Want to make sure as few processes as possible are running, how?

[Alvis]

For instance, when I do video editing and the like, I want to make sure as few processes as possible are running because I've had issues before when my computer would freeze up when I was processing video with TMPG. How can I run only the processes that are essential and free up the most system resources? Are there any programs or downloads that would help me with this?

I have a 1.3 Athlon with 512meg ram and I am running Windows XP.

Thanks,

Alvis

[ulfschack]

Empty your "autostart folder". Type "msconfig" in the "run"-field and go to the autostart tab and deselect all you don't need. Restart.

cheers

[diji1]

Hi Alvis - just thought id mention that "msconfig" doesn't work in win2k ( xp is fine ) - the only way to edit the startup programs that i know is to delete registry keys at My Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. type "regedit" in the run window and to run the registry and browse to that "directory" and delete appropriate keys ( if u didn't know ).

Alvis : Are there any programs or downloads that would help me with this?

ashampoo winoptimiser's start-up tuner would help with trimming apps that load at start-up. else u could try ctrl-alt-delete ( win9x ) or ctrl-shift-esc ( win2k/xp ) and end programs that way ... win98 only needs explorer running in the program list, i think, and 2k/xp won't let u shutdown anything essential.