francis e pratt <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>But how does a newbie know what programs are running in the background
>and which can, and should, be disabled?  I assume this is done via
>Ctrl-Alt-Delete, but I'm not sure.

I do close or disable as many programs as I can that sit as icons on the
task bar (by right clicking on the icon and then closing or disabling).
Include disabling your virus protection.  If you have other bars such as
Microsoft Office, right click and choose exit.  Also right click on the
desktop, set "Screen Saver" to "none", "Wallpaper" to none, and deselect
"low-power standby" and "shut off monitor" options.  However there will
still be some programs running, so perform Ctrl-Alt-Delete.  Then select
each program one at a time and select "End task". DO NOT end "Explorer", or
you will reboot!

Then run "ScanDisk" followed by "Disk Defragmenter".  Best to do this
frequently, eg, once weekly so that your fragmented portion never increases
above 2-4%.  (Select full optimization, even if Defragmenter recommends
that it is not required.)  In my experience anything fragmented above 5% is
a LOT; in such cases I have found that a third-party tool such as Norton
Utilities performs better.

Reboot and then reset your desktop settings (right click the desktop).  All
the other programs that start automatically should have done so and
reappeared on your task bar.
.................................................................
Barry Hill
107 Huntchester Crescent NE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2K 5G1
Phone:(403)275-6326 Fax:(403)275-8088 Email: [log in to unmask]

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