Windows Registry and System Restore

The following are all Microsoft Knowledge Base articles;

Back up the registry in Windows XP

How to Back Up the Registry in Windows 98 and Windows Millennium Edition

Windows System Restore

WIndows Start-up Programs - Help Sites

Just a few sites that offer some insight and advice as to what programs your computer is running from start-up. Several resources noted as some go down at times. Use caution and think these through BEFORE applying changes to your computer.

And please, back up your Registry before starting.

1) Black Viper Windows Services ~ Includes complete explanations of each service and advice on which services you can safely disable.

2) Arvind Gopu's Tweak Windows XP services

3) Beemer's Optimize XP Services

4) GovernmentSecurity.org - Disabling unnecessary and potentially dangerous services
Don't ask me about the site name - I couldn't find the reason right up front. What they look like is a six-year old network security group who share information about resolving problems and advising members as to proper network security protocol.

That's about it. Other sites found were ambiguous in their instruction that just might possibly make a someone mess up their computer.

Just take care with what you do, it will take some time so don't start unless you're willing to devote, at minimum, an hour reading everything and then another half-hour to 45 minutes actually resetting your system from the instructions.

x-tremegeek.com - Geek Toys, Gifts and Gadgets

SourceForge.net: Find and Build Open Source Software
Where you can find Notepad++, Notepad++ Plugins, css and javascript editors, paint programs, and much more. I may want to dig around in here some day when I have a little time.

Notepad++
Notepad++ is a free Notepad replacement for MS Windows.

40+ Free Windows Apps
Free and/or open source alternatives to commercial windows programs.

20 Open Source Windows Apps Open source and/or free alternatives for windows programs.

Slashdot: News for Nerds

Computer Stupidities
"I have a monitor, keyboard, printer, modem, scanner, speakers, CD-ROM drive, external hard drive, ...and the computer still won't work ... what do you mean - CPU?"

Yep it's all there, dumb things people do when trying to hook up to technology.