opening sound corrupted?

This is a trivial problem, but I wonder if there's something I can do to fix
it. Ever since I received my new Dell notebook last month (WinXP, SP2 then
but SP3 now), the Start Windows sound begins OK but then has some
hesitations in it toward the end. All the other sounds are normal. I'd be
grateful for suggestions.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

Jo-Anne wrote:

> This is a trivial problem, but I wonder if there's something I can do to
> fix it. Ever since I received my new Dell notebook last month (WinXP, SP2
> then but SP3 now), the Start Windows sound begins OK but then has some
> hesitations in it toward the end. All the other sounds are normal. I'd be
> grateful for suggestions.

It just means that lots of stuff is starting up with Windows and perhaps
something is interfering. Streamline your startup programs/processes and
see if that helps.

Start>Run>msconfig [enter]

This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and
find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK
out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you'll
get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in
effect, "don't bother me about this again".

Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes.
Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services
unless you really, really know what you're doing.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...s/default.mspx - Autoruns

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Thank you, Malke! I just checked msconfig, and it turns out there are far
more programs at startup on my new computer than on my old one (24 versus
17). Of course, at this point I don't know what is safe to uncheck. Is there
a list somewhere of what is/isn't needed at startup?

I also have Autoruns on my old computer and just downloaded it to the
notebook. I haven't used it before. What category should I be looking at in
it? (The default seems to be Everything.)

Thank you again!

Jo-Anne

"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:uhmtgpcIJHA.1304@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Jo-Anne wrote:
>
>> This is a trivial problem, but I wonder if there's something I can do to
>> fix it. Ever since I received my new Dell notebook last month (WinXP, SP2
>> then but SP3 now), the Start Windows sound begins OK but then has some
>> hesitations in it toward the end. All the other sounds are normal. I'd be
>> grateful for suggestions.
>
> It just means that lots of stuff is starting up with Windows and perhaps
> something is interfering. Streamline your startup programs/processes and
> see if that helps.
>
> Start>Run>msconfig [enter]
>
> This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab
> and
> find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK
> out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do
> you'll
> get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says
> in
> effect, "don't bother me about this again".
>
> Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes.
> Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services
> unless you really, really know what you're doing.
>
> How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
> http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
> The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...s/default.mspx - Autoruns
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
>

Jo-Anne wrote:

> Thank you, Malke! I just checked msconfig, and it turns out there are far
> more programs at startup on my new computer than on my old one (24 versus
> 17). Of course, at this point I don't know what is safe to uncheck. Is
> there a list somewhere of what is/isn't needed at startup?
>
> I also have Autoruns on my old computer and just downloaded it to the
> notebook. I haven't used it before. What category should I be looking at
> in it? (The default seems to be Everything.)

You can Google the names of the items you find. Here are some other links
with startup information.

http://aumha.org/a/loads.htm - What loads at Startup?
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm
http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm
http://www.liutilities.com/products/...rocesslibrary/
http://www.windowsstartup.com/wso/search.php
http://www.kephyr.com/filedb/index.php?source=bottomlin

As for Autoruns, looking in the Everthing category is fine. Don't disable
anything you don't understand.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:10:04 -0500, Jo-Anne wrote:

> Thank you, Malke! I just checked msconfig, and it turns out there are far
> more programs at startup on my new computer than on my old one (24 versus
> 17). Of course, at this point I don't know what is safe to uncheck. Is there
> a list somewhere of what is/isn't needed at startup?
>
> I also have Autoruns on my old computer and just downloaded it to the
> notebook. I haven't used it before. What category should I be looking at in
> it? (The default seems to be Everything.)
>
Trial and error. Autoruns is very safe to use, any 'uncheck' can easily
reversed ('checked'). Learn how to use Autoruns (info on the download
page), Google for categories prior unchecking an item (righ-click the
service and Google).
Real-time AV/A-S apps. should not be unchecked. There are many software
applications which when downloaded do not need to run at start-up. E.g.
on-demand apps. such as SUPERAntiSpyware Free version, or WordWeb (a
dictionary) etc....

