AIM - Win7 Problem

[Boris]

The machine is a Dell 1420 laptop, running Windows 7 Home Premium. I
also run Instant Messenger v 5.1.3036 (I like this 2002 version and run
it on all my machines).

I have it set to start up and auto log on when Windows starts. It used
to work just fine, but lately, it doesn't appear on the desktop. If I go
into Task Manager, Processes, I see that it is running, but if I go to
Task Manager, Applications, it doesn't appear.

If I end process, I can then click on the AOL IM shortcut icon, and it
will appear and work normally. If I change the preferences to not start
up when Windows starts, I can then click on the AOL IM shortcut icon, and
it will appear and work normally. It seems that setting it to auto log
on when Windows starts causes this problem (appears in processes, but not
in applications tab of Task Manager.

Any ideas?

TIA

 

[SC Tom]

If this is a service, try setting it at Automatic (Delayed Start) and see if that helps. If it's not a service, or
delaying it in Services doesn't help, then you can use a program called Startup Delayer
http://www.r2.com.au/page/products/show/startdelay . It works well for programs that you'd like to have start with
Windows, but require an internet connection for login, or that require another program to be started first before it can
fully start. And it's free for home use.

 

[Boris]

The machine is a Dell 1420 laptop, running Windows 7 Home Premium. I
also run Instant Messenger v 5.1.3036 (I like this 2002 version and
run it on all my machines).

I have it set to start up and auto log on when Windows starts. It
used to work just fine, but lately, it doesn't appear on the desktop.
If I go into Task Manager, Processes, I see that it is running, but if
I go to Task Manager, Applications, it doesn't appear.

If I end process, I can then click on the AOL IM shortcut icon, and it
will appear and work normally. If I change the preferences to not
start up when Windows starts, I can then click on the AOL IM shortcut
icon, and it will appear and work normally. It seems that setting it
to auto log on when Windows starts causes this problem (appears in
processes, but not in applications tab of Task Manager.

Any ideas?

TIA

Solved, so far. For the laptop, since it goes 'online' via my LAN (D-
Link 524 wireless router), and it's not directly connected to a modem, I
changed preferences from MODEM to LAN.

My XP laptops don't require this setting.