listing service you need will be shorter. I use : Network connection Plug and play Remote Access Connection Manager Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Windows audio WMI and I set cryptograhic to manual. (needed to install direct X and other microsoft stuff and for windows updates) All others dont exist( nlited) or are disabled. Some services a needed depending if you want use a printer and depending on how you connect to internet. If you want more perfomance you can use the classic windows look and disable all fancy graphic stuff. Remove system restore (for total newbie) Clone you drive instead, remove indexing service ( if you cant find you doc own your pc, fix your brain ) . With that kind of nlited windows xp, it will very fast. To learn more about each service go to http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm If yout not sure about a particular service, I sugest to leave it on, until your learn more about it.