Multiple entries in msconfig Startup Tab

you can get norton utiliteis, that should fix the problem.
multiple entries can come from a varitey if reasons
multiple installs, file corruption etc.

if they are unchecked they will be located in the registry
keys like crash has stated,but there will be a "-" after the key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices-

Just delete the duplicates that are listed under these keys.

This happens after multiple installs without removing the former versions.  The ONLY thing you can install on top of old versions is Windows itself.

The cleanup process is messy, stressful, and risky, but it can be done.  Suggest writing a PLAN of what you intend to do.

If you have a way to back up the entire hard drive, do it.

If the culprit program has a built-in UNINSTALL, run it.

Go to Control Panel ADD/REMOVE Programs and remove the bad program installation(s).

If you are using Norton or something similar, look for any features it has to uninstall stuff, and do it.

Using REGEDIT create a backup copy of the Registry.  Then use the REGEDIT edit find feature to locate and delete everything that MSCONFIG showed as duplicate.

There may be common names, such as "SYMANTEC" or "NORTON" if it is a Symantec product that you are trying to clean up.  Get rid of all those common file references, also.

Now, use the FIND command and look for other related files, directories, whatever and get rid of them, too, but only if they are NOT shared by other systems.

Review AUTOEXEC.BAT, especially the first entry.  Clean that up, too.

Reinstall.

MSCONFIG should now show only one copy.

This does not always happen from multiple installs.The problem is in the way msconfig was written as well as the way individual pieces of software are written.

For example if the item in msconfig is located in the registry under:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
then unchecking it will cause msconfig to move this entry to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run-

Now if you run the program again,chances are that the program will check for the entry in the run key,and when it does not find it it will be re-added by the program.
Now if you go back to msconfig it will have the entry 2X.
One will be checked and the other will not.If you uncheck the checked item,msconfig will move it to the "run-" key without checking to see if it already exists(hence the duplicate unchecked entries).

Also check the RunServices-.

Also, if the item in msconfig is located in the startup folder,msconfig will create a new folder to move the entry(shortcut) to.I believe it is in the Programs menu under "Disabled startup Items"

If the item in msconfig is located in the win.ini file,then msconfig will change the "run=" line to "norun="

Any of these entries can be removed to remove the duplicates from msconfig.

It always amazes me that when I ask what I think is a simple question I often get fairly complex answers.  But that is one of the great things about Experts Exchange.  Thanks to all of the responders!  

I am awarding the points to Crash2100 as he was the first to give me a way to address the problem without me having to buy extra software.  But, I do appreciate the extra input.