The following is for hard-core windows users, or the exceedingly daring. If it looks like gibberish, pretend like you didn't see it and go here (and chuckle at the goofs who think this kind of thing is vital).

To backup your registry before editing:

• Start|Run|REGEDIT
• Registry|Export
• save to a floppy (preferred), or to a handy folder (or make one called BACKUP)
  • then type in some appropriate file-name (for example, RegBackup-2000-05-15)
• close the RegEdit program

Locations of bootup programs (and a couple of bonus references):

• Items in the StartUp folder
  • Go to Start/Settings/TaskBar
  • choose the StartMenuPrograms file tab
  • choose Advanced
  • double-click Programs
  • scroll down to StartUp
• Start|Run|SysEdit   (items in)
  • CONFIG.SYS
  • AUTOEXEC.BAT
  • WIN.INI
    • load=
    • run=
    • (even a comma at the end of these lines will open Windows Explorer)
• Items in the Registry:
  • Start|Run|REGEDIT
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER
    • Software|Microsoft|Windows|CurrentVersion
      • Run
      • RunOnce
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
    • Software|Microsoft|Windows|CurrentVersion
      • Run
      • RunOnce
      • RunServices
      • RunServicesOnce
      • RegisteredOrganization
        • (this is where you find the name of the person/company Windows is registered to)
    • Software | find your product | ProductID
      • the 2 middle number-strings are your CD Key (for many programs)
      • or try Key finder

For more, see: Win95 Tips or Win98 tips. Also: Instructions on making your own animated startup logo; or, just find one.