The computer helper: Vista startup and shutdown woes

Washington - You shouldn't have to think a lot about how your computer starts up or shuts down. But that was before Windows Vista.

Microsoft's latest operating system sometimes has users scratching their heads in confusion when, for example, Vista takes five minutes to boot up or wants you to re-learn a procedure for something as simple as shutting down your operating system or putting it to sleep.

Call it the price of progress. Whatever the reason, with a little know-how you can overcome any startup/shutdown blues and get back to concentrating on productivity.