Which startup items can I disable in msconfig?

[yellowperil]

I'm getting intermittent slowdowns in DVD playback and games, accompanied by about a 10-sec period of disk activity. DMA checked, FindFast disabled, HD defragmented, only Explorer and Systray running, and still no dice.

Running:
ScanRegistry
TaskMonitor
PCHealth
SystemTray
LoadPowerProfile
Adaptec DirectCD (can be shut down with Ctrl-Alt-Del)
*StateMgr
run= (printer utility, can be shut down with Ctrl-Alt-Del as well)

Disabled already:
3dfx Tools
Vortex Tray
Gravis AppAware Loader
McAfeeVirusScanService
SchedulingAgent
LoadPowerProfile (dupe)

Any suggestions for a solution? Thanks

 

[esung]

you can disable TaskMonitor, it's a program MS used to track your disk usage so it knows how to defrag the system.. not very useful if you use other defrag utility. and you can probably safely disable PCHealth as well.

Win9x also loads up other DLL/VxD/MPD during startup, which might also contribute to your problem.. but you'll need to edit the registry and check the C:\windows\system\iosubsys for the drivers.. BECAREFUL
what you do, because removing needed drivers will give you more headaches.

 

[circlek]

Best to back up your registry too!

 

[Mathwiz]

If you use suspend, sleep, or hibernate mode and are having problems,
you may be able to correct the problem by rechecking the 2nd instance
of LoadPowerProfile in msconfig. My understanding is that it is not a fluke in the operating system, but there for a reason. Actually, it depends on your powersaving requirements.
Just trying to help.
MDM

 

[yellowperil]

Thanks guys. I found this link posted by Wuming in another thread

http://ww2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Uncheck.htm

and it appears that I've checked off enough (or too much). Mathwiz is right, the link says it's normal for two instances of LoadPowerProfile.

I had my monitor set for Turn Off After 10 mins, I'm going to try setting that to Never, and see if that affects anything. I noticed the feature never kicked in during PowerDVD, even when I didn't move the mouse or press a key

BTW, can I remove those drivers using regclean or have to do it manually?

 

[madthumbs]

Try Re-enabling 3dfx tools. For some strange reason I got poor performance/ resources after the PC was on a while after disabling it. I also have never seen it make a difference in a benchmark to leave it on.

 

[SonOfZeuz]

Theoretically you only need Explorer and System Tray But thats obviously not practical.
I would dump the DirectCd, you can always start it from your start menu when you need it.
ScanRegistry just makes a back up of your registry at the first boot of each day, again you can do this manually.
I would get rid of Taskmanager and (both) load power profile unless you use the standby features.