Startup problem - starter.exe

Ok, this is really weird. I realized recently that "SB AudioPCI 64D" was running. I think it has been in the system tray for some time now (months), but I never gave it any thought. Basically, it appears to be a replacement for the standard Windows Mixer.

So, I decided that I didn't need this, my sound works just fine, and I don't mind the standard Windows deally. So, to get rid of it from the startup group, I open regedit.exe and go to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

If I'm not mistaken, this is the key with all of the programs that run when Windows starts up. And there I see "starter.exe" (among other things), which happens to be in my Close Program list as well. When I close it, the audio mixer closes....

Logically, by removing that entry in the registry, I should be able to stop it from starting up with Windows. (I have done this many times before with other programs, and it's worked just fine.)

However, next time I turn my computer on, it opens, and the key in the registry appears, despite the fact that I just deleted it.

I would probably be a little paranoid to say that I think this is a virus (as neither Norton nor Macfee detects anything....), but this is still really bothering me!

Any ideas on how to stop this program from appearing when my computer starts (other than deleting it)?

"I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" - Voltaire

The first thing I do to stop a program from loading is to run msconfig.exe
If unclicking a program on the startup tab doesn't get rid of it, I start to
get a little 'virus paranoid' myself.

I think therefore I am... sometimes right. images/icons/wink.gif

Yeah, I tried the MS Config thing to, but all it is (I think) is a user friendly way of editing the registry and core ini files....

Well, as far as I know, there's nothing stopping me from deleting the exe file. But still, I would like to try to resovle this in a "frienly" manner, if I can. http://www.visualbasicforum.com/bbs/images/icons/wink.gif

"I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" - Voltaire

The reason I go there is there might be an entry in the startup directory,
and and entry somewhere in the registry. I can see them all there at the
same time. You might get rid of the registry one and the startup one
just reinstalls the registry one.

Before you delete the file, just rename the .exe to .sav. You never know
when you might want it back.

I think therefore I am... sometimes right. images/icons/wink.gif

There never was one in the startup group (in the Start menu). That's a good idea, renaming to .sav....I'll try that, reboot and see what happens...Thanks

"I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" - Voltaire

Yup, renaming it worked! Thanks

"I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" - Voltaire