Startup/Login Items

Okay I have a very quick question about my startup/login items (whatever they are called). Under Accounts in system preferences I notice I have three items in the login items. They are Microsoft AU Daemon (I use Office 04), iTunesHelper, and AdobeResourceSynchroni (I have the Design Premium Suite). I want to know what these do and if its safe to get rid of them. If it is how would I do it.

Microsoft AU Daemon
This checks for updates to Microsoft Office.
iTunesHelper
This tool automatically launches iTunes when an iPod is connected, and performs some other functions.
AdobeResourceSynchroni
This checks for updates to installed Adobe software.
(33631)

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Can an AppleScript tell if it was activated by the LogIn Items?

I want to use a single script to act as a StartUp (LogIn) item that does a task automatically and that acts as an app that is clickable with dialog-box options.
So far, I have the script recognize that it's in the StartUp folder or in the loginwindow.plist file, that the other secondary app that the script activates isn't already running, and it checks to see how long the user has been logged in.
I have (do shell script "w") to get minutes logged in. I set my script to run the StartUp portion if the login time is 0 (by way of (if ReadThisSucka contains " --" then). It has worked OK so far, but I'd rather replace it with something more reliable and accurate like this:
if process of login tasks is active
or if thisApp was activated by user "login task doer" then...
*on run*
--Is the other app running?
tell application "Finder"
set OtherAppStatus to (get exists of application process "application2")
end tell
--Is the MagicScript a login item?
set theFileContents to (read file ((path to preferences as text) & "loginwindow.plist"))
--Gets the time logged in
set CurrentDate to (do shell script "w")
--If logged in time is - - then it will act like a startup item
if (CurrentDate contains " - -") then
set BeginUpTime to "1"
else
set BeginUpTime to "0"
end if
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if (theFileContents contains "MagicScript") and (OtherAppStatus is false) and (BeginUpTime is "1") then
do shell script "wow, I'm a shell script"
else
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if OtherAppStatus is false then
display dialog "To run the function of application2, click App2." buttons {"Cancel", "App2"} with icon 1
if button returned of result = "App2" then
do shell script "wow, I'm a shell script"
end if
else
display dialog "To stop the App2, click Stoppit." buttons {"Cancel", "Stoppit"} with icon 1
if button returned of result = "Stoppit" then
--do shell script "killall App2"
tell application "App2" to quit
end if
end if
end if
end run
Message was edited by: Joey Delli Gatti
Message was edited by: Joey Delli Gatti

I realized that I had two viable solutions:
1. Have the script check and see if it is in the LogIn Items and if the login timer (part of the OS) started less than 1 minute ago.
2. Create a second app for the startup script that automatically starts.
I'd be open to a third option, but this works for now.

