Just to let everyone that reformates when they get alot of spyware and viruses on their computer, don't be fooled into thinking that formatting will get rid of everything. There are a few Spyware programs out there that formatting will not get rid of. As an example SpyX, this insidious program actually writes to the CMOS and comes back after a format. Currently the only way that I know of to get rid of it is to use a program called Spysweeper. Also there are a couple of viruses out there that can do the same thing.

Wow, I hadn't really thought spyware had reached the point to being persistent enough to avoid a format. I mean some viruses obviously have but those are usually in a league above adware and spyware. Just another reason to get an active spyware scanner I guess, stop that crap from getting onto your system before it has the chance.

I want to tell poeple, iolotechnologies.com has a greta product called System mechanic 6 pro

it does virtually all of that except the windows update even in one step called total care. Something to definatly look into (if the link dont work google it)

I found the following things to slow my comp's boot up time down...
- MSN Messenger
- Yahoo Messenger
- Alcohol 120% Virtual Drives
- TUne up Utilities 2006

The other applications that do start up for me, are left there. Mainly my logitech control (mouse and keyboard - the "special keys"), Norton AV, CoreCenter, ATi Cataclyst Control thing (honestly have NO idea why though LOL)...

Also I did notice that my boot-up time doubled when I added a SATA 250GB hard drive.

a couple of days back i did just that..tune up my system and im happy my system is feeeling younger and brisk now!

of all the articles i heaved through in the net to find ways to tune up my system, i got to credit to a set of three articles that helped me achieve it. i would term these as the wholesome and complete guide to tune up xp. click here to read 10 simple ways to speed up windows xp, 10 intermediate ways to speed up windows, and more ways to speed up windows xp.

steps i felt really made a happy difference are:



1. disabling indexing services.

2. speedup folder browsing by disabling "Automatically search for network folders and printers". a subtle but visible change.

3. installing cache man to improve memory usage. now here..i have used every damn ram booster softwares out there...this one definitely stands out and simply the best i have used so far. two thuumbs up for this one! my system has never felt so good and stable. i can 'feel' it breathing easier!

4. installing boot vis to improve boot times. my laptop DEFINITELY boots up faster now.

5. installing tcp/ip optimizer. again...my interner browsing and downloading speed is DEFINITELY faster.


6. disabling unnecessary serivices at startup..lesser frustrating wait watching your system wake up littlle by little.

7. installing page defrag..its cool in that it automatically defrags my page file at startup...in just 3 seconds.

8. speedup folder access by disabling "last access update". another nice subtle but visible difference.

9. installing clear mem.. now i can sit comfortable in the knowledge i have this power i can always use as a last weapon to get back my freezing system back to life.

10. and this is one that pleased me most...improving shutdown speed by the tweak suggested in 'more ways to speed up xp'. my system DEFINITELY goes to sleep in a zip now. used to be one of those things that always get on my nerves...when my laptop takes its own sweet time to go off while i have to wait to close it and put it in the case before i can - move and get going. thank god for this!


cheers!

shiv

I like your list. Here is what I use for my XP:

AVG Free
Spybot S&D
SpywareBlaster
Firefox
Disable XP Firewall, Zone Alarm for Firewall

CCleaner
TCPOptimizer
Pagefiledefrag

Add Service Packs
Disable Services
Remove entries from the: Check HKLM... /Run, Check HKCU... /Run, Startup folder
Modify the boot.ini

My computer works fine. I also use UBCD to setup write zeros, partition, format hard drive and do other maintanance tasks. My computer works fine.