glad to see you got it sorted out

are you on a network?

goto
www.lavasoftusa.com

get a program called ad-aware and check your computer for advertising spies

this will mess you up

after that download this program
bootvis.exe
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/platf...ot/BootVis.asp

it will speed your boot times dramatically

btw

msconfig should not mess up iexplorer so you have to check on that

more info on boot here

http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/platf...ot/default.asp

btw

when you run bootvis

select trace menu

optimize system

it will reboot your computer after boot wait
a message will eventually popup saying optimizing boot

this is a great tool

if you post more info on your setup and your programs

i can get a good idea on what to do next

cheers

egghead