Wi-Fi Connection Issue at Startup When NAS configured as Login Item

Hi!
I recently ran into internet connection issue during startup. I managed to find the culprit (it's the firewall) but I believe there should be more behind just blaming the firewall for it.
Before I go any further, it would be best if I try to explain the setup that I have. Also, note that I'm a newbie when it comes to terms like DHCP, IP address, IPv4, IPv6, etc. I think I may have an idea what they do, but I'm not quite sure whether that idea jibes with the real thing. Whatever. Anyways, here's the setup.
For the internet connection at my place, I use a Cisco wifi router and an Airport Extreme Base Station. The Cisco router has been set up to have its own wi-fi network, while the Airport Extreme Base Station is connected to the Cisco router using ethernet. I set up a separate wi-fi network for the Airport Extreme Base Station and almost all of my devices are connected using the Airport Extreme's wi-fi network.
I have 3 external hard drives connected to a USB hub, which in turn is connected to the Airport Extreme base station.
2 Macbooks. One is a white, late 2007 MacBook running Lion. The other is a MacBook Pro running Mountain Lion. I turned the firewall on for both Macbooks.
Initially, there was no problem connecting to the internet and also the 3 external hard drives from the Airport Extreme. I did the wireless connecting to the external hard drives manually after startup (open finder > navigate to airport extreme at the sidebar > click on the hard drives one by one until the eject icon and folders are shown). You can imagine how soon this got annoying for me (yeah, I shutdown my macbooks everytime I finish with them, it's a habit). So I put these external hard drives as a login item at startup (in the system preference setting for accounts) so that I won't have to do this everytime I start my macbooks.
This is where it got interesting.
For my MBPro, during startup the wi-fi icon at the menu bar will show that it was trying to connect and then the '!' symbol is shown. When I go to system preference > network, there was a message about self-assigned IP. I notice that it starts with 169, which is not the usual IP assigned to devices in my home network. This, however, usually did not last long. Soon enough the '!' symbol is gone and the wi-fi connection becomes normal with finder windows popping up showing folders for the external drives. It's a minor annoyance, waiting for the '!' symbol to go away (I think it got something to do with DHCP settings sent from the router and the self-assigned IP address, but again I'm not sure), but at least the MBPro can connect in the end.
For my white MB though, things didn't go well. The '!' remains in the wi-fi icon and there was no internet connection, no matter how long I waited. Even after removing the external drives from login items the problem persists during startup. If I remember correctly sometimes there is a pop-up saying that the computer could not connect to the airport extreme server (this also happens on the MBPro).
I initially tried resetting the wi-fi setup (removing the network from the list of known network in system preference > network, removing the wi-fi network password from keychain access) to no avail (in both macbooks). As mentioned above, I also tried to remove the network hard drives from login item but even after that the connection problem persisted in my white Macbook, while the MBPro initially showed the same symptom before finally managing to connect with the proper IP address.
Finally, after googling through forums some people suggested that turning off the firewall might work. I did so, and voila, it did remedy the situation. Both Macbooks manage to connect to the internet during startup without any fuss, and both even manage to connect to the network drives during startup (I put them in again as login items to see if it would cause further trouble).
So, the firewall was the culprit. But it only started acting up AFTER I put the network drives as login items.
Can anyone explain the cause of this?
Anyways, thanks for reading!

Make sure you are using the passkey found on the Homehub and not your email password. You may need to "Forget" the connection on the phone and scan again then enter passkey.

OS X Firefox profiles cache filling up since 18 June, today one of these files appears on desktop at startup and has become login item - what's going on?

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E.g. In /Users/MYNAME/Library/Caches/Firefox/Profiles/4h26zusu.default/Cache/3/A3 there are many small files created over last 2 weeks (similarly in all other cache slots). But this file A013Bd01, which is a small picture, appeared in my login items and, on startup this morning (1 July) was open on the desktop in TextEdit - appearing as gobbledygook text. Why so many cache entries over last two weeks - is this a Fx 5.0 glitch?

How do I stop Adobe Bridge, Excel, Word and Adobe Photo Downloader from loading at startup under Mac OS 10.7.1, they are not loaded in login items.

How do I stop Adobe Bridge, Excel, Word and Adobe Photo Downloader from loading at startup under Mac OS 10.7.1, they are not loaded in login items.

When you shut down this window appears.
Uncheck the reopen box and it should stop this from happening

I upgraded to mountain lion a week ago and now on startup of my macbook pro, microsoft excel and word start up automatically and then crash? very strange can anyone please help? I have checked the login items under users and groups and there is nothing.

I upgraded to mountain lion a week ago and now on startup of my macbook pro, microsoft excel and word start up automatically and then crash? very strange can anyone please help? I have checked the login items under users and groups and there is nothing.

Are you using the Office for Mac 2011 version, as you need to do? The Office for Mac 2004 is Not at all compatible with Mountain Lion, and the 2008 version has been noted to have some problems running with ML.
Hope this helps

All Network Volumes set as Login Items open in Finder on EVERY startup

...after updating to 10.5.8
I have a Mac running on an otherwise all PC network. Before updating to 10.5.8 I had 5 network volumes set to "connect" on startup automatically (System Prefs / Accounts / Login Items). This worked perfectly and connected to these volumes silently without me having to ever worry about it. I didn't even have to check the "Hide" boxes.
After updating to 10.5.8 however, it became completely annoying. Now it still connects to these volumes, but opens up every single one in Finder upon every startup. That's 5 windows I have to close every time I startup my computer. It may not sound like the worst thing in the world, but mind you I have to log out and back in every day for work. Even checking the "Hide" checkboxes don't do anything.
Anybody experiencing the same problem? Anybody know a workaround or fix? My company has a rather large and complex network so staying connected to certain folders that I use is a must. Thanks.
Screenshots:
Login Items - http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Magick0ne/Other/Login_Items.jpg
Every Startup - http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/Magick0ne/Other/Finder_Windows.jpg
Message was edited by: Pifman

