running misconfig

C:\windows\pchealth\helpctr\binaries and double click msconfig.exe

The other thing you may want to consider is, if the programs are bogging down their system, and they're not needed, why not just remove them altogether. Another option is to remove them directly from the registry with a cool little tool like regseeker, a free program, very user friendly interface. Just google it. Also make sure there is no malware, (viruses, adware, spyware on the machine.) NOTE: Free programs to consider, Adaware SE, spybot search and destroy, spywareblaster - all three of these should be used and updated, Grisofts AVG antivirus - can be purchased full version, but can be used for free manually. Do several scans with all of these programs after updating them, remove unecessary programs, and do online scans at the Symantec site or Trend Micro Housecall, whatever. Good luck.

Karen, you are using the wrong thing, type msconfig, not misconfig

Karen, here's a trick I use - it's safe it should't mess up your system.

Click on [Start}, [Search] then on [For Files or Folders], when slelect the last, you will get another screen, this time select [All Files and folders], in the box marked [All or part of the filename], enter msconfig.exe and start the search. After a moment this file will be found, ''C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\msconfig.exe'' right click on it and and choose the option [Send To] and in the list choose [Desktop (create shortcut)].

This will give you a shorcut to msconfig you can leave on your desktop and will take you stright there and you won't have to worry if you've got the spelling right!