Stop Those Annoying Boot-Up Error Messages I get the same error message every time I boot my computer, but everything seems to work okay after that. What's wrong? Something has changed in your computer, for better or for worse, but the change wasn't complete. The most likely reason is that you removed a program that Windows is still attempting to load. First, grab a pencil and paper and boot your computer. Write down the full text of the error message; the correct path and file names are especially important. Also, make sure that you get the spelling right. Once you're back in Windows, select Start, Search (in XP), Start, Search, For Files or Folders (in 2000 and Me), or Start, Find, Files or Folders (in 98). Enter the error-message text in the "file name" field (the exact name of the field varies from version to version of Windows), select your hard drive in the 'Look in' menu, and click Search or Find Now. If the file appears in the results window, make note of the file's path; you have the option of fixing, rather than deleting, the file's automatic loading tendency. I'll discuss that later. Whether or not the file is still on your hard drive, you should research this mysterious program. If you enter the file name in Google or your favorite Web search engine, you're almost certain to find some useful information about the program that it's associated with. If you don't find anything, there's a very good chance that the file's name was randomly generated (especially if it more closely resembles an eye chart than a word or a name). If that's the case, the troublesome file is almost certainly related to a virus or similar pest. But don't rejoice too much over having figured out that it's part of an uninvited guest; even if the file is no longer there or if you delete it now, a copy could very well still be lurking on your hard drive under another randomly generated name. Make sure your antivirus and anti-spyware programs are up-to-date, and use both programs to scan your hard drive. Whether or not the file is malicious, chances are you're better off not loading it. After all, your computer works fine without it. Either way, you'll still want to stop that error message. To do so, select Start, Run, type msconfig, and then press <Enter>. Click the Startup tab. (Windows 2000 lacks the System Configuration utility, so with this OS you should use Mike Lin's free alternative, Startup Control Panel.) If you see a listing for the error-producing file, delete it. If no such listing appears, try cleaning the Registry. Stand-alone Registry cleaners like Easy Desk Software's RegRepair (free trial, $30 to keep) can do the job with one click; alternatively, you can use Windows' own Registry Editor to fix the glitch. Start by backing up your Registry (for instructions, see "How Do I Restore My Windows Registry?"). With your backup in place, select Start, Run, type regedit, and press <Enter>. In the Registry Editor, press <F3>, enter the file name in the 'Find what' field, and press <Enter>. If you find an entry for the file in the Registry, delete it, unless the path described in the entry points to the same folder as the file that you found during your previous Windows search. In that case, leave the Registry entry alone. If you're using Windows 2000, type regedt32 to open the Registry Editor. To launch the search, select View, Find Key. You will have to search separately in each of the five windows. So what should you do if the problematic program is one that you want to continue to autoload? Your best bet is to follow the instructions above for cleaning the program from your Registry, and then to try reinstalling it. This solution is simpler and surer than trying to fix the existing file. Browse to "Windows Rejuvenated!" to read my instructions for clearing all the cobwebs out of Windows, and visit our System Resources Tune-Up page to see a list of freeware and shareware system utilities, including several that rank among PC World editors' favorite Registry cleaners, uninstallers, and hard-disk scrubbers.