Pifman wrote:
Thanks to both of you. I guess the search I ran wasn't good enough as I didn't find the discussion that you posted.
One of the possible workarounds posted there was to use a third-party program that I found difficult to understand and use. Instead I took V.K.'s advice and made an AppleScript and then made that script launch at login. Works like a charm.
Only difference is that my AppleScript isn't located in the Utilities folder (10.5.8), instead I got to it by going to Applications / AppleScript / Script Editor.
sorry, my mistake on the location.
Then I made a script and saved it as an application. I then put that application in my Login Items (System Prefs / Accounts / Login Items).
If you're having trouble finding the mount volume (or server) address, here's how you can find it: If you are currently connected to the volume(s) that you want to use, left-click it and hit Cmd+I (or right-click, Get Info). Use the address next to "Server:" - That's it!
Hopefully Apple will fix this bug soon so people don't have to make AppleScripts just to make the OS work correctly.
I wouldn't bet on it for leopard. leopard development has stopped now after snow leopard has been released. historically, Apple only releases security patches for old OS versions once a new one comes out. Interestingly, this bug is present in snow leopard too! or maybe they don't consider it a bug and this is how it should work. one can make a case for this, I guess.

Ical not in login items but opening at startup

is anyone else experiencing this issue? i got an error message for my sync services and once that was fixed my ical is opening at startup but it's not in my login items. i went into my login items and added it and then removed it trying to trick my machine but it didn't work.
on a side note, all of a sudden a copy of my idisk is showing up on my desktop and it hasn't been there for quite some time.
i wonder if there's an issue with one of my volumes or a database/preference issue?

That is normal in Lion and Mountain Lion. Those systems try to reopen any apps that were open when you shut down. To stop that from happening, simply uncheck the box in the shut down dialog:

Login Items deleted and still opening at startup

I deleted every login Item.
I have five programs opening at startup. Mail, Safari, Dictionary, Word for Mac and Online Bible.
I deleted them from SysPrefs/accounts/login Items.
They still open at startup.
I am trying to switch from FireFox to Safari. If I have FireFox on the computer, even five folders down it opens at startup—all the programs do.
Any suggestions?
Blessings

lightwait,
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
There is one more place that you could look for these items.
Look in the Macintosh HD/Library/StartupItems folder for any sign of those applications. What do you find there?
You mentioned that you placed Firefox 5 folders deep. This is not generally a good idea, especially with Apple Applications. Have you buried any other applications or utilities?
;~)

Applescript "deamon" on system startup or login item

Hello:
I wrote an AppleScript script and saved it as an Applet that needs to run in the background whenever the system is up.
1/ I tried to set it as a startup item, so that it would start running as soon as the Mac is on -- however without success. I did not find out what the proper way is of doing this.
2/ Then I tried to set it as a login item for each user. This is not as good, but I thought it may an alternative, 'buying me some time' to figure out how to do it properly as a system startup item. Launching the app works fine, but the user cannot log off again, because the system cannot seem to quit the script. So I have to stop the process in Activity Monitor, obviously not a solution.
3/ Also, I would prefer the script to not show up in the Dock.
Any help is appreciated, especially on question #1.
Thanks,
HAL

Hello twtwtw:
Thank you for your excellent advice and sorry for my ridiculous late reply.
Your first suggestion works smoothly, adding the "Application is agent" key to the Info.plist file via Xcode hides the app.
Also, I created the launchd launchagent plist file as you suggested and put it into /Library/LaunchAgents. The file name is irrelevant, I presume. The app itself is now in a subdirectory of /Library/StartupItems, which I thought is the appropriate place.
However, the app does not start, when a user logs in, instead I do have a permission problem with the following entry in Console:
Apr 29 19:08:31 My-Conputer com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[114] (...[277]): posix_spawn("/Library/StartupItems/SlowFan/SlowFan.app", ...): Permission denied
Apr 29 19:08:31 My-Computer com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[114] (...[277]): Exited with code: 1
So I have 4 questions:
1/ I do not understand why I am getting the permission error, because "System" has read & write access to the folder as well as on the application. What am I missing? My own user also has the same read & write permission, so if I start it myself, it works fine.
2/ Just out of curiosity, do you know what is the difference between the files in "/Library/LaunchAgents" and "/Library/LaunchDaemons"?
3/ In addition, what I really wanted was to launch the app, when the system starts, even if no user is logged in. Is this possible?
4/ If not, how do I avoid that the app runs multiple times in each user context? I want it to run once only.
As usual, any hint is appreciated!
Thanks,
HAL

How can I stop Preview from opening at startup even though it is not listed in my Login Items?

