Why are services set to "automatic" not starting when I boot up Windows XP?

I have a fresh install of Windows XP.

My problem is that every time I start it up, I have to go into Administrative Tools and start the needed services, such as DCOM, RTP, DHCP, etc. The only services that start automatically are:

plug and play
remote procedure
server
windows audio
workstation

All of the rest have to be started manually, in spite of the fact that they're listed as automatic startup. Why won't they start on their own, like they should?

Mala

Posted 2010-03-09T19:20:06.197

Reputation: 5 998

What do the system and application event logs show? Any errors relating to those services starting? – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 – 2010-03-09T19:48:36.020

those services are among the services which do not start. – Mala – 2010-03-09T20:16:41.073

Have you tried safe mode? (The Event log service and a few others should auto start in safe mode as well). Perhaps try system restore to go back to JUST after the XP install was finished and see how they act? – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 – 2010-03-09T21:28:07.113

Answers

I figured out what the issue was: Windows had not installed correctly, for one reason or another. While the OS booted and worked for the most part, a lot of things (msconfig itself, for example) were quite simply missing. A reinstall of Windows fixed the problem.

Thanks for your suggestions!

Mala

Posted 2010-03-09T19:20:06.197

Reputation: 5 998

I'd check the Log On as account within each service. Are the services that are starting correctly using the same account as the ones that aren't?

PaulWaldman

Posted 2010-03-09T19:20:06.197

Reputation: 716

i'm not sure, i'll have to check... but these services start if i start them from the Services window in Administrative Tools. In any case, I'll get back to you – Mala – 2010-03-09T20:17:28.530

There is no discernible difference - mostly they're all using the system account, and some of those start automatically, but most of them don't – Mala – 2010-03-09T20:49:00.577

If you run msconfig, you can setup the proper services that you need on startup. You should check and make sure that they are enabled there.

You can also run services.msc to get to your services menu, but it sounds like you've already checked that judging by how you say that they're set to automatic.

Sakamoto Kazuma

Posted 2010-03-09T19:20:06.197

Reputation: 833

make sure the msconfig setting check in "Service" tab & StartUP Tab

user30684

Posted 2010-03-09T19:20:06.197

Reputation: 11