Note: Due to the large number of virus and Spyware threats on the Internet, it is advised that you disconnect all Internet connections before disabling antivirus software or firewall software. Once the antivirus software and firewall software have been re-enabled, the Internet connection can be re-enabled.

1. Open MSConfig.
   • From the Windows Vista default Start menu, in the Start Search box, type: msconfig, and then press the ENTER key.

   • In the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.

   • The System Configuration window opens.

2. In the System Configuration window, click the Startup tab.

3. On the Startup tab, click Disable all to clear each check box on the list.

4. After all items on the Startup tab have been cleared, click the Services tab, and then click to select Hide all Microsoft services. The list of services becomes smaller. Click Disable all.

5. Click OK, and then restart the computer when prompted.

6. Test for the issue.

   Note: If the issue is intermittent, you may need to test the computer for that specific issue until you feel comfortable that the issue would have reappeared.

If the issue is resolved, follow these steps:

1. Open MSConfig.
   • From the Windows Vista default Start menu, in the Start Search box, type: msconfig, and then press the ENTER key.

   • In the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.

   • The System Configuration window opens.

2. In the System Configuration window, click the Startup tab.

3. On the Startup tab, click to select the first check box in the list.

4. Click OK, and then restart the computer when prompted.

5. Determine whether the issue is resolved.

6. After you are confident that the issue has been resolved, repeat step 1 through step 4, but click to select the next check box in the list. If the issue reoccurs, go to step 10.

7. If the issue is still resolved after checking all items on the Startup tab, click the Services tab and then check Hide all Microsoft services. Click to select the first check box in the list, and then click OK. Restart the computer when prompted.

8. Determine whether the issue is resolved.

9. After you are confident that the issue has been resolved, repeat steps 7 and 8, but click to select the next check box in the list.

10. When the issue returns, the last check box that was cleared loads a program that is preventing Windows from working properly. After the item is discovered, leave it cleared, and then verify that all other startup items and services are checked. If the computer continues to function properly, reconnect any external devices that may have been disconnected in previous troubleshooting steps. If the computer still continues to function properly, troubleshoot the startup item or service that is causing the issue. A common troubleshooting step is to remove and reinstall the associated program.