Background programs slowing performance

I want to prevent as many background programs as possible
from running every time I start my computer (Windows 98,
cable modem, ample, I think, ram). How can I find out
what all the programs listed in the Task Manager are and
whether or not I can remove them?

My personal rule of thumb is if a program is not used during every computer
session, I do not allow it to start at boot. To cut back on the number of
programs starting at boot, check the programs themselves for an option not
to load. You might have to double click an icon in the tray (others might
require a right click) and then look for preferences or options. If you
cannot find an option, look for the program in the following start up points
and remove the reference to it:

Start up folder on the start menu, the load= and run= lines in the win.ini
and these registry run keys (use regedit.exe):

1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run

2. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Run

3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\RunOnce

4. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\RunOnce

5. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\ RunServices

6. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\
RunServicesOnce

7. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\
RunOnce\Setup

If poking around in the registry is not for you, there is a freeware program
that makes this process a lot easier to manage: Startup Manager,
http://home.ptd.net/~don5408/toolbox/startupcpl/

You can use msconfig.exe, startup tab, to disable programs; however, by
doing so, you may lessen its value as a troubleshooting tool. There might
be some double entries in msconfig--leave those for your AntiVirus program
and load power profile alone as they are required. If you disable an entry
in msconfig or remove it from the start up point and the program loads again
after a reboot, that is an indication that you missed an option on the
program itself. If you don't know what an entry is, check he
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm

--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

wrote in message
...
I want to prevent as many background programs as possible
from running every time I start my computer (Windows 98,
cable modem, ample, I think, ram). How can I find out
what all the programs listed in the Task Manager are and
whether or not I can remove them?