If I can just offer my opinion here
I wouldn't recommend ever disabling every item in the Notification Area (System Tray). A firewall for example, whilst surfing, this is a definite must, for security purposes of course
Always check before you disable something, you may disable the wrong thing
Regards.
DJM.
Windows XP SP2 has a built in Firewall. If you have a 3rd party Firewall such as Norton, you are just wasting system resources. Unless you go to sites that make you wish you did have a stronger Firewall.
I agree with you DJM, I was just throwing out some suggestions to try and get the software running at an acceptable frame rate. Don't disable everything, but don't try and keep a music player or something else running while trying to play SS 2008. I just don't think the Mobility Radeon is going to cut it. Much like my Nvidia GeForce Go 5200 wouldn't cut it in SS 2006.
I fix so many computers with Windows Messenger, Adobe Speed Launch, Sound Contol Panels, Winamp, Yahoo, and 20 gazillon other things that run at startup with a nice little icon in the system tray. I love the look I get from people when I tell them WeatherBug is Malware. You want weather? WeatherUnderground, I'll make you a shortcut and put it on your desktop.
Want to tweak your services?
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
If you go down the SAFE column, you will gain some speed and *shouldn't* have any adverse effects.
Caveat emptor: Tweaking your system should be left to professionals. Like me.