[ameneses54]

Dear viewers:
Every time my computer starts I get the message:
windows cannot find C:/program files/ca/etrust pestpatrol/core/ppclean.exe
The problem is that I've uninstalled the program it refers to and iany known leftovers, but still the message appears.
Same message also with \lavasoft\ad-aware6\ad-aware.exe

There must be a reference somewhere which is making a call.

Arturo

 

[~Candy~]

Take them out of the startup list, via start, run, type msconfig and hit enter...go to the startup tab and uncheck them.

 

[ILikeCake]

The first place to check is the Startup folder, go to the Start menu -> Programs -> startup and see if either of them are running in there. The next place to check is the registry, but be careful because you can really hose your computer if you delete/change the wrong values.

If the Startup folder didn't fix it, go to Start -> Run
and type regedit.
Open up my computer if it's not already, and there should be 5 folders below it. Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, then Software, then Microsoft, then Windows, then Current Version, and then click on the Run folder.
If either of those two files appear on the right side you can click on them and delete them.
They could also be in HKEY_CURRENT_USER, the rest of the path (software, microsoft, windows, current version, run) would be the same.

/edit
I should probably mention just in case.. If you have to go into the registry, you should probably do a backup first. Open up regedit, then go to file and choose Export. In the little dialog that comes up make sure Range: All is selected at the bottom, and then name and save the file someplace where you won't forget it in case you need it. The file will be fairly large, the backup might take a few seconds.

 

[ameneses54]

Ok, your advice led me to the possible problem, I found the exact entries in the REGISTRY, but under RUN ONCE, not RUN.
I tried to erase or rename the entries but every time I look again in the same place the entries are there AGAIN.
It looks like I'm not being allowed to edit or erase this key.
Please advice

Arturo

 

[ILikeCake]

Just to make sure we're clear.. Under name in the registry value those files are listed, and you're deleting the entire value and not double clicking on it to delete the data inside it correct? All you're doing is highliting the value name under default and then either right clicking and choosing delete or hitting delete on the keyboard.
It should give a warning about deleting the Key, which you agree to, and then it's gone.. but when you close regedit and reopen it it's back?

If this is the case the only things I could think of would be invalid permission, make sure you're logged in as an admin. I'm not 100% sure how the computer would behave in this case, I've never played with the registry while not logged in as administrator.

The other possibility that I could think of would be a Norton or Symantec Antivirus type program that would automatically be restoring the registry thinking the value was being inccorectly changed. I would suggest logging in as admin if you're not already, and then disabling any antivirus software. Delete the key, then close and reopen regedit. If it reappears, this is beyond me and someone else is going to have to answer. Otherwise, restart, see if the error appears. If not, you might want to check the registry one last time to see if some remnant of those programs lingers and is reinserting the value into the registry.

 

[ameneses54]

I'm logged as administrator and went through delete as you say ( highlighting and pressing delete), but after opening aGAIN regedit the values are there again.
Strange, I tried this with another entry in RUN and the same happens, I can't delete.

Ideas??

Arturo

 

[~Candy~]

Did you check msconfig startup tab?

 

[ameneses54]

Yep, nothing in msconfig startup.
If you read the thread, the code to run the programs are in the REGISTRY in RUN ONCE,
but to someunknown reason I can't delete ANY instruction in the registry.
Evey time I alter or delete an entry in the registry, the next time I open it its back there again???


Arturo

 

[~Candy~]

When you edited the registry, did you save changes?

 

[ameneses54]

Found the problem, there is an anti spyware program I run "Lavasodt Ad-Aware Pro" which has Ad-Watch. This utility by default turn ON a setting which makes editting start up items impossible ( both in registry and msconfig), so I turned the option OFF and everything is Ok

Thanks

 

[~Candy~]

Glad you figured it out, you can mark your thread solved by using the drop down THREAD TOOLS option.