[GingerL]

I want to "clean up" my system and optimize my computer. I purchased a registry cleaner (the Uniblue one advertised here), but after reading some threads about these types of programs, I decided not to run it.

I just need someone to look at my system and help me with a few things. I probably have too many programs running at start-up. But I'm not sure which ones I need and which ones I don't. I also probably have several programs in that I can uninstall, but again I'm not sure which ones.

Anyone willing to help? What do I need to run to give you the inforamation you need?

Thanks so much! I always get great help here, and I am so thankful for those of you who are willing to give of your time and expertise to help people like me.

[Hughv]

Good move on the registry cleaner.
You can start here with msconfig:
http://www.netsquirrel.com/msconfig/msconfig_xp.html
Use Google to determine which programs you don't need, or take a screenshot of msconfig so we can make recommendations.
Review the list of tweaks here:
http://www.tweakxp.com/performance_tweaks.aspx

[rka01]

Hello GingerL. You could try these utilities to get rid of all the crud that builds up on your computer.
http://www.windowsstartup.com/
http://www.ccleaner.com/
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/mrudownload.html
http://majorgeeks.com/ATF_Cleaner_d4949.html
With the windowsstartup utilility anything without infomation google it and see if it is safeto stop at startup everything is reverseable.

[jsparky77]

a couple of good programs are:
iObit Advanced WindowsCare Personal
Auslogics Disk Defrag
Glasry Utilites
Mz Vista Force and
TuneXP