New PC loaded with crap! What programs can I safely disable?

[Capitalizt]

Hey folks, my bro got a new Dell PC loaded with all sorts of junk. Under msconfig, there were around 20 programs running right from the start. I disabled a few of them that I didn't recognize and the sound stopped working, so it looks like there are some critical (non Microsoft) things mixed in with the typical junk that wastes memory (quicklaunch programs, auto updates, etc.) I need a comprehensive (and preferably alphabetical) list of the most common startup programs for PC's today, so I can disable as much junk as possible from starting. There are no names listed for these programs...just 2-3 letter abbreviations that I don't understand.

I've already done blackviper's services tweaks, but this thing is still slow as heck. I need something to guide me through the process of cutting the autoload programs to a bare minimum.

Any help GREATLY appreciated!!!

 

[biostud]

Go to uninstall software in the control panel start uninstalling, if in doubt search google for the name of the application and try to determine if you need the stuff.

 

[Navid]

http://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.html

MSCONFIG is a diagnosis/troubleshooting utility. It is not the best way to disable startups though.

 

[farscape]

First of all - you bought a Dell. You KNEW right off the bat that there was giong to be a boatload of !@#$#@^^ that you never were going to use.

Best way to get rid of it all is just take the plunge and reformat and do a fresh install of the operating system and the stuff that you really want. But don't look for screaming performance - it's still a Dell:roll:

 

[dboy]

I have a pair of dells, both running blazing fast. They're both the 400sc servers turned into desktops. I added ram (1 gig each), video cards (the gaming machine has a 9800Pro) and they've been flawless. I game on one and do video editing (with a bunch of added HDs) on the other. Sorry, but Dell does indeed make some good machines. You just have to get rid of the crud. These were easy since they came w/o OS. On any other dell, I'd start by reformatting and reinstalling Windows clean.

 

[helpmeout]

I've had four Dell's over the last 5 years, and the first thing I have always done is a format and clean reinstall. You can also get rid of the partition Dell puts on for the diagnostics. You don't want to use Dell's off-shore support anyway. Only problem I've had with Dell's is that you're limited in most cases when it comes to upgrading the computer.

 

[ManyBeers]

Try hereServices site

 

[boomerang]

How much RAM in this thing? I hope Dell is not still selling XP machines with 128MB in them like they have in the past.

Could be the "real" problem.

 

[Capitalizt]

thanks everyone!!...I uninstalled a bunch of crap and found those links very useful in minimizing startup processes.

running SMOOTH now.

 

[JackMDS]

This utility is very useful for such a situation.

Link to: Process Explorer.

Just run it, nothing to install. It shows you every thing that runs in memory and you can right click and Kill it. It just Kills for experimental purposes next time after boot it is back.

Make a list of the uneeded "Junk" and Uninstall or disable it in the AutoRun.

This until is excellent to control the AutoRun (just run it nothing to install): Startup Control Panel.

:sun: