Resource Wasters - By Gene Goldring

Here is a simple way to speed up your computer. When installing certain programs, an auto start value will be added to your system that starts that program and runs it quietly in the background when Windows starts up. In most cases, these programs don't even get used during your use of the computer in that session. Some of these wasters are word processing programs such as Microsoft Office Toolbar, Find Fast, NetSonic, Reminders (for registration), etc. Some of the worst offenders are the file sharing programs. Examples are Napster, (deceased now) Morpheus, Kazza, Audio Galaxy, etc. (Kazza is loaded with Web Enhancer spy ware and hard to remove. See HERE if you want to remove web enhancer)

Everything in the Start, Programs, Startup folder has a shortcut available in the Start, Programs, Menu. Why not go load up these programs when you desire their usage. When these programs are running quietly in the background they use up valuable percentages of your system resources. (CPU cycles and RAM) My cure and others will agree, is

"GET RID OF THEM FROM THE STARTUP"

Removing them from the Startup folder will not remove them from your machine.

1.	Click on Start and hover on Programs.
2.	In the menu that pops out, (Start, Programs, Menu) look for the "Start Up" folder and hover on it.
3.	Make a decision on what programs are really necessary to have running all the time. If the answer is none of them, then "GET RID OF THEM" all.
4.	Right click on each in turn and left click delete.
5.	If you are running Windows 95 you won't be able to delete directly from the Programs Menu so you will have to open your Windows Explorer to find C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. This is the same folder. Follow Steps 3 and 4.
6.	Reboot your system

Getting rid of these items from the Start Up folder does not remove the programs from your system. It just won't let them start when Windows starts. They will be available to you either when a program needs these items and will automatically start them up on a request from the program or they will be in your Programs Menu for manual activation.

Windows 98/ME/Y2K/XP and MSCONFIG

Before we begin, if you are a Windows Y2K user and would like to benefit from this page, obtain a copy of msconfig.exe from a Windows 98 computer. Place it in the C:\Winnt\System32 folder. When accessing the System Configuration Utility by typing "msconfig" in the run box and hitting the Enter key you will get an error panel. Click Cancel. You will get 2 more error panels. Cancel, Cancel. You should now have the System Configuration Utility on your screen. Some of the tabs you would normally get with the other operating systems that have msconfig built in will be missing but all we need is the Startup tab.

Windows 98/ME/XP has a tool called "System Configuration Utility" Using this tool offers you an opportunity to easily remove startup programs. Some of the programs you will find listed will not have much of an explanation as to what they are and some will be self evident. Research on your machine will tell you what they are in time.

1.	Shut down any programs you are using presently. If you make changes to your Startup items, Windows will prompt you to restart your computer for the changes to take affect.
2.	Left click on Start and left click on Run.
3.	Type into the slot, "msconfig". (without the quotes)
4.	Left click the Startup Tab.

You are now viewing a list of running programs when Windows starts up. Remove the check marks from the boxes of the programs that you don't need to have startup when windows boots up.

Here are some of the programs that are necessary to have boot up:

SystemTray

ScanRegistry

TaskMonitor

LoadPowerProfile

You might encounter a lot of items in your list that you haven't a clue of what they are. Here is a site that has the most comprehensive listing of Startup items you might find and basic explanation of each. http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm . There is also a brief notation to the right of each item of their where-a-bouts in your system that might give you a clue if the program is necessary to have running. Remember that you are aren't disabling a program, only removing it from the startup.

Example: You might have ICQ listed or Office Find Fast or NetSonic. If you wish to have these not boot with windows then take the check out of the box. If you have a Logitech mouse you will need a check in EM-EXEC. Don't shut down your sound card by mistake. If you do, go back and put a check in the box. Items that you aren't sure of, do them one at a time as to see if your machine has changed drastically and to the detriment of operation.

General Tab

On the General tab you can remove the checkmark from the:

Process Config.sys file

Process Autoexec.bat file

Process Win.ini file

You must have the checkmark for:

Process System.ini file

Advanced Button

The Advanced button to the bottom right has one change you can make. This change applies to the shut down window that appears when you shut down your computer. "It Is Now Safe To Shut Down Your Computer". Who needs this piece of information?

Click on the Advanced button and put a checkmark into the "Disable Fast Shutdown" box.

When you have completed this project and exit the System Configuration Utility you will be prompted to restart your computer. Say yes.

All the programs you have stopped from booting up will have a icon in your Start Programs Menu or will be activated upon a request from a program that needs them. (and only when needed)

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