god damn stupid fucking microsoft

[Ensign Steve]

Fuckity fuck fuck.

Why can't I uninstall Windows Media Player? I click on the "change/remove" option in "add and remove programs" and all it lets me do is install new components or some shit. Real Player is my default player for everything, why can't WMP just let it go? It sometimes tries to butt its nose in when I'm using realplayer and makes it fuck up. Tells me I'm not connected to the internet when I know I am.

I know I can't mess with IE, so I just deleted all the shortcuts so I wouldn't have to look at them. Well, almost all the shortcuts. I don't know how to edit the items in my "quick start" menu, or whatever the fuck that shit is over by the start button. Any help?

Also, how can I view and change what programs have decided to run themselves upon startup? I remember in the olden days you used to just copy shortcuts into the old "startup" folder, but now that thing is empty, and I still have these self-important programs turning themselves on without asking me first.

kill bill gates
kill bill gates

[beyelzu]

I think you run config or msconfig in order to check what is running at startup.

I forget my comp starts up with it everytime, so I constantly check for new programs that decide to run with out me telling them too.

aim is insidious about that.

as to media player, I dont know, I keep it around although I use zoomplayer almost exclusively for the occassional site that likes mediaplayer.

same reason I keep a link for ie, which is a fucking pile.

[CARLA]

http://www.windowsstartup.com/

Here is a free great piece of software that allows you to delete those programs in your startup. You use to be able to do that, not anymore. You can uncheck them till the cows come home.. but they load up again.

This takes some time to figure out.. but the bottom line is, you really don't need anything to start up automatically... so go from there.. :D

If you have programs already uncheck in your msconfig check them again, be online when you run this program.. hit the consult tab, and away you go.. right click on the programs and it gives you options... then APPLY.. :cool: I have been using this for awhile.. LOVE IT.. GIVES YOU CONTROL OF YOUR MACHINE AGAIN.. :whup:

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS YOU CAN PM ME, OR EMAIL ME AT <e-mail removed> :yup: :wave:

[Ensign Steve]

Carla, you rule! I totally forgot you posted that link earlier, and I said, "I have to check that out!" and then I completely forgot! Thanks again, hon.

[John Carter]

Fuckity fuck fuck.

Why can't I uninstall Windows Media Player? I click on the "change/remove" option in "add and remove programs" and all it lets me do is install new components or some shit. Real Player is my default player for everything, why can't WMP just let it go? It sometimes tries to butt its nose in when I'm using realplayer and makes it fuck up. Tells me I'm not connected to the internet when I know I am.


When you go to the "change/remove" components option, you should see a list of installed components. To remove a component, highlight the appropriate item in the list, then click on the change/remove button.

Caveat: The exact details will vary depending on what version of windows you have.


I know I can't mess with IE, so I just deleted all the shortcuts so I wouldn't have to look at them. Well, almost all the shortcuts. I don't know how to edit the items in my "quick start" menu, or whatever the fuck that shit is over by the start button. Any help?


Do you mean a bunch of icons on the tool bar sitting next to the start button? If so, you should be able to right click on any given icon. This will result in a pop-up menu, which should include a delete option.


Also, how can I view and change what programs have decided to run themselves upon startup? I remember in the olden days you used to just copy shortcuts into the old "startup" folder, but now that thing is empty, and I still have these self-important programs turning themselves on without asking me first.

kill bill gates
kill bill gates

Again, this will depend on which version of winblows you are using. Most (Some versions of win 95 and all versions of win 2000 and NT don't have it, but you can get it online for those versions) version of it have a utility called "msconfig". You won't find it in any of the program menus, however. Try going to Start -> Run and type in "msconfig" in the window that will come up. Then click on the "OK" button. There will be a tab on the top of the next window that comes up labelled "startup". Click on that, and you will see a list of apps with check boxes next to them. Anything you don't want to run automatically, uncheck the box. BE VERY CAREFUL. The names listed will be those of the actual executable files, and those will not necessarily be very informative if you aren't very familiar with the app.

[Ensign Steve]

When you go to the "change/remove" components option, you should see a list of installed components. To remove a component, highlight the appropriate item in the list, then click on the change/remove button.

Caveat: The exact details will vary depending on what version of windows you have.

