>>> I notice that in MSconfig under Services there are several items
>>> (Microsoft) that are checked on the left but say they are stopped on the
>>> right. Without checking each one in Services to see if they are on
>>> Automatic, Manual or Disabled would it be accurate to assume that it
>>> doesn't matter if MSconfig settings and Services "match"? Does either
>>> override the other? I rarely hear of people discussing these 2 programs
>>> together but it looks like they are quite intertwined. And I wonder why
>>> more Services don't show up in MSconfig? And is there a better choice
>>> than Services to control what's running in the background? (Using XP
>>> Pro, SP3 with latest updates.)
>>
>> If a service is disabled it will not appear in msconfig > services tab.
>> Services that are reported as stopped in msconfig may be set as automatic
>> or manual in the Services console. Not all services that are set to
>> automatic or manual are always running, services run when a request is
>> made for them, otherwise they sit quietly listening for the call to run.
>
> I thought that if something is set to automatic it should be running all
> the time. Yet I do remember in Services noting that is not always the
> case. As I check now only 1 is not running: Computer Browser. All
> others set to Automatic have started.
>
>> Again, as I have always stated and stand firm by:
>> One should only use msconfig as a tool for troubleshooting, it should not
>> be used as a permanent tool to disable any application, process and/or
>> service.
>>
>> Once an application, process and/or service has been determined as the
>> possible cause of any issue, that application, process and/or service
>> should be disabled by other means. Ways to disable and/or stop any
>> application, process or service will vary depending on the type of
>> application, process or service.
>
> I see. So I should do everything possible in Services or perhaps a better
> program. What about stuff that doesn't appear in Services? Like many
> installed programs. They often don't appear in Services yet often appear
> in MSconfig's Startup section. If the program is running unnecessarily
> in the background I want to kill it naturally. If there is no option in
> the Preferences/Options of that program from preventing it starting
> automatically when Windows boots up, what should I do besides using
> MSconfig?
>
> And does anybody know of another program that is better than MSconfig?
> Could it be called something like Tweak or Tweakui?

Although there are services that can be disabled you need to be sure that
they can be before doing so. A search on the net using the term "xp
services" will get you a to of hits for pages that explain each service and
if it possibly can be disabled without causing a problem.

As for another way to deal with running process:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb963902.aspx

--

Brian A. Sesko
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375