How can I tell which programs are starting up when I turn on my computer, and how can I remove them from the ?

Go to the start menu and:

For XP type msconfig in the Run command box

For Vista type msconfig in the Search box

Then hit enter and when the msconfig utility comes up go to the startup tab. Everything that starts up is listed there and you can take the ticks out of things you don't need to start up. (e.g. everything except virus checker related items and possibly wireless network card related things)

Use google to identify any items you don't recognise.

Put ticks back if any problems after reboot,

start->run->type "msconfig" without the "'s->hit enter

click the tab labeled "startup" you'll see a list of all the programs that startup when your computer starts up. disable programs from starting up with windows by unchecking the boxes. hit ok, and next time you restart the programs wont start up.

click start button on status bar, then 'run', type 'msconfig' in the command window. Choose 'start' tab. and select which program you don't want to start.

Goto

http://suhas-tech.blogspot.com/

and see the first post about startup.It helps.