W2K - Programs don't auto start at system startup

[cdplayer]

At one point all of the programs I selected to startup at boot time, started up. For some reason there are several programs that don't start at boot time anymore. I have to start them manually.

I thought spyware or a Trojan may be at the root of the problem. So I ran all of the programs below in safe mode. Spy Sweeper came up with one item classed as spyware. Ad Aware can up with it's negligible items in both cases items in question were quarantined and deleted. The machine that is having the problem is running Windows 2000, totally updated. here is the list of anti-spyware software:

Ad-ware SE
Spy Sweeper
Window Washer
Spydefense
Spyware Doctor
TrojanHunter
Spybot
Outpost Spyware Scanner
Window Washer

By the way, the software packages listed above are the ones that will not start at boot time. Once the machine starts I have to manually start each and every one of them. I know for a fact that I selected the option to start these programs when the computer does. They used to start when the machine was turned on. But for the life of me I don't have a clue as to what caused them to stop starting up automatically.

Oh I just remembered that once those items in question were deleted I rebooted my computer and the problem still exists.

Any comments and or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

System specs:
Windows 2000 SP4
1GB of memory
AMD 64 3200+

[glc]

Why on earth do you want all that stuff running in the background? Totally unnecessary. All you need is a real-time antivirus and a firewall in the startup.

[cdplayer]

Originally Posted by glc Why on earth do you want all that stuff running in the background? Totally unnecessary. All you need is a real-time antivirus and a firewall in the startup.

Hey glc!

I remember reading somewhere that one should have at least two anti-spyware software packages running. I should look at each anti-spyware package as layers of protection... OK, ok maybe I have gone a little over board.

Currently the only system protection software packages that do startup at boot time are Ad-Aware, Outpost and AVG. The others are dead until I resurrect them.

Still I think that if I request certain programs to start at boot time then they should start.
OK, OK at least Window Washer and Spy Sweeper.....

[glc]

You are too paranoid. Use all those things as manual scanners. All I have running here is AVG, Zone Alarm, and Spyware Blaster. I use Crap Cleaner, Spybot S&D, and Ad-Aware as strictly manual scanners.

[bluesclues123]

It is your $.

It is your computer.

Per studies reported in PC World & PC Magazine, 2005, Spybot & Ad-Aware found only about 50% of malware. Spy Sweeper is now up to 90%.

CCleaner & Cleanup4 do a good job. I have no experience with WW.

SpywareBlaster & SpywareGuard, available, free for personal use at www.javacoolsoftware.com are useful.

You can also reduce your risks by altering your HOSTS files.
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
Download hosts.zip to C:\utilities [ You will create "utilites" before downloading ]. Unzip the file.
Open "hosts" using notepad or wordpad to see the sites that will not be accessed.
Close all browsers.
Go to C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc
rename "hosts" to "original_hosts"
Copy C:\utilities\hosts\hosts to C:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc
winnt could be something else, like "windows". On my 2000 SP4 system, it is winnt

Check http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm every few weeks to monthly. The authors add more sites.

BC123

[cdplayer]

Thanks glc & bluesclues123!
Maybe I am too paranoid glc! Point well taken!

Bluesclues123,
I followed your suggestions about the hosts file. Currently, it is clean.
I guess it's time for me to let go some of the armor and just lighten up!

Thanks again!

[glc]

Lighten up, but don't lose common sense! The best method of malware prevention is personal awareness.

[cdplayer]

Originally Posted by glc Lighten up, but don't lose common sense! The best method of malware prevention is personal awareness.

Thanks glc!

I can do that!

Cheers!