Please contact Tech Solutions to receive immediate assistance phone (780) 220-4316 or contact us by Email.

Built into Windows 98, 98SE, ME, and XP is a special tool called the "Microsoft System Configuration Utility" or simply "MSCONFIG." Designed to help you troubleshoot problems with your computer, MSCONFIG can also be used to ensure that your computer boots faster and crashes less. Most people know that the more programs you have running on your computer at once, the more likely it is that your computer will either run slowly or even crash. What most people don't know is that every time you boot your computer a whole mess of "hidden" programs load in the background. Some of these hidden programs are essential, but most aren't. Turning off some of these hidden programs can significantly increase your computer's performance and reliability.

Here is how to use MSCONFIG on Windows 98, 98SE, ME, and XP  to disable some of the unnecessary programs that automatically load on start-up.  If you have Windows 2000 than you need to download msconfig first.

1.  Go to Start > Run

2. Type MSCONFIG

3. This launches Microsoft's System Configuration Utility. Click on the Startup tab (the tab at the far right).

4. This takes you to a page with a list of "startup items." Startup items are programs that are automatically loaded every time you turn on your computer. Some startup programs are absolutely necessary, others are simply a waste of RAM.

The only startup items you absolutely need are:

• ScanRegistry
• TaskMonitor
• SystemTray
• LoadPowerProfile
• Your antivirus program (trust me, you won't have a hard time figuring out which one is your antivirus program. It is pretty obvious.)

Since you need these startup items to be running all the time in order for your computer to work properly, make sure there is always a check mark next to all of these startup items.

If you don't see one or two these items in your list of startup items, that's cool. For example, some people may not have a LoadPowerProfile while others may have two. The big thing to remember is that you don't want to uncheck any of these files if you have them.

The rest of the startup items, however, are completely optional. Whether you leave these optional startup items on or turn them off is completely up to you. A good rule of thumb is to disable only those programs that you recognize and don't need to have running all the time. When in doubt, leave it on or you can contact Tech Solutions. For immediate assistance you can call (780) 439-9623 or you can send us an Email.

Windows XP is a little different. In Windows XP, all of Windows essential programs are loaded through something called "Windows Services." This means that most of the startup items you see in XP are completely optional and can be turned off. Still, the rule of thumb applies: disable only those programs that you recognize and don't need to have running al the time. When in doubt, leave it on.

5. Click on the OK button.

6. A message will pop up telling you that you must restart your computer before these changes will take effect. Click on "Yes" and your computer will automatically reboot.

7. When you restart a message will appear saying that you have used the system configuration utility. Do not panic. Just click on don't show me this message again and close the window.