will be able to remove anything you like
from your startup - and its a more comprehensive list than that shown in
MSCONFIG.

One word of warning - if you remove the wrong things it can prevent your
machine from booting up properly.

Feel free to get a log of what it finds and email it to me, and i`ll see
if I can help you interpret what is safe to remove.

* While I don`t normally like to point people at third party sites for
software (in case it has been compromised), i`ve used this site for a
while and had no problems. The home page for HijackThis! is frequently
offline due to DDoS attacks from people who want to keep spyware alive !

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