Linux or Mac systems aren't a solution if you don't know anything about them. If you can't stop startup menu items, I don't care what os you use it's not going to work as well as one that you take the time to understand and control.
I think it is vista that will be obsolete in three months. I have a few friends who have vista and they hate it. Vista needs too much memory just to run, takes forever to start up and it is not compatible with anything (not to mention other constant glitches). Sorry I am no, “computer geek” as you put it so I do not know how to fix your problem. All I can tell you is that the people I know who do/did have Vista are/have switching/ed back to XP. I am sure that comment will get people to help you. I may not be a “computer geek” but at least I know better than to insult the people I am trying to get help from.