The date and time was 9/28/2008 6:10 PM, and on a whim, Jo-Anne pounded
out on the keyboard:

> Thank you, Malke! I just checked msconfig, and it turns out there are far
> more programs at startup on my new computer than on my old one (24 versus
> 17). Of course, at this point I don't know what is safe to uncheck. Is there
> a list somewhere of what is/isn't needed at startup?
>
> I also have Autoruns on my old computer and just downloaded it to the
> notebook. I haven't used it before. What category should I be looking at in
> it? (The default seems to be Everything.)
>
> Thank you again!
>
> Jo-Anne
>
> "Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
> news:uhmtgpcIJHA.1304@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> Jo-Anne wrote:
>>
>>> This is a trivial problem, but I wonder if there's something I can do to
>>> fix it. Ever since I received my new Dell notebook last month (WinXP, SP2
>>> then but SP3 now), the Start Windows sound begins OK but then has some
>>> hesitations in it toward the end. All the other sounds are normal. I'd be
>>> grateful for suggestions.
>> It just means that lots of stuff is starting up with Windows and perhaps
>> something is interfering. Streamline your startup programs/processes and
>> see if that helps.
>>
>> Start>Run>msconfig [enter]
>>
>> This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab
>> and
>> find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK
>> out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do
>> you'll
>> get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says
>> in
>> effect, "don't bother me about this again".
>>
>> Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes.
>> Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services
>> unless you really, really know what you're doing.
>>
>> How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
>> The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...s/default.mspx - Autoruns
>>
>>
>
>

Hi Jo-Anne,

When using Autoruns, one thing I regularly do is click Options and Hide
Microsoft Entries, then press F5 to refresh the lists. That reduces a
lot of what you see. Most of the items you want to look for are usually
in the HKLM...\Run and C:\Documents...\Startup & HKCU...\Startup.

The other field items you should know what its function is before
disabling it.

It isn't unusual to hear a sound byte break up on login, especially on
machines that have slower hard drives, or not a lot of RAM, or even a
less capable CPU. With all the things that are loading on Windows, I'm
surprised there aren't bigger issues.

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

In addition:

Tip:

Clear Disabled Items from Msconfig Startup and Selective Startup (Line 148)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Or...remove the runkeys from here: Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run

Troubleshooting, Removing and/or Cleaning Add or Remove Programs
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_a.htm#addremove


--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

SupportSpace
www.supportspace.com/pages?aiu=kellyskorner

"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:uhmtgpcIJHA.1304@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Jo-Anne wrote:
>
>> This is a trivial problem, but I wonder if there's something I can do to
>> fix it. Ever since I received my new Dell notebook last month (WinXP, SP2
>> then but SP3 now), the Start Windows sound begins OK but then has some
>> hesitations in it toward the end. All the other sounds are normal. I'd be
>> grateful for suggestions.
>
> It just means that lots of stuff is starting up with Windows and perhaps
> something is interfering. Streamline your startup programs/processes and
> see if that helps.
>
> Start>Run>msconfig [enter]
>
> This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab
> and
> find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK
> out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do
> you'll
> get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says
> in
> effect, "don't bother me about this again".
>
> Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes.
> Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services
> unless you really, really know what you're doing.
>
> How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
> http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
> The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...s/default.mspx - Autoruns
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
>

"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:%23kj6MdiIJHA.4280@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Jo-Anne wrote:
>
>> Thank you, Malke! I just checked msconfig, and it turns out there are far
>> more programs at startup on my new computer than on my old one (24 versus
>> 17). Of course, at this point I don't know what is safe to uncheck. Is
>> there a list somewhere of what is/isn't needed at startup?
>>
>> I also have Autoruns on my old computer and just downloaded it to the
>> notebook. I haven't used it before. What category should I be looking at
>> in it? (The default seems to be Everything.)
>
> You can Google the names of the items you find. Here are some other links
> with startup information.
>
> http://aumha.org/a/loads.htm - What loads at Startup?
> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm
> http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm
> http://www.liutilities.com/products/...rocesslibrary/
> http://www.windowsstartup.com/wso/search.php
> http://www.kephyr.com/filedb/index.php?source=bottomlin
>
> As for Autoruns, looking in the Everthing category is fine. Don't disable
> anything you don't understand.
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Thank you again, Malke. Is there any way I can print the list of the items
in msconfig other than with Print Screen? I'd like to be able to look at the
list as I check each entry against one of the information pages.