Yah, that's what I did. When I click the change/remove button, it tries to install new components or completely re-install the program. It gives me no option to remove it. :(


Do you mean a bunch of icons on the tool bar sitting next to the start button? If so, you should be able to right click on any given icon. This will result in a pop-up menu, which should include a delete option.


Wow, that should have been really obvious. Thanks! I was trying to click around the icons, and get some kind of "edit this menu" option. Your idea was better.

Again, this will depend on which version of winblows you are using. Most (Some versions of win 95 and all versions of win 2000 and NT don't have it, but you can get it online for those versions) version of it have a utility called "msconfig". You won't find it in any of the program menus, however. Try going to Start -> Run and type in "msconfig" in the window that will come up. Then click on the "OK" button. There will be a tab on the top of the next window that comes up labelled "startup". Click on that, and you will see a list of apps with check boxes next to them. Anything you don't want to run automatically, uncheck the box. BE VERY CAREFUL. The names listed will be those of the actual executable files, and those will not necessarily be very informative if you aren't very familiar with the app.

Thanks a bunch, Mr. Carter. I feel better already. Now I can start funnelling my hatred in another direction. Possibly toward comcast? heh. Have a good weekend.

[Farren]

One easy way of changing the default player for anything (if its a file on your hard drive - web page content association are changed in browser options/preferences which are different for each browser):

1. Right click the file to get the drop down context menu

2. Select "Open With" -> "Choose Program". A list of registered programs should appear.

3. If the program you want to play it with is not on the list, click the "Browse" or "Other" button (it varies from Windows OS to Windows OS I think. On my 2000 machine it's "Other") and browse your hard drive for the executable. If it is on the list, just highlight it.

4. Before clicking "OK" click the "Always use this program to open these files" (or whatever it says to that effect on other MS OS's) checkbox, to check it.

5. Click "OK". That type of file should always open with your selected program forthwith.

One of the reasons a player might intervene when you've selected another program to play files of that type is that Windows uses file extension to determine file type, but some file types have multiple extensions. So MPEG videos can end in ".MPEG" or ".MPG". Your preferred player might be configured for ".MPG" but another player configured for ".MPEG"

Of course on XP by default your can't see the file extension if the folder option "hide extensions for known file types" is checked. So "StupidHomeVideo.MPEG" and "StupidHomeVideo.MPG" both just display as "StupidHomeVideo" with the associated player icon. But the method I described above will nonetheless work.

BTW, I always switch off "hide extensions for known file types" for this exact reason. I don't like Windows responding differently based on additional information I can't see. You can find the option by opening any folder (like "My Computer"), then selecting "Tools" -> "Options" and clicking the "View" tab to get a list of folder viewing options.

[JoeP]

My fave tool for seeing what's set to startup is Startup Control Panel (http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml) by Mike Lin. He also makes a must-have protection tool called Startup Monitor (http://www.mlin.net/StartupMonitor.shtml) - whenever some proggie inserts anything into the startup locations, it asks you for confirmation.

If you still get unwanted things starting up, it could be allowed programs (inc bits of windows) starting them up after they've begun running. In particular "services" can do this. On XP (and 2000?) you can see auto-start services in Start > Administrative tools > Services.

[Farren]

Joe thanks for the Startup Monitor - its exactly what I need. Rooting things out after the fact is something I do the old fashioned way 'cos I know all the places windows puts startup stuff anyway, but catching it before it gets there is easier.

[JoeP]

One gotcha with the startup control tool is that an actual program file (rather than a shortcut) placed in the startup folder doesn't get detected. I have seen an instance of this happening. I meant to get in touch with the author but :badcon:

[Ensign Steve]

Joe, don't know which program you're referring to, but the program carla pointed us to does detect executable files. :) yay!

[CARLA]

:yup: It sure does.. It works well, it's sweet, simple, and free.. :D

[Farren]

Carla, I wouldn't publish my email address on a public board if I were you. There are spiders that do nothing but follow links, read web-pages and store all email addresses found. Its a dead-cert way to catch unwanted spam.

Rather edit your post and ask anyone to PM, or even just use the board feature that lets other posters click your name and click "Send Carla an Email", which lets them compose and send an email message to you wthout revealing your address. ;)

[Godless Dave]

Speaking of the QuickLaunch bar, you can add your own shortcuts to it or do what I do, add your own launch bars with the shortcuts you want sorted in way that makes sense to you. If you set the preferences to display text + icons, then push the bar all the way to the right or left, you can make handy little menus on your taskbar.