Expert: Brian Benosky - 8/9/2011

Question
Hi Brian; I read that you addressed part of this Microsoft OneNote issue previously but you helped the fellow with Malware first and I could not follow the thread.
All of a sudden I have this Microsoft OneNote in my task bar as a program running in the background.  I don't know how it got there or why.  I don't want it.  
My computer is 5 yrs of (HP media Center m7480n) desk top.  It is constantly laboring and seems to be fighting for breath for want of a better explanation.  I have had a new power supply put in, have vacuumed and used compressed gas duster to make sure the fans and boards are clean.  I THINK I have too many programs running in the background and that is why the system is laboring.  Any thoughts and please advise how to get rid of the OneNote.  Thanks very much, Bonnie in St. Catharines, Ontario

Answer
Hi Bonnie

OneNote is not malware, but is a program related to Microsoft products such as Office.  It is used as a basic word processor.  If you don't use OneNote, open the Start Menu >> Open the Control Panel >> Add/Remove Programs >> navigate to the current version of Office you're using >> click either 'Change' or 'Remove/Uninstall' and remove OneNote.
As far as speeding up your system, I recommend adding as much RAM as your system can hold.  In your case, 4 GB is the max.  If you have the the original configuration, then you currently have 2 GB installed as 2 x 1 GB.  You should max this out with 4 x 1 GB.  You will need to look for 2 GB of PC2-4200 DDR2 RAM, similar to:
http://www.amazon.ca/Corsair-VS2GBKIT533D2-PC2-4200-240-pin-Channel/dp/B00069BVI
To whittle away the programs you don't need running, use a startup manager such as Autoruns for Windows:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
Instructions for it's use can also be found on that page.  Basically, you just run the program and look for your auto-start applications, highlight for information, then uncheck what you don't need.  
If you have further questions, just let me know.  Cheers!

Brian