Yet Another Computer Software Question or Two

[Hrant]

Recently, my 5GB partitioned D hard drive was stating that it was low on space; this was used for backup but I have a stand alone backup drive now.

In the initial process of trying to clear some space on the D drive, the option of "delayed" startup was offered (presumably to also ease the number of CPU used as it was telling them too much CPU usage) so I opted for delayed start of the Microsoft Office OneNote (?) as well as HP Image Zone - both stuff that I don't use!

Then I also cleared the D drive. The D drive still has some 3.5GB in it (no idea why as it shows empty using properties!), but now I have this annoying delayed start of the HP Image Zone and OneNote popping up in the middle of doing any other stuff. The Start Menu doesn't show an option to get rid of this.

How do I clear this annoyance, and how do i limit the number of programs that are automatically loaded at the start up to speed up the desktop. It is an old desktop but meets daily needs. TIA.

 

[flaminio]

First, if you don't use OneNote or the HP thing, go to Add/Remove Programs and uninstall them. No sense keeping around programs you don't need, especially if they're running all the time, consuming precious CPU resources.

For the startup programs issue, I would suggest getting CCleaner (http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/). It has a section where it shows all your startup programs, with an option to disable or delete them. Disabling them works well, as you can then run your computer and see if you really do need them. If everything works fine with the programs disabled, just leave 'em disabled.

 

[Hrant]

Well, my kids used the OneNote and HP Image zone as they were in a crunch and their laptop was not available. So it got activated ... I see it on the "Guest" user's desktop. Instead of removing it as a program, is there a way that it doesn't get "activated" or initiated" until someone specifically calls for the program?

The HP Image Zone and ther OneNote have "pin to start menu" option but last time I played with didn't see any difference! Perhaps it has to reboot to show a fix? I do use HP Director but that is different.

The CCleaner looks interesting. But isn't that the same as when you look at the Widwos's Task manger and see all the programs using cpu? There is an option there to end processes but I am guessing it is a one time deal and they will get back whenever you reboot?

 

[flaminio]

The CCleaner looks interesting. But isn't that the same as when you look at the Widwos's Task manger and see all the programs using cpu? There is an option there to end processes but I am guessing it is a one time deal and they will get back whenever you reboot?

Yes, exactly. Killing it in Task Manager only kills it for that session -- after you reboot, they'll come back. Disabling it from starting should keep it away forever.

 

[grtahoang]

Hit the window button on the keyboard or select the window icon on the bottom left corner where you turn off and restart the computer.

In Win7 and Vista there's a search box that appears when you select the windows button. Type in the search box "msconfig", then right click on the word itself and select "run as administrator".
Another screen pops up and select the "startup" tab. Uncheck any programs you don't want running on startup from here, then restart.

Well, my kids used the OneNote and HP Image zone as they were in a crunch and their laptop was not available. So it got activated ... I see it on the "Guest" user's desktop. Instead of removing it as a program, is there a way that it doesn't get "activated" or initiated" until someone specifically calls for the program?

The HP Image Zone and ther OneNote have "pin to start menu" option but last time I played with didn't see any difference! Perhaps it has to reboot to show a fix? I do use HP Director but that is different.

The CCleaner looks interesting. But isn't that the same as when you look at the Widwos's Task manger and see all the programs using cpu? There is an option there to end processes but I am guessing it is a one time deal and they will get back whenever you reboot?

 

[Hrant]

Hit the window button on the keyboard or select the window icon on the bottom left corner where you turn off and restart the computer.

In Win7 and Vista there's a search box that appears when you select the windows button. Type in the search box "msconfig", then right click on the word itself and select "run as administrator".
Another screen pops up and select the "startup" tab. Uncheck any programs you don't want running on startup from here, then restart.

This was quite helpful in giving me some ideas of how to fix it - but since I am running Windows XP, there were some quirks but I figured it out. The problem I faced was there were a few application names that I couldn't figure what their use/function was and trial and error was to much of a hassle after some hours of playing with this! Every time I had to restart the computer ....

In the end, by luck - the norm with me - I found out that the delay was due to an option I had used withing Norton 350 Start Manager Menu. It gave the same list as in the "msconfig" but I was able to turn some applications off (and remove the delay on the two)/ The CPU seems now to be settled too.

Thanks for the suggestions - issue solved for now