Hi. You know how when you go to Start/ Run/ and type in "msconfig", which brings up the Windows's System Configuration Utility? And then the "Startup" tab? Well, I do this every once-in-a-while to check what's running in the background on my computer; I like to keep it to a minimum, and also to see which program has snuck something in there even though I'll choose a "custom" installation of the programs which offer it when I install either a "goofy" game, "serious" piece of software, various programs, etc. I just HATE it when they stick something in there which I did not give permission for!!! Anyway...... When looking at the Startup tab in the Sys. Config. Utility, on the left-hand side there will be "check" boxes with the name of the Startup Item/ program next to it, in the middle is the "Command", and then on the right is the "Location". When I find something I don't want, I know I could just "uncheck" the box, but I prefer to use HijackThis to remove the program from the Startup List. But tell me if what I've found could be something of a concern..... To give you a couple of "for instances" of what's in there at Startup, I have "zlclient" for my ZoneAlarm anti-virus/ anti-spy ware, and there's also "ATIDtct" for my ATI All-In-Wonder video/ graphics card. But tell me: What does it mean when you see a "check box" on the left-hand side with the green check in it, but, there's NO NAME for it under the "Startup Item" (it's blank), and also there's no name/ a blank under "Command"? There IS a description for "Location", but all of that can't be read and the Sys. Config. Utility window cannot be expanded; what I CAN SEE of the location is this: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVer... So.....does anybody know what it means when you can see a check box with the green check in it but no Item name and no Command? Could this be some sneaky virus or piece of spyware? Nothings showing up in a ZoneAlarm anti-virus/ anti-spyware scan, but then, no piece of software is infallible; sometimes it misses things. Thanks for any help or ideas. Pez

There is no security in any MS product. Consider a clean install of xp. Use best practices to reduce chances of this again. Stop installing junk or consider an application such as sandboxie. I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you goober.

"There IS a description for "Location", but all of that can't be read and the Sys. Config. Utility window cannot be expanded" The Window can't be made full screen but the column heading can be expanded to reveal the full location. Just put the mouse pointer in the heading box for 'location' & move it to the right until it changes into a doubled-headed arrow...then just double click. Now check the location of the blank 'startup item'

The rest of that line is probably: sion\Run Check that entry in the Registry and see what's starting up when Windows boots. Then, delete the entries you don't want/need. Life's more painless for the brainless.

Could it be that using hijackthis to delete entrys in MSconfig is causing this? Seems to me you'd want to disable the item with the check mark in case removal causes problems later on. How wil you restore it? There is nothing to learn from someone who already agrees with you.

Park hijackthis for removing entries from the startup file. It is like trying to use a cannon to rid yourself of a fly. Look Here for a cleanup utility that will remove all unused or unnecessary items from the msconfig list. This utility is tailor made for those people that like to keep the startup list neat and clean. As far as entries appearing in Msconfig file, you should be aware that every time you install a piece of software, it will cosider itself important enough to add itself to your startup file with or without your consent. One of those things you have to get used to.

There seems to be a bug in msconfig. If the default entry has been set with a null value, msconfig displays it with nothing under Startup Item or Command. Check this by going to regedit and navigating to the key shown for location -- it will usually be one of these: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run The very first item should be as follows: (Default) REG_SZ (value not set) If the data is blank instead of (value not set), msconfig will display this. As it is blank, there is nothing to display for name or command. I don't know how this gets changed, could be it's a registry tool; if some malware set something in this value, and the tool sets it to blank instead of deleting it that would do it To fix this is real simple, but as it requires editing the registry, all the usual warnings apply -- if you mess it up, don't blame me ;-) Simply right click on (default) and click delete -- regedit will put it back in with (value not set) Next time msconfig is run, the blank entry should be gone. HTH