Dimension 8400 Dell Media Experience background launch causing conflicts, cannot turn off

You should be able to go into the Dell Media Edition and uncheck the default file types it's associated with.  That will stop it from auto launching on certain file types.  I don't have that program, is it the same as the MusicMatch Jukebox?  I know MMJB has user selectable options for which media types it will be the default media player.  The same way with other media players such as Windows Media Player.  However, some programs such as Quictime and RealOne (Real Player) tend to "take over" the PC and cause many conflicts.

Thanks for the suggestion, but if you go into DME under start/programs, you pull up a series of what are basically ads; it does not show up under Program Files. I think another issue is that this Dell came with a lot of media programs that compete with each other and are on a 'trial basis' -- radio, DVD/CD, music maker, photos, video, etc. -- and there are also standard XP extensions that do the same. The trial ones keep reminding you to 'register' -- for a fee. Problem then is DME itself launching, but these others launch, too, but I'm not sure as to which to just uninstall. But DME is definitely the one causing the system freezes.

My brother played pedal steel professionally a long time ago. Of course, back then, you could program your own computer, resolder the board to change connections, and add your own chips.