[hakeem5454]

my startup is really slow. What are some ways of making if faster?
I know of msconfig but are there any other ways?

[Andromeda43]

Ok, you've been to MSCONFIG, I presume.
And, you've de-selected everything you don't need.......Right?

OK, next step.
From START, go to RUN, then type in Services.msc
Maximize the window and look down the list of Services.
Take note of the ones that are set to Automatic and are already running.
What you need to do here is change Automatic to Disable on many of the Services.
Here's a list from The Shadow's website.
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Here's my short, short list of services to disable for a stand alone PC, not on a network: From the RUN box, type in Services.msc , then maximize the window to full screen size. Then scroll down the list of services to each item on the following list and right click on an item and then click Properties. In the properties box you can Stop a running service and then set the action box to "Disable". Then Apply the change and OK the window to close it. Move down the list to the next item and repeat the process. When done, close the entire window and reboot your PC.
Clip book
Computer Browser
Error Reporting Service
Messenger
Performance Logs and Alerts
Portable Serial Number
Remote Registry
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
Routing and Remote Access
Server (leave this on for a local network)
Smart Card Helper
System Event Notification
Task Scheduler
Themes
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Upload Manager
Web Client
Windows time
Wireless Zero Configuration (disable if you will never use a wireless network)
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Getting un-needed services shut down can speed up your computer CONSIDERABLY!

Finally:
One of the worse things that slows down PC's is spyware and / or viruses.
Here's another good source of info on what to get and where to get it.:::
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These are the programs I use every day to keep my own PC spotlessly clean.
I suggest every person having any Virus or Spyware issues get these programs
and use them immediately.
Do check for updates to all your security software on a DAILY basis.

SPYWARE BLOCKERS/REMOVERS:

a-squared (a²) is a complementary product to antivirus software and desktop firewalls on MS Windows computers. Antivirus software specializes in detecting classic viruses. Many available products have weaknesses in detecting other malicious software (Malware) like Trojans, Dialers, Worms and Spyware (Adware). a² fills the gap that malware writers exploit.
a2 FREE can be downloaded at:
http://www.emsisoft..../software/free/
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "Download a2 Free now"


Spybot Search & Destroy, a great anti Spyware program.
Can be downloaded from:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_desc...id,22262,00.asp
For instructions on how to set up Spybot for best operation,
download the instruction sheet from my website.
http://theshadow.members.atlantic.net

AdAware SE/Personal. Another top notch anti Spyware program.
Can be downloaded from:
http://www.majorgeek...ownload506.html

Spyware Blaster, a great Spyware Blocker.
Protects both I.E. and Mozilla Firefox.
Can be downloaded from:
http://www.majorgeek...wnload2859.html

ANTI-VIRUS PROTECTION:

AVG 7 FREE:
World famous AVG will keep your computer free of viruses, trojans, dialers, etc.
By default, it updates and scans for viruses on a daily basis.
Can be downloaded from:
http://free.grisoft....eweb.php/doc/2/
Save to your desktop and run the install from there.
Immediately get updates. More than one may be required.

Stinger: Stand Alone Virus Scanner
Check for new version, once a week.
Can be downloaded from:
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
Save to your Desktop and run from there.

vCleaner, Stand Alone Virus Checker from Grisoft.
Can be downloaded from:
http://www.infinitev...ps_vcleaner.htm
Save to your Desktop and run from there.

REGISTRY CLEANER:

Easy Cleaner, the best Registry Cleaner I've found so far.
Can be downloaded from:
http://personal.inet...rts/ecleane.htm
Just scroll down to "Download & Installation" and click on the first floppy disk symbol.

FIREWALL:

The XP windows firewall is only a 50% firewall, blocking incoming hackers but doing nothing to stop any ET that's already on your PC from "Phoning Home". It seems like almost every program you install anymore, wants to "Phone Home". It's a good idea to NOT allow this activity. My suggested Firewall to prevent this activity is the FREE version of a world famous product called "Zone Alarm".
ZA can be downloaded from:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/cata...lid=dbtopnav_za

And, while you're there, notice their FREE security test. This test uses Active-X controls and will only work if you access it from Internet Explorer. (will NOT work from Firefox or Netscape) It's a long download on a dial-up service. You'll probably just want to skip this test. If it does find something, it won't remove it unless you buy the full retail version. Just download the FREE version of ZoneAlarm.

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When installing any new software packages, the instructions will usually ask you to shut down all running programs before proceding. To do this manually is a real pain. A very simple way to do this is to run a little utility called "End It All 2". End It All has been around for several years but did not shut down 'services'. The new and improved version "End It All 2" shuts down both programs and services alike.
Download it and use it before installing new software, doing a Defrag or burning a CD/DVD. You can download it from here:
http://www.docsdownl...r1/enditall.htm

Happy Computing!

If you do all of the above, your PC will love you and you'll have the cleanest PC in the neighborhood.
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Thank You Shadow,
Morbius

[Takeshi]

Quote

Getting un-needed services shut down can speed up your computer CONSIDERABLY!

I'm afraid I disagree. It may save 20-30 MB of RAM but in my experience the speed up is not considerable. In fact bearly noticeable on systems with >256MB RAM.

The main reason for trimming the services list is not speeding up but security.

If you really want to examine your start up items (apart from services), use HijackThis and do a startup list.

There are other things you can do, like adding RAM and clean out junk.

This post has been edited by Takeshi: 12 September 2005 - 09:48 PM

[MHz]

Just use BootVis to trace the boot process. This will display any problems. It has an optimise function which may simply fix the issue.
I agree with Takeshi. Disabling services will do little. Installing other alternatives of software will do little also. If your hardware is slow, then any change of software will not speed it up.