Thanks - WelshJim. Very helpful. I will check the sites out. I did manage to get in touch with Toshiba Techsupport this morning and they suggested the msconfig thing you show. They also suggested a system restore which I did.
I still get the program hanging when closing down so will check out the site you mention.

Whilst writing, I like to use a program called GhostSurf, (www.tenebril.com) have done for years, and installed the update last night before this nonstartup problem arose. When I did the system restore am I right in thinking it would not have included any programs I installed after the date chosen, which was two days ago?

How can I remove programs from my computer which are not shown on the ADD/REMOVE in Control Panel and the uninstall choice is missing from the files. As now when I start the computer up I get two error messages with the big red cross on the screen, and two panels on the bottom task bar showing error message one of which has the GhostSurf electricflash icon on it.

I hope you can help me. Thanks