Programs to improve windows performance

[Alklun]

Hello Everyone!

I'm looking for programs to clean up my computer, all the loose ends and what not, and increase Windows XP pro performance.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

I know I'm not being too specific but, I don't know much about computers.

Thanks folks.

[GX1_Man]

Can you be specific about your computer hardware, and what you use for spyware/virus protection? What do you do for regular maintenance on your Windows installation? Good habits are better than good programs.  

[Alklun]

Windows XP Pro SP 2
AMD athlon XP 2800+ 2.08GHZ
1GB of RAM (Not PC 133 but I dunno anymore than that)
Maxtor 4D040H2
Maxtor 6L200R0
NVIDIA GeForce 6800
No Idea what the motherboard is.

I use Symantic AntiVirus and Ad-Aware SE Personal

I regularly defrag both harddrives and that's about it.

There are a few more programs in my utilities tray at the bottom, loading during start up, than I'd like. Turning them off with msconfig only works until I use the program again, then they make something like a copy of the command to be started again. I was told there's a program that monitors what starts up with windows, is it true?

I use my computer everyday for school work, office work, art, gaming etc.

Thanks!

[GX1_Man]

Start/Run/msconfig will show you the  sttart up programs. Be careful what tyou turn off. Some are necessary for windows to function. Task Manager (Ctl+Alt+Del) will show what is using processor power.  Make sure  that computer is  clean. Have a read here;

http://www.computerhope.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1149948530