When i start my computer with EMC installed, drag-to-disc appears on the desktop and will only move to the toolbar when i click alt-x. is there a way to start the machine without drag-to disc showing up?

If you don't use Drag to Disc, I would strongly advise uninstalling it through Add/Remove Programs. It is a separate entry, there.

If you do use Drag to Disc, I would strongly advise you not to. Use Creator Classic.

If you don't like my advice, then you can disable it at startup by clicking on Start, then on Run, and in the dialogue box, type in msconfig. When the next screen comes up, click on the Startup tab. Then uncheck the box to the left of Drag to Disc. Also uncheck the box to the left of RoxWatch, if it is checked.

Click on Apply, then OK, and reboot your computer. Once it boots up, put a check in the box in the lower left corner of the popup screen that you see. Then you won't see that screen saying that you are using selective startup, or words to that affect.

If you are a D2D user, open the D2D Settings and clear the checkmark as highlighted below. (note: this is a V7.5 screenshot but V9 is similar)