How To Use MS Config Tutorial (And Other Computer Help)

[Jack 1000]

Hey All,

One of the computer gurus whom I respect is Patrick Crispen who teaches computer science and technology courses, offers computer support and assistance in the areas of computer training.  He has an excellent tutorial on how to use Microsoft's built-in Start Up utility called MS Config.  It shows you how to safely remove the programs that you don't need at start-up to make your system boot faster, and crash less.

The tutorial can be found here.  Make sure you select your correct Operating System. (Help is available for all of them as early as Windows 98 to as recent as Windows 7.)

http://www.netsquirrel.com/msconfig/index.html

Patrick also provides something called the "Weekly Fab Five" or the 5 things that users can do as guidelines to improve the performances of their computer.  While I think his weekly defraging is over-kill, and I had my own hellish nightmares with all Firefox versions above 3.5, forcing me to revert back to IE 8, A lot of what he says makes sense otherwise.

Not that these things are cast in stone.  You always have to analyze how your computer system behaves based on the environments in which it is used, the people who use it, and the maintenance plan that works for you.  Virus Definitions MUST be kept up to date and set on automatic each day, NOT just once a week! 

The point is to get user into a weekly, bimonthly, or monthly program of knowing how to maintain their computer because so many people don't do it at all!

Note that the article was published back in 2005, but much of it still applies today.  Here is Patrick's computer Maintenance steps:

http://www.netsquirrel.com/fabfive/index.html

Jack

[Pondus]

It shows you how to safely remove the programs that you don't need at start-up to make your system boot faster, and crash less.

you can do that with a small program called "StartupLite"  http://malwarebytes.org/startuplite.php

[bob3160]

MS Config is usually the last place to mess with. IMHO
There are many safe utilities that will do most of the things you want to accomplish
with out having to touch MS Config.

[YoKenny]

Be very carefull with msconfig!

Read what Blackviper has to say about it

Why can't I use msconfig to change my services in Windows XP?

The reason is because with msconfig and Hardware Profiles, you can disable services that may be vital to boot your system. With the management console (services.msc) you cannot. Also, msconfig, while unchecking the box, is disabling the service.

The “Disable All” button also scares me. It should not even be there as no reason exists to justify disabling “everything.”

Not “allowing” people to use msconfig reduces the flames and technical support questions in my inbox from people that fail to read the descriptions I offer with each service and the warnings I attach to them. ..

http://www.blackviper.com/2002/09/24/why-cant-i-use-msconfig-to-change-my-services-in-windows-xp

[Jack 1000]

Oh yea,

With MSCONFIG, you have to know what you are doing, as the tutorial points out very well.  If you see something and you don't know what it is, LEAVE IT ON!  I had some good training about MSCONFIG, so I know what's OK to turn off.  That is exactly right, if you don't know what something does, leave it on.

It does help, but you absolutely only want to disable (uncheck) the stuff that you know you don't need at start up.  Like Adobe Reader, or Real Player.  There is no reason why the "Disable All" should be in there.  Follow Patrick's instructions exactly, and if you are not sure about a start up item, leave it alone.

I have not used the other utilities mentioned above, so I cannot comment on those.

If you do make changes, don't panic on reboot if you get the message, "You have made changes to the way Windows Starts using the MSC Utility."  Just check the box that says, "Don't Show This Message When Windows Starts."

Jack

[bob3160]

With MSCONFIG, you have to know what you are doing

That's precisely why most of us recommend not using it. 

[YoKenny]

With MSCONFIG, you have to know what you are doing

That's precisely why most of us recommend not using it. 

Jack is not exactly of Albert Einstein caliber but more of the 3 Stooges.

[Jack 1000]

With MSCONFIG, you have to know what you are doing

That's precisely why most of us recommend not using it. 

Jack is not exactly of Albert Einstein caliber but more of the 3 Stooges.

Well, I hope not that bad!!!! hehehehehehe!!!!  Talk about a polarized comparison!  MS Config's usage is what I was taught by about 5 instructors of computer training and how (when properly used) it can speed up your system.  I tried it, and it worked.  So, if computer experts trained me wrong, blame them.

Jack

[YoKenny]

Well, I hope not that bad!!!! hehehehehehe!!!!  Talk about a polarized comparison!  MS Config's usage is what I was taught by about 5 instructors of computer training and how (when properly used) it can speed up your system.  I tried it, and it worked.  So, if computer experts trained me wrong, blame them.

Have you not leared that there is a sucker born every minute. 

[essexboy]

With regards to disable all.  I actually use that to determine which drivers are causing a slow down or crash on start.... But, and here is the big proviso before you do that you must hide all MS services.  This then gets you into a clean boot state - not for the faint hearted though 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

[Jack 1000]

Well, I hope not that bad!!!! hehehehehehe!!!!  Talk about a polarized comparison!  MS Config's usage is what I was taught by about 5 instructors of computer training and how (when properly used) it can speed up your system.  I tried it, and it worked.  So, if computer experts trained me wrong, blame them.

Have you not learned that there is a sucker born every minute. 

Of course there is a sucker born every minute.  That's why I always search and investigate information from multiple sources to check a reasonable degree of knowledge and competence.  Everything computer related that I have learned comes from a composite of several trusted people, (my ten years of training, the great people on forums like this, industry people and personal experiences.)  It is all a composite.

Jack

[timcan]

off topic

Jack 1000 has reached evangelist status.   

[bob3160]

off topic

Jack 1000 has reached evangelist status.   

Then hopefully he'll think before giving guru advice to average computer users.

[YoKenny]

off topic

Jack 1000 has reached evangelist status.   

Then hopefully he'll think before giving guru advice to average computer users.

+1