Copyright: (c) 1995 John Ruzicka 75160.2376@compuserve.com


CONTENTS

Introduction

The problem with putting a program in the Windows Start-Up group is that it always runs.  You may want to run a program half the time, but the other half you may just want to get into Windows quickly.

Start-Up helper makes starting Windows a lot faster.  Instead of automatically loading each file in Start-Up, Start-Up helper lets you create a list of files that should be loaded, then, when Windows starts, asks you whehter or not you want  to run them.

Start-Up helper asks about each program before running any.  That way, if you're going to load a lot of programs at Start-up, you can simply walk away from your Computer for a few minutes to get your coffee while the programs load.

Procedures

Start-Up Helper consists of two programs.  The first, START.EXE, should go into your Accessories group.  This is the utility that actually lets you choose which programs should be run when Windows starts.

The second program, STARRUN.EXE, should replace all the files in your Windows Start-up group.  STARRUN loads the list of files created by START, then asks you whether you want to run them.

Using START to set up Windows Start-Up

Using STARRUN to load your programs at Windows Start-Up

Troubleshooting

About the Author


START.EXE

START.EXE is the program that lets you set up a list of programs to run when Windows starts.  A sample screen looks like this:

The left side of the screen is a list describing the programs that will be run when Windows starts.  The right side of the screen contains the details about those programs.  To add a new program, click on "Add," fill out the information on the right side of the screen, then click "Add" again.  To change information about a program, click the program you want to change in the left column, change the information on the right side of the screen, then click "Change."  NOTE: Changes don't take effect unless you click "Change" or "Add."  To delete an entry from the list, click on it in the list on the left, then click "Delete."

Description

This field contains a description of the program.  This is the description that appears when you start Windows and STARRUN asks you if you want to run the program.  The description is optional.  If you don't type a description, then STARRUN uses the program name when it asks you whether to run the program.

Ask

When the "Ask" box is checked, STARRUN asks you whether you want to run program whose name appears in the "Program" box when Windows starts.  If "Ask" is not checked, then STARRUN automatically runs this program without asking.  This box is checked by default.

Program

This field contains the name, and optionally the path, of the program that will be run when Windows starts.  If you know the name of the .EXE or other program file, you can type it in.  Otherwise, click on the button to the right of the program box and you can choose the program from a list.

Start-Up Directory

This field contains the name of the Start-up directory for your program.  This is usually the same directory that the .EXE file is in but not always.  If you know the name of this directory, you can type it in.  Otherwise, click the button to the right of the "Start-Up Directory" field and you can choose the directory from a list.  Also, START.EXE fills in the directory automatically when you choosethe program name from a list.

Run Style

This box determines how the program appears when Windows runs it.  The default is "Normal," which means that START.EXE lets the program decide how it should appear.  You can also choose Maximized to run the program in full-screen mode, or Minimized to make the program appear as an icon after it loads.t


STARRUN.EXE

The program STARRUN.EXE should be put in your Windows Start-Up directory.  This program reads the list of files created with START.EXE, and, after asking your permission, runs them when Windows starts.

Normally, you should use STARRUN.EXE alone in the Start-Up directory.  Having other files in the Start-Up directory defeats the purpose of this utility, i.e. Windows will run any program in the Start-Up directory regardless of whether  STARRUN is there.

NOTE: If you have not run the START program to set up a list of programs to run when Windows starts, STARRUN will tell you this when you run it.


TROUBLESHOOTING

My program doesn't run properly when STARRUN starts it

The most common cause for this problem is that the Start-Up directory is not set correctly.  The Start-up directory for most programs is the same as the directory where the .EXE or program file is located, but not always.  You can always see a Program's start-up directory by clicking once on it in Program Manager, choosing "<F>ile" and "<P>roperties," then looking under "Working Directory"

My program runs maximized even though I told START to run it normally

Some programs maximize themselves automatically when they start, regardless of what Windows tries to do.

I made changes to an entry in START, but they didn't get saved

You must click on "Change" to save any changes.  Changes are only written to the data file when you click "Exit."  If you click "Cancel," none of the changes you made are saved.  The only exception is that you can press "Cancel" when adding a new entry (though pressing it twice will cancel ALL changes).

Some programs run even though they're not in START

Any programs in your Windows Start-Up group will be run when Windows starts. Also, any files in the WIN.INI after a "load=" line also load automatically.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Start and Startrun are ShareWare products.  If you find them useful and time-saving, please send a $5 registration fee to

John Ruzicka
1290 25th Ave. #301
San Francisco, CA 94122
Internet: 75160.2376@compuserve.com

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