I have a year old Dell running Windows XP and when I boot it up it seems forever to get up and running.  I know with Windows 95 there was a combo of keys you could hit and find out what programs were running and how to disable them.  I have run Spybot as well as Ad-Aware and still the system is running slow.  Also, when I go to shut down I get several of those small "end program" screens, (sorry I have not written down the names of the programs).  Can anyone offer me any assitance on how to shut down un needed programs to speed my system back up?  Sorry if I am not being clear, I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to computers.  Thank-you in advance.

ctrl + Alt + del

Quoted: ctrl + Alt + del

Then click "task manager" then click the "processes" tab.

If you google the names of the files you should get an idea of what they are used for.

In your desktop, press "Ctrl-Alt-Del", select Task manager.

Now look through the list of "Image Names". Click on "Mem Usage" so that it sorts from highest memory usage down to the lowest.

You may not recognize any of these, but this is the page to use to check out WTF is running.

Also check your registry and Startup folder.

Go to Start | Run
Type 'msconfig' and hit enter
the far right tab should say 'startup' go there and uncheck any programs that you dont want to run on startup.


p.s. windows has always had a problem of getting slower as it goes. It might be time to back up your files and then wipe your system and reinstall. this usally speeds it up quite a bit.


hope this helps,
Derek

Thanks guys for the fast response, will print out the info and give it a shot.

a couple programs to help you out

xblock scroll down and click download

hijackfree   just uncheck what you don't want to load on startup.      similar to     MSCONFIG


ewido

I sure as heck didn't want to call Dell and get to talk to Ahpoo in India!!!!