Jo-Anne

"Kayman" <kaymanDeleteThis@operamail.com> wrote in message
news:%23CYs1wjIJHA.2580@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:10:04 -0500, Jo-Anne wrote:
>
>> Thank you, Malke! I just checked msconfig, and it turns out there are far
>> more programs at startup on my new computer than on my old one (24 versus
>> 17). Of course, at this point I don't know what is safe to uncheck. Is
>> there
>> a list somewhere of what is/isn't needed at startup?
>>
>> I also have Autoruns on my old computer and just downloaded it to the
>> notebook. I haven't used it before. What category should I be looking at
>> in
>> it? (The default seems to be Everything.)
>>
> Trial and error. Autoruns is very safe to use, any 'uncheck' can easily
> reversed ('checked'). Learn how to use Autoruns (info on the download
> page), Google for categories prior unchecking an item (righ-click the
> service and Google).
> Real-time AV/A-S apps. should not be unchecked. There are many software
> applications which when downloaded do not need to run at start-up. E.g.
> on-demand apps. such as SUPERAntiSpyware Free version, or WordWeb (a
> dictionary) etc....

Thank you, Kayman! I'll look at the Autoruns info, although msconfig is
easier to read (but neither file seems to allow itself to be printed. I'd
really like to just print out the file and be able to check things against
the information lists online.

"Terry R." <F1Com@NOSPAMpobox.com> wrote in message
news:e0C%23FOkIJHA.3932@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> The date and time was 9/28/2008 6:10 PM, and on a whim, Jo-Anne pounded
> out on the keyboard:
>
>> Thank you, Malke! I just checked msconfig, and it turns out there are far
>> more programs at startup on my new computer than on my old one (24 versus
>> 17). Of course, at this point I don't know what is safe to uncheck. Is
>> there a list somewhere of what is/isn't needed at startup?
>>
>> I also have Autoruns on my old computer and just downloaded it to the
>> notebook. I haven't used it before. What category should I be looking at
>> in it? (The default seems to be Everything.)
>>
>> Thank you again!
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>>
>> "Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
>> news:uhmtgpcIJHA.1304@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>> Jo-Anne wrote:
>>>
>>>> This is a trivial problem, but I wonder if there's something I can do
>>>> to
>>>> fix it. Ever since I received my new Dell notebook last month (WinXP,
>>>> SP2
>>>> then but SP3 now), the Start Windows sound begins OK but then has some
>>>> hesitations in it toward the end. All the other sounds are normal. I'd
>>>> be
>>>> grateful for suggestions.
>>> It just means that lots of stuff is starting up with Windows and perhaps
>>> something is interfering. Streamline your startup programs/processes and
>>> see if that helps.
>>>
>>> Start>Run>msconfig [enter]
>>>
>>> This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab
>>> and
>>> find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and
>>> OK
>>> out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do
>>> you'll
>>> get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says
>>> in
>>> effect, "don't bother me about this again".
>>>
>>> Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop
>>> processes.
>>> Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services
>>> unless you really, really know what you're doing.
>>>
>>> How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
>>> The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
>>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...s/default.mspx - Autoruns
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
> Hi Jo-Anne,
>
> When using Autoruns, one thing I regularly do is click Options and Hide
> Microsoft Entries, then press F5 to refresh the lists. That reduces a lot
> of what you see. Most of the items you want to look for are usually in
> the HKLM...\Run and C:\Documents...\Startup & HKCU...\Startup.
>
> The other field items you should know what its function is before
> disabling it.
>
> It isn't unusual to hear a sound byte break up on login, especially on
> machines that have slower hard drives, or not a lot of RAM, or even a less
> capable CPU. With all the things that are loading on Windows, I'm
> surprised there aren't bigger issues.
>
> --
> Terry R.
>
> ***Reply Note***
> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

Thank you, Terry! In theory, my new computer should be less vulnerable to
sound break-up than my old one. It's got a fast hard drive and a lot of RAM.
But of course it also has a lot of programs running at Startup. I'll do what
you suggested with Autoruns. As I've mentioned to the two others who
responded, I'd really like to print out the list of startup programs either
from msconfig or from Autoruns--but there doesn't seem to be any way to do
that. I think with Autoruns you can run the command-line version and
"output" the list in database format. But it would be so much easier to just
print it.

Jo-Anne