This problem began while playing Oblivion - a game that has caused me numerous PC troubles.

I was having problems with the game and the advice that they sent was quite extensive. Erasing temp FILES, ETC. One change was to cut out all startup files on msconfig.

Well since that time, I have been unable to bring them back. I don't load everything, only selected programs like antivirus. When I APPLY them and reboot, nothing loads.

I'm thinking that the General tab of msconfig is probably at fault here but I don't know which options I chose before. What I have selected now is SELECTIVE Startup and then every option under that.

Am I right in thinking that the problem is here or is it deeper than that?Click on the Startup tag and see which items are ticked.

You should actually use services.msc when doing this...
Another very good option for this type of setup is to create a new Hardware Profile...
The advantage of this is you are not changing your main Windows setup.
It will present you with the 2 choices at setup.
Therefore when finished gaming you simply end the game;re-boot and choose your original Hardware Profile and you're back into your original Windows setup.
I'm suprised the Oblivion instructions didn't include this...You should actually use services.msc when doing this...
Another very good option for this type of setup is to create a new Hardware Profile...
The advantage of this is you are not changing your main Windows setup.
It will present you with the 2 choices at setup.
Therefore when finished gaming you simply end the game;re-boot and choose your original Hardware Profile and you're back into your original Windows setup.
I'm suprised the Oblivion instructions didn't include this...