HP PCs - Using Microsoft System Configuration (Windows 7)

  caution:

Use the following steps to prevent all startup items from opening, including antivirus software and other software that provides important functions. Follow these steps for troubleshooting purposes only. If preventing all startup items from loading resolves the problem, you can use the Startup tab ( see following section) to prevent an individual software item from loading.

1. Click Start, and then type msconfig into the Search box. Click msconfig.
   If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
   Figure : Opening the System Configuration tool

   
   The System Configuration tool displays.
2. Click the General tab.
3. Select Selective startup, and then remove the checkmark next to Load startup items.
   Figure : General tab

   
4. Click the Services tab.
5. Select Hide all Microsoft services, and then click the Disable all button.
   Figure : Services tab

   
6. Click OK.
7. Restart the computer for the changes to take effect.
8. If you find the problem no longer occurs after you prevent all software from loading, you can use the startup tab to try and find the exact software title that is causing the problem. Select all but one title from the startup tab and restart. Continue doing this, deselecting software and restarting each time until the problem no longer occurs. Uninstall or prevent software from loading that cause problems.
9. When you have finished using the System Configuration tool, open it again and select Normal startup. Click OK.
   Figure : General tab Normal startup

   

• Normal startup - instructs Windows to open all software applications that are normally scheduled to start with Windows.
• Diagnostic startup - starts Windows with basic services and drivers only. With this mode, you can determine if a basic Window file is the problem.
• Selective startup - allows you to choose which programs and services you want to open, and which you want to keep from opening at startup tab.
  Figure : General tab

  

• Safe boot: Minimal - Disables networking. Boots to the Windows user interface (Explorer) in safe mode, running critical system services only.
• Safe boot: Alternate shell - Disables networking. Boots to the command prompt in safe mode, running critical system services only.
• Safe boot: Active Directory repair - Similar to minimal safe boot, except the Active Directory is enabled.
• Safe boot: Network - Similar to a minimal safe boot, except the network is enabled.
• No GUI boot - The Windows splash screen is disabled when booting
• Boot log - Stores all information from the boot process in a file.
• Base video - Boots to Windows user interface in minimal VGA mode.
• OS boot information - Shows each driver name as each driver is loaded during the boot process.
• Make all boot settings permanent - Changes made in System Configuration are not tracked. If you want to make changes later, you will have to do so manually. Selecting Normal startup in the General tab will not work if this feature is selected.
• Timeout field - Using Msconfig can cause the operating system selection screen to display for thirty seconds; as a result, thirty seconds is added to the overall startup time. To prevent the operating selection screen from appearing for thirty seconds on startup, change the timeout line in the Timeout field to zero.
  Figure : Boot tab

  

note:

This list is not comprehensive. For a more thorough list of software tasks, refer to Preventing Programs from Opening When Windows Starts.

• HD Audio Control Panel
• HP KBD EXE
• hp digital imaging - hp all-in-one series
• HPRun
• hpsysdrv
• HP Total Care Advisor
• Microsoft Windows Operating System
• NVIDIA products
• Symantec Technologies products

• Anti-virus software - Disable Anti-virus software only when troubleshooting. Make sure to enable the Anti-virus software when finished troubleshooting.
• Keyboard managers - Disable to prevent the extended multimedia keys and volume control knob from working.
• Systems tray icons - Disable to prevent a software application tray icon from displaying on the systems tray (next to the time).