Question about Windows XP

[rowech]

We have a couple of programs that appear to always be running. Lower right hand corner of our taskbar. IN addition, if I go into taskmanager, it seems there are 58 processes that are always running. Is this normal? It seems like I should be able to stop many of these things from going on. It seems to really slow down our computer of late.

Suggestions as to how to do this? I've searched through windows help and I can't find anything that gives me even a clue about this.

[MJ4H]

In the taskbar, a lot of the time you can right click on the icon and look through options to either stop the program or keep them from running upon startup.

A program I recommend for trimming up your auto-startup programs is "Codestuff Starter." With this program, all the various ways that a program can be started automatically by Windows upon booting are compiled into a simple checkbox list where you can deselect any or all items, preventing them from starting up automatically. If you are unsure if you need a program to be running, you can always just deselect it and then just turn it back on later if you find you need it. You will likely find a LOT of useless programs running this way (quicktime, real media, winamp agent, etc.)

[MizzouRah]

Start, run, type, "msconfig". Look in the startup tab. You can uncheck a lot of these, but look them up on google first - and call a computer friend if you have any doubts.

[rowech]

Good Lord....I wonder how many of these are just absolute garbage things. Man!

Thanks on both counts. MJ4Heisman...where would I find the program you mentioned?

[Antmeister]

Good Lord....I wonder how many of these are just absolute garbage things. Man!

Thanks on both counts. MJ4Heisman...where would I find the program you mentioned?

Just google it:
http://members.lycos.co.uk/codestuff/

Never heard about this. Looks pretty cool.

[MJ4H]

http://codestuff.cjb.net/

[rowech]

I guess I need to do a little more googling.

[PackerFanatic]

I use msconfig often, especially after installing new programs...although that program might be a little easier. :)

[Toddzilla]

Here's a tip...don't install IE7 or WMP11

[RPI-Fan]

Also take advantage of www.oldversions.org (for things like WinAmp, AIM, WMP, RealPlayer, etc.)!!