Problem with deleting startup programs

Hello,

On the startup entry page (tools>startup) I have problem deleting an entry. I installed a program some time ago and I had disabled it from starting up with my computer and it doesn't startup which is good. But now the program-column for the particular program is blanked out. So it shows this: Enabled: "No" Key: "Startup Common" Program: (blank) File: C:\PROGRA~1\Palm\Hotsync.exe. When I try to delete it nothing happens; when I try to enable it I get this message: "Failed to enable/disable startup item: The specified path is invalid." I checked the path and I noticed that I don't have progra~1, my program files folder but its name is "program files". I don't want to rename that as it might mess up the rest of my programs I have in that folder. What can I do to remove this item from my startup list? Reinstalling the program doesn't solve this, it just adds another entry showing C:\Program Files\Plam\Hotsync.exe. I attached a picture showing what happens when I try to enable it.

Specs:

MS Windows XP PRO SP3

Intel Pentium Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00 GHz, 2.0GB RAM

NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT

post-47115-0-15060900-1300823984_thumb.jpg

I checked the path and I noticed that I don't have progra~1, my program files folder but its name is "program files"

You are wrong and do not understand - it is the "short name" equivalent in 8.3 format

First launch DOS via

START > RUN > CMD.EXE

Then issue the command

DIR \PR* /X

That displays both short and long file names, on my system I see

18/02/2011  10:02    <DIR>          PROGRA~1     Program Files

The system is right and if you try to rename it the system is unlikely to oblige,

and if you could force it then it may never boot again.

I think your system has been damaged without any involvement by CCleaner,

and CCleaner may therefore be unable to mend what is already broken outside its control.

I do note from your snapshot reference to a RunOnce AOL Removal Tool.

I believe RunOnce is supposed to be a single attempt that auto-self clears on start-up.

and I cannot help thinking that a bit of the tool has got broken off and is jamming up the system.

I remember drilling holes in metal, and then tapping them to fit a screw.

Sometimes the tap would break and the pupil had to clear the fragments from the hole,

and then face the wrath of the teacher when asking for a replacement tool.

If he failed to clear all the fragments the new tool would break and it was detention time.

Hello, thanks for the reply.

I know its an equivalent, I was aware of this from the excessive use of DOS growing up, but why would CCleaner be looking for that folder name specifically when all the others have always looked for the long name? My system isn't damaged and CCleaner is the only program that has that entry, I have other software that shows me the startup lists and none of them have that entry. The RunOnce AOL Removal Tool was done by me on purpose prior to starting this thread and just needed a restart of the PC to finish the removal. That isn't and wasn't a problem...

If anyone else knows of a way to just remove that entry then that would be great, if not then that's okay it's not messing with my system, I'm just being a little OCD as I love using CCleaner.

PS I have no intentions of renaming the folder, I was saying I don't want to rename it in case someone tries to suggest it.

but why would CCleaner be looking for that folder name specifically when all the others have always looked for the long name?

The developers are probably too busy "fighting fires" to answer this one.

I will assure you that when I used CC 2.??? on Windows XP Home I often noticed a large percentage of the targets used "short names",

and no damage was ever done.

I guess that some applications use and are installed via short name paths, and that probably dictates what CC is detecting/deleting.