First time how long it takes to start up you computer (including login) and open My computer.
Firstly click on the start orb
and type in “msconfig” click on msconfig.exe. You should see this:
Click on startup then go through each one at a time and only leave it enabled if you really want it to start every time you start your PC. Leave your antivirus selected if it is here. I only have wakoopa web tracker, Nvidia display driver and software required for my keyboard. Note that by disabling google update doesn’t prevent google from updating as it automatically starts google update when you open a google product (Chrome, Earth etc.)
Next go to services, if you don’t feel happy playing around with these settings (they are more important) then don’t.
Check the box that says hide all microsoft services
Like before go through each one individually. I have all disabled except Norton 360 and Nvidia display driver. If you use adobe CS3 or CS4 or later this year CS5 then don’t disable flexnet licensing service as this will prevent you from using your adobe products until you enable it again.
Now finally go to boot:
Click on advanced options
And check number of processors and select the number corresponding to your CPU – 4 for quad core 2 for dual core etc.
Click apply then OK and restart your computer
Time it again and post the difference as comments