XP startup file removal with DOS?

[baba]

So my buddy is a contractor and during a store remodel scored some wall hanging monitor like PC's that run XP. On boot up they automatically go into this product program. I ripped it open, found a keyboard port, F8 into DOS, and looked in the Startup dir under all users. No files there. Where else can I check? Ultimately I'm just trying to get it to boot into XP on startup.

Also, it says Windows Embedded when I shut down if that helps.

[mid_life_crisis]

If Windows is running behind the product program, try running msconfig. <ctrl>+<alt>+<del> and select "Task Manager" and at the bottom of the Application tab click on "New Task" and type in msconfig.

[baba]

Great idea, thanks! Never knew there was a new task button there. Now I just need to figure out what to uncheck. There are a couple Bluetooth ones so I'll start there...

[Selta]

Check:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run

and/or:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Run

[mid_life_crisis]

Are there any USB ports?
If so, you could always go into the BIOS and set it to boot from USB and run off a Flash Drive copy of Windows if you can't get it to work the normal way.

[mid_life_crisis]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Check:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run

and/or:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Run

To the OP, I don't know your technical level. Just in case, go to the same place I sent you, but type in "Regedit" to check these registry keys.

[baba]

Here's whats in the startup tab. Any suggestions?

rundll32.exe says it's a bluetooth authentication agent
tp4mon.exe
XrxFTPLt.exe in a Xerox folder...ftp client?
IMJPMIG.exe /Spoil /RemAdvDef /Migration32
four system32 exe files....assume I need these
RTHDCPL.exe
ALCMTR.exe
Boot_KWK.lnk SUSPECT?!
TBSystry.exe and aidaemon.exe in program files UPDD directory
jusched.exe in a java directory
WinVNC.exe servicehelper in a UltraVNC directory
BTTray.exe in bluetooth directory...assume this is just a tray icon

[baba]

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

To the OP, I don't know your technical level. Just in case, go to the same place I sent you, but type in "Regedit" to check these registry keys.

EDIT: Ok, the current user folder only shows ctfmon.exe. The local machine folder shows what the msconfig startup tab showed.

[baba]

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

Are there any USB ports?
If so, you could always go into the BIOS and set it to boot from USB and run off a Flash Drive copy of Windows if you can't get it to work the normal way.

Yes there are, and I know they are functional because one had a bluetooth device plugged in it. Also had a Verizon Wireless modem but no luck on an active subscription.

[Selta]

Originally Posted by baba

Here's whats in the startup tab. Any suggestions?

rundll32.exe says it's a bluetooth authentication agent
tp4mon.exe
XrxFTPLt.exe in a Xerox folder...ftp client?
IMJPMIG.exe /Spoil /RemAdvDef /Migration32
four system32 exe files....assume I need these
RTHDCPL.exe
ALCMTR.exe
Boot_KWK.lnk SUSPECT?!
TBSystry.exe and aidaemon.exe in program files UPDD directory
jusched.exe in a java directory
WinVNC.exe servicehelper in a UltraVNC directory
BTTray.exe in bluetooth directory...assume this is just a tray icon

All the bolded ones are where I'd start.

[baba]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

All the bolded ones are where I'd start.

Killed all of these and see no difference.

The odd thing is when I kill the running program in task manager, I just end up with an Air Jordan background, but no windows tool bar at the bottom or anything. I think I'm out of my league with this toy.

[mid_life_crisis]

Originally Posted by baba

Killed all of these and see no difference.

The odd thing is when I kill the running program in task manager, I just end up with an Air Jordan background, but no windows tool bar at the bottom or anything. I think I'm out of my league with this toy.

If you go online and google "flashdrive OS" you'll find lots of interesting stuff about making a bootable flashdrive. If you have access to a CD copy of XP it might be worth trying.

[baba]

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

If you go online and google "flashdrive OS" you'll find lots of interesting stuff about making a bootable flashdrive. If you have access to a CD copy of XP it might be worth trying.

Thanks, I'll go that route. I think this Windows Embedded thing is maybe not a fully functioning GUI since I never see any icons, start menu, or toolbars when I close out the evil program.

Any DOS command or way to tell what's under the hood of this thing?

[mid_life_crisis]

Originally Posted by baba

Thanks, I'll go that route. I think this Windows Embedded thing is maybe not a fully functioning GUI since I never see any icons, start menu, or toolbars when I close out the evil program.

Any DOS command or way to tell what's under the hood of this thing?

Go back to that "New Task" and type in "dxdiag".

[baba]

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

Go back to that "New Task" and type in "dxdiag".

perfect, thanks.

[Selta]

Windows Embedded is Windows XP Pro.
Do you see explorer.exe running in task manager? If not, start it, that's why you don't see icons/start menu etc.