HGD, and others who took the trouble to look at my post here:
http://www.d-a-l.com/help/showthread.php?t=24998

I have the greatest news!
I found the source of my problem - it was the CF card, left by me in a built-in card reader. I completetly forgot about it and remembered only today when I needed to use it. I took it out and this #$%#@@# Autoplay disappeared!!!!

Thank you and sorry about all the wasted time....
At least I know now where I will come for help next.
(hope this doesn't happen anytime soon )

Hey,Olga

This is some Great news now it was not wasted time
at all this info is going in to my bag of gotos just incase
but i thank you for taking the time to post this info

it maybe a big help to someone inneed so go have some
fun now that you fixed it.

HGD

Hi,Olga

Just think of how mad you would have been if you did
the reformat then find this out wow

HGD

Oh yes, I am lucky to have had all this patience. Formatting - don't even wanna think about all the work that would have to follow!!!
And I really hope that this experience will be of help to others!
Thanks again, HGD!!!
(doing happy dance)

Hi,Olga

Yes this post could be a big help to someone having
this same problem.

by the way have a great happy dance

HGD

Hi HGD,

I also wanted to check with you about the changes to the registry and other stuff that I made trying to get rid of the Autoplay - do I need to undo anything at all? The computer seems to work fine now, except it will not "autoplay" anything any time soon

Thanks!