Control panel opens on windows start-up

are you using VISTA?

Check this out:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/startuplite.php

Nope, XP Pro. Its a new machine and should be clean but will run malwarebytes any way
Thanks

In Folder Options>View, is "Restore Previous folder windows at login checked"?

Prolly not the case, but need to start somewhere....

Autoruns for Windows
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

Scan, and go to File>Save, and save it as a .arn file. Please rename it to .txt, and attach it here so we can review..... Like MSConfig on Crack.....

EPIT--johnb6767's idea is good, but possibly simpler
Start|Run|type MSCONFIG|OK|Startup tab.  Do you see an item associated with Control Panel?  Is the box to the left checked?  If so, uncheck|Apply|OK

"I did go to msconfig > startup, but could not find anything that looked / referred to the control panel."

This was in his question, which is why I opted for Autoruns......

Thanks, I did look into Johnbs idea (Folder Options>View, is "Restore Previous folder windows at login checked) this was not checked. This is an interesting one. I have re-imaged the machine and removed the problem. I would still like to understand the cause if anyone knows.
Thanks

EPIT

it could be an error in the registry

An app like Autoruns, shows ALL the startup locations registered with the OS, not just whats limited in MSConfig. Thats what I was hoping to find.......

I'll let you know what I find...Thanks

I have this same issue.  But I will not put Dell Connection manager on the machine, as it is not approved software for our organization.  Does anybody have the real fix for this?

Thanks

Hey Trelleborg,
 We did a clean install minus the Dell extras, then created our Ghost image from that. This corrected the problem, giving us a clean and functional machine. Hope this helps

EPIT

Found this on the Dell support site-
Just bought 4 E6500's (Win XP)with the same issue.
I believe I found the fix. It seems to be caused by the Control Point Connection Manager installed by Dell.
This worked for all 4 of mine:
1. Uninstall Control Point Connection Manager and reboot.
2. Go to Dell support Drivers and Downloads. Download and install the appropriate wirless networking driver for your system.
3. Reboot. The Dell wireless management tool should open on boot. Select the utility and uncheck "Let this tool manage your wireless networks".  
You should be good to go. I don't think Dell has the Control Point application working properly yet.

Nice... good work

EPIT

To resolve without reinstalling the connection manager or wifi drivers, run msconfig and disable anything relating to WLAN in the startup and services tab.

The exact fix for me was to run MSCONFIG and disable the Dell Wireless WLAN Tray Service from the Services tab