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load and the less resources your processor has to set aside to run them. Only remove programs if you're certain they're not necessary (such as AOL Instant Messenger, Adobe Reader, or a media player). You can always load a program whenever you need it.

If you make changes to the startup list, the next time you turn on your computer Windows will show a dialog box telling you that it is now running in Selective Startup Mode. All this means is that you made a change to the startup programs. Check the box that says "Don't show this message again" and be on your merry way.

- Not enough RAM

RAM is the dynamic memory your computer uses to juggle all of the open programs you use. When you're multitasking between three Internet Explorer windows, a Word document, and your music player, RAM (with a little help from your processor) is what enables all these programs to run at the same time. Installing more RAM is an easy hardware upgrade, if you're not nervous about opening your computer's case and poking around. Most online computer retailers can tell you exactly what kind of RAM you should buy for your computer, and how much it can take. These days, RAM is very cheap, so even if you're not sure if RAM is the problem, it's not a bad idea to max it out.

- The page file

When your computer runs out of RAM and needs more dynamic memory, it turns to an area of the hard drive called the "page file" or "swap file." This is a special area that Windows sets aside to act as RAM if all of the actual RAM is being used. It's a neat idea, except for the fact that accessing your hard drive takes a lot longer than accessing RAM. (Another good reason to add more RAM.) There are two basic adjustments to the page file most users make - either set it to a size larger than your RAM capacity (so Windows has plenty of room to work with, which is especially handy if there is a crash and it needs to quickly save data) or turn it off completely (so that Windows isn't tempted to use it at all and sticks wth the lightning-fast RAM instead).

To access the page file settings, right-click on My Computer (either on the Start Menu or the Desktop) and select Properties. Under the Advanced tab, click the Settings box in the Performance section, then go to the Advanced tab and click the box that says Change. Here you can change the page file size or disable it. If you change the size, be sure to set the maximum size to an equal or larger number than the initial size. Once you make your changes, click OK until

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