Generally speaking, Dell puts a lot of, uh . . .
stuff. . . on their computers that loads automatically.
The best way to prevent some of it from running is from
within the program itself. For example, if you click (or
right click) on one of the programs whose icon shows up in
your SysTray, next to the clock, there's usually a way to
tell the progran NOT to load itself automatically. Look
for Settings or Preferences.
It's also a good idea to look in the Startup Folder which
is under (All) Programs. You can remove the starting of
the program, without removing the program from your
system, by deleting the appropriate icon from the Startup
Folder (mine's empty and that's the way I like it).
There is also a Windows XP tool that you can use but it is
recommended primarily as a diagnostic tool - MSCONFIG
(
http://netsquirrel.com/msconfig/ <-TUTORIAL). Please
learn how to use the tool before just hacking away with
it.
Many of the items that you'll see (using MSCONFIG) on YOUR
Startup tab are strictly optional A few are critical to
the functionality of your computer. Exercise caution and
KNOW what you're removing before you remove it. Otherwise,
you'll be back here with a WORSE problem . . .
Good Luck !
