Start up programs

[sprayer]

Every time I boot up my laptop these days it seems to take forever to load, I am running win XP & do daily virus checks and have so far not found any. Somebody told me it could be that I am loading too
many programs at start up and I noticed along the bottom tool bar there are programs that have loaded
automatically such as BBC Iplayer, Nokia PC suite, Skype & so on, so how do I switch off auto start up
on these? ( in layman's terms please, as I'm not good with computers )

[pauln90]

http://www.ehow.com/h...startup-programs.html

The above article explains the process of checking startup programmes. Be sure however that the process you choose to close isn't necessary for windows to function properly

[VHG]

I am not sure why people always think a slow computer means you have a virus.

The usual reason for a slow computer (particularly one that has NOT had a Windows reinstall for years) is that lots and lots of extra "baggage" has been added to your computer over the years it is used, all slowing it down.

Windows itself creates all sorts of folders, files, temporary folders and temporary files and so on over the years, plus as you say, extra programs are installed which start up when the computer starts.

Overall the BEST way to sort all this out is to do a complete reinstall of Windows, but that may be a bit drastic for some people.

If you cant do that then:

a) Uninstall all the programs you dont use any more.

b) Stop some of them starting up when Windows starts (you are already looking at this)

c) Defragment your hard disk

d) Run the Windows "clean up" program (on the Windows menu).

e) Remove files from your hard disk you no longer need, and make sure there is plenty of room on your hard disk.

f) Make sure you are not running too many security programs. While it is good to have PC security it is NOT a good idea to have 2 anti virus programs running and so on. The more security on your computer the more "checks" have to be done, slowing it down.

g) Consider adding some extra RAM memory to your computer.

Doing all or most of these things should speed up yor computer.

[bazwillrun]

"I am not sure why people always think a slow computer means you have a virus"

because they dont really have much knowledge about computers and have fallen for all the "hype" about viruses.

there are others but download CCleaner, a free program easy to use that will amongst other things let you see whats starting up at boot time and then disable those you dont want, or make a list of the programs that are starting and where possible go the preferences for that program and tun off via the program things that are on auto, most common is program updates.

This next one is more hazardous if you dont know what you are doing but theres plent of online advice.

turn off or set to manual, Windows Services that really arent needed on startup and running all the time.

From experience i can tell you Nokia PC suite is a resources hog.

when you do install new software always read exactly what its installing, and make choices , dont just let it install everything automatically, thats how a lot of extra crud gets on you PC.

rather than checking for viruses, you would be better off doing a sweep for spyware and the like using something free like spybot or ad aware, if you do download these utilities dont have them on all the time, just do a periodic sweep or when things seem to be going slow.

no point in defraging your H/D unless it needs it, run the Windows Defrag utility first and then Defrag if needed.

[sprayer]

Thank for the advice, looking at it now...