[John Rogers]

Bring up the Task Manager and look to see what programs are running, make sure to check the "all users" box. Write them all down and then do a search on any of the several sites that list them and if you really need them or not. You can also grab a program named "Process Explorer" from Sysinternals that shows what those dubious programs like SVCHOST.EXE are actually doing and are there and DLLs running that should NOT be there. I find that when I have my students do that they find things like:

- Adobe Updater running.....don't need it
- HPprinter apps (usually 4 or 5) running........don't need them
- JVSCHD or the JAVA update scheduler running.........don't need it as any app that needs some new JAVA will tell you.
- ATI video driver/updaters running, usually 2 or 3 and you only need one.
- Anti virus background scans running in the middle of the day, change the timer.
- Usually 4 or 5 manufacturer specific apps that are not needed unless you do something specific.

Good luck