My Computer is Slow
As is probably your experience, your Windows computer worked quite efficiently on the day of purchase. But sometime in the past three to six months, something has taken place that has caused it to slow down significantly.

Startup Items in Windows

There are a number of reasons why your Windows-based computer can slow down. One of the main reasons is “startup programs”. The term “startup programs” by definition, indicates the exact issue at hand. What basically takes place after a number of months of use, (installing and uninstalling programs, getting updates, downloading games and weather-watcher programs) tends to minimize your computer’s efficiency, by leaving a clutter of applications that your computer is needlessly demanded to run.

How it Happens

When you install programs on your computer, some of them will leave an entry/command on your computer that tells that program to startup in the background at the time your computer starts up.

Accessing the Startup Commands

The location of startup commands can be accessed by a utility known as “msconfig”. This utility allows you to disable which programs have the right to startup when you “boot-up” your computer initially. You place a check-mark in a check-box beside the programs that you want to startup in the background, and remove the check-mark for those you wish to remain inactive until you start them manually by clicking on them in your start menu.

To access the msconfig utility in Windows XP and Vista, you must type a command in the “run” dialog box. To access the startup dialog box, complete the following:

1. Click on “Start”.

2. *Click “Run”.

3. Click into the “text box”.

4. Type the Following Command: “msconfig”.

5. Click on “Ok”.

*For Windows Vista, you may click on “Start” then type “run” into the search box to locate the “run” dialog box.

Removing Unnecessary Programs from Startup

Your computer should then bring up the “msconfig” utility. One of the tabs on the utility, typically the last one, will be labeled “startup”. Click on the “startup” tab to view the startup items. Remove the check-mark in the check-boxes for any programs you do not wish to start-up when your computer starts. Please be sure to note that your anti-virus and other important programs may be listed in this list as well. Disabling your anti-virus or other important programs in this list may prove damaging to the long-term security and performance of your computer. If you are not sure what function a particular program provides, do not remove the check-mark.

You Will Need to Restart

After making your changes, click on “OK” and (if you do not have any other programs open) click on “Restart” to restart your computer and apply the changes. Once you have restarted, you will be provided with a prompt that basically indicates that Windows has recognized the changes you have made. If you agree with this statement you may select the “don’t show this to me again” (paraphrase) and click on “OK”.

Conclusion

That should conclude removing programs from startup on a Windows XP or Vista PC. If you discovered many unwanted programs in this list and have un-checked them, you should notice a significant increase in performance.

Your TrueStar Technology Expert

Note: You are responsible for any changes made to these settings at any point during this tutorial. TrueStar Computer Solutions or none of its affiliates shall be held responsible in any way.

Tablet On-Screen Keyboard Frustrations

Today I came across a very interesting and frustrating situation with a Tablet PC running Windows XP Tablet editon. The issue specifically was related to the on-screen keyboard. The on-screen keyboard would show up each time I tried to log-in to the tablet using one of its user accounts. Although this is not a critical issue, it proved to be a nuisance. You will find that disabling the use of the on-screen keyboard in control panel or by pressing the “Windows Key”+U and un-checking the “start automatically when I log in” in “utility manager” will not remove it from the log-in screen. The quick fix for this issue is to type the following command into your run box, followed by a restart: regsvr32 /u “c:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\ink\loginkey.dll”. This should take care of the issue permanetly and does no damage to your system files.

Your TrueStar Technology Expert