Hi Craig,  Nothing makes me madder that a software company that thinks
they know, better that I, what I want on my computer.  Hence, my
attempt to help you with your RealPlayer problem.

First of all, (I am using Windows 98) use "Find", "Files or Folders"
at the "Start" menu to locate a file called "msconfig.exe".  In my
computer it's located in the C:\Windows\System folder.

Open the "Run" window in the Start menu and type in the path and the
file name. (for example, I enter

  C:\Windows\System\msconfig.exe  ) and click on OK.

At the opening screen you should be in the "General" tab.  First
thing, go down to the bottom-left corner and click on "Create Backup"
(no explanation necessary :-)  ).  Then at the top-right click on
"Startup".

In the window there's a column of 'checks', a column of Names and a
column that explains each item in more detail.  Scroll down looking for
the "RealTray" entry and uncheck it.  Continue to scroll down to the
end, looking for any more identical entries (I found the same thing in
two places on my computer).

Then you just click on OK and you will get a pop-up that asks if you
want to restart your computer.  You can answer that however you please
at the moment, however the change won't take effect until you restart
your computer.

RealPlayer will no longer be loaded automatically each time you boot up.
One more "however".  If your intentionally run RealPlayer again in the
future, it will put that line back in your startup file and you will have
to repeat the above process to remove it.

I hope this helps.  If it doesn't solve the problem, there is a "Part
Two" to this email which will follow shortly (as soon as I test it to
be sure I'm telling you right).

Dave Hall - Dave Hall's Keyboard Service
Platte City, MO