When I log into one of my user accounts in my MacBook Pro (Mountain Lion), Preview is always open. The preview window itself is not open but the application name is active in the menu bar in the top left hand corner. The Preview item on the taskbar is also lit. Both of these indicate to me that Preview is running. However, I checked my Login Items repeatedly and Preview is not even listed. I also make sure that when logging out, the "Reopen windows when logging out" is unchecked. But Preview still always opens whenever I log into this particular user account -- it does not do it in any of my other user accounts. How can I fix this?

Thanks. I got to the bottom of it by checking Login Items. I had Flux, iTunes Helper, and Dropbox. I removed the first two from Login Items, leaving only Dropbox. However, when I rebooted and logged in, Preview was still open and Flux and iTunes Helper were back in the Login Items. To find out which application is the culprit, I looked under Flux's Preferences settings and disabled it from opening at login. I was intending to do it for every application until I find the culprit, but doing so to Flux solved the problem.

Weird file got added in Login Items after 10.5.8 Update

Hi,
I finally got a chance to apply Leopard 10.5.8 combo update to my MacBook. After the update was done, the system was restarted, and I saw Safari was bouncing at startup. The page Safari opened was one of the help file pages in iTunes with Russian. I immediately opened the System Preferences and check Login Items in Accounts, and I found the a new entry in the list (I don't remember the exact path, but it should be pretty close):
local://Applications/iTunes/contents/resources/ru_proj/help/pgs/15375.html
I was afraid that my machine might be infected by some virus or malware, of course I removed the entry right away, and wipe out the disk and restore my backup.
Has anyone seen this weird problem after applying the combo update? Your help is appreciated.
Thank you,
Don

Thanks for the response!
I am sure I did not put it in there, so why the installer put that page in the list is a mystery then (especially a Russian page, and I don't use iTunes on this machine either). I am still worried if there was a virus on my machine.

Losing some Login Items after upgrading to 10.6.7

I'm pretty sure this wasn't happening until after the 10.6.7 update (I installed the Combo version). When I restart, several (actually most) of my Login Items are gone from my Login item list. I went through the process of restoring them all, and they persisted for a couple of restarts, but now it just happened again. Any ideas? I'm going to trash the plist file and start fresh and see if that helps.

Which startup items? Are they all compatible with 10.6.7? If any are also in the Dock, right click on the application/Options - select "Open at Login."
Message was edited by: CMCSK

Preferences - Accounts - Login Items : rearrange fails, result is removal

This should be considered a bug report, but =i'm rather new to the apple community (user for a year, but only recently trying to help in forums) i am not aware of a legitimate bug-report tool for apple.
as the subject indicates, rearranging items in the Login Items preferences causes them to simply vanish from the list. I have about 8 items launch at startup, and some of them take a while to load (like iCal) and i'd prefer those to load at the END. the only workaround i've found is to remove them all, then add them one at a time in the order i want them to start up. this is clearly a bug.

746/3192
Hi Jared,
You're right, this should rather be considered a bug, as it used to work perfectly well in Panther...
Smart (?) reasons like "this is because of how launchd works" or "sending feedback requires some membership etc..." certainly do not look very "Macish", "user friendly", the way we were used to by Apple's legendary quality.
Here is the place where to send your feedback:
- http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/
(and many users have sent the same comments about login items, since Tiger's launch last May...)
Thank you for helping with your own form!
Axl

When i start my mac all kinds of programs automatically open up but under my login items is nothing

When i start my macbook pro alot of startup programs appear on my home screen even though under my system preferences in login items there is nothing selected

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
If you have OS X Mountain Lion or Lion and you turn off your computer with those applications opened, Mac OS X will open them the next time you start Mac OS X. To avoid this, open  > Shut Down and unmark Restore windows when logging back in

Startup/Login Items

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