can anyone tell me the really important programs I need to leave ticked

In where, MSCONFIG or the RUN section of the Registry?

msconfig contains the run entries

What you need to do is put what is listed, then we can tell you which need to stay.

msconfig contains the run entries

Surely you mean "msconfig contains some of the run entries"?

Surely you mean "msconfig contains some of the run entries"?

It should contain all the run entries that are configured under currentversion/run - which are the only ones that should start up under any particular profile.

If there are others not showing in msconfig, something has set a new path that shouldn't really be there.

Search the filenames here (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/) to see if you can disable them from running at start up.

examples :- http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/igfxpers.exe-12481.html This is a valid program but it is not required to run on startup.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/MSASCui.exe-14484.html This is a valid program that is required to run at startup.

Or even ones that definately shouldn't be running

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/1.exe-7306.html This is an undesirable program.
This file has been identified as a program that is undesirable to have running on your computer.

Just be carefull what you disable!

Use WinPatrol for better startup management.

http://www.winpatrol.com/startup.html

In msconfig - should I uncheck them all and see how things run or are there really important ones I should keep

No, there will be ones that you need to have running - your antivirus for one most likely.

I am assuming that the problem of really slow opening is caused by the start up programs. It takes over 5 minutes to get up and running. Any ideas what else it could be.

Can you list or get a screenshot of what you have?

I am assuming that the problem of really slow opening is caused by the start up programs. It takes over 5 minutes to get up and running. Any ideas what else it could be.

Note though, do not disable any services through msconfig

it is as likely to be services as startup, depending on when exactly in the start up process it is slow.

As said above, we really need to know whatthe services are, might also be worth doing a hijackthis log, often a lot of stuff can be found in there that slows a machine down.

On the same topic, anyone know if bootvis will work on newer operating systems, if it does it is a good tool to find out where the delay is

I am doing this for a friend so can't get a screen shot yet. I have been over there today and did take some off and we did think it was a bit quicker. But when I tried to install her Familytree maker 2010 we had problems so thinking it could be something I removed I enabled them all again. It didnt help still couldnt get the treemaker to open but I was so knackered I called it a day. Have another try another day.