New Startup List Program

Jeruvy · Private Joined: Jan 01, 2004 Posts: 40 Location: Canada

MSconfig isn't a permanent solution either, so I agree this is a great little utility.

J.

iguanilla · Sergeant Joined: Jan 24, 2004 Posts: 105 Location: Canada

Hi BillC,

Thank you for the link to the new startup list program. It's great!

AUSSIE · Trooper Joined: Mar 18, 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Australia

Hi ok i dont know what it is but when ever i get it to remove (after unchecking it) then press refresh its all still there oopps and yes i did push apply but nothin happened no flickin of srceen or new window just same so it isnt working for me and yes i did do that thing with the net

AUSSIE · Trooper Joined: Mar 18, 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Australia

never mind i whent with a different program thankz anyway

Jeruvy · Private Joined: Jan 01, 2004 Posts: 40 Location: Canada

Well I decided to take a serious look and evaluate this tool. We've now checked it with two different versions (at least we think we did).

Jeruvy's Review of Windows Startup Inspector 2.05 & 2.06
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Pro's:

This tool quickly allows you to look at all area's of your system for files that startup. Was able to determine what most applications are (though as I understand this isn't any credit to WSI's author rather another author is responsible for this). Gives you a clean listing and descriptions

Couple quirks:

1. The windows do not update properly (Refresh on resize doesn't occur)
2. It says it's 2.06b by name of archive, but the tool claims it's 2.05
I've downloaded the 2.06b tool to test but it looks the same.
3. It lacks a proper interface (like a file menu for instance)

Overall usage:

Tool is unresponsive at times without a clear understanding why.

Suggestions:

Should be rewritten in a better language like C or assembly since it is VERY OBVIOUS it is scripted and running very slow (since two proxies are scanning all scripts prior to execution, plus net lookups..)

It should be stated that this is a script driven tool, and may not be very performing as other compiled tools such as those that come free with windows support kits.

I then click on refresh, and it tells me I've changed some applications startup settings when nothing was changed. Very confusing.

I felt uncomfortable changing anything with this tool. Instead I went back to regedit, and my text editor to make changes since this doesn't seem to be very clear about what it's doing or what I'm doing with it, and I don't want any indecent surprises.

Evaluation:

1: Ease of availability: 6/10 - Versions do not seem to be clear or checked adequately by RCS. May be other code issues if multiple developers working on project.
2: Ease of Installation: 8/10 - Slow for what little there is, and doesn't enhance performance in any way. Installs flawlessly.
3: Ease of learning : 3/10 - Documentation lacks clarity, and the interface doesn't behave like a windows application confusing users and allowing them to get lost and forget what they were doing. Lack of decent lookup for unknown applications. Could not test on hijacked system (go figure) to see if it noticed evil software.
4: Ease of use : 5/10 - Neutral since some functions are not clear, nor does it offer a consistant windows interface everyone understands, but it doesn't over clutter, and presents a clear clean window for quickly grasping what you are seeing.
5: Does as directed : 8/10 - It detected all our tools, but wasn't aware of tools 8 years old. Required we fiddle with the windows to be able to see everything effectively.

Total score 30/50

Ranking:

This gives us a overall score of 6 out of 10.
My ranking of 6 means this:

6: Needs work or improvment. Software has potential but is currently only worth of beta status and should not be used in production or serious environment.

Afterword:

Given the tools ability, this won't be missed by any serious troubleshooter, as they are going to be comfortable using regedit and other tools to accomplish the same thing. Advanced users are going to know what the executables are in their startup and quickly be able to look up the few that may require more info.

If the performance and GUI get fixed, then this could be a time saver, but for now I think any serious troubleshooter will look for more responsive tools.

J.
j e r u v y a t s h a w d o t c a


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