open windows

[rtrottie]

i have a lot of programs running in the background
i have taken a lot of files out of my start-up
file, but i still have a bunch of programs running
i have to shut down programs to run scandisk.

[Poseidon]

If you are asking what other programs are starting up when you start Windows; and what you can do to prevent these programs from automatically starting. You could use this free program:

<a href="http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml" target="_blank">Mike Lin's StartUp Control Panel</a>

Also, if you want to run scandisk and /or disk defragger, try running them while in safe mode.

[Orangeman]

If you are asking how to shut down programs running in the background, there are several ways to do this. The first and easiest is to softly and ONCE press CNTL Alt Del, and click End Task. Yo do this to each program running that you don't want to.

The second way is to click START>RUN and the type MSCONFIG. After you press Okay, make sure Selective STARTUP is clicked. After that you click the startup tab and uncheck the programs you don't want running.

The third way is to type MSCONFIG as before, but this time uncheck everything except for System.ini and Win.ini.

Hope this answers your question.

Orangeman :p

[craigmodius]

Also the most reliable solution IMHO is to run scandisk and defrag etc. in safe mode.