Which programs need to be running on Windows 98 as there seems to be quite a LOT on start up. And how do i stop the ones i dont need from opening up from the start

      Are you experiencing slow downs?

SCAN for Spyware, Trojan Horsses and Viruses.No slow downs it just seems like a lot of programs running,how do i check for spy warePlease Read This First - Viruses & Spyware

There are links to useful articles and programs there that will explain you what Spyware, how to look for it and how to remove it.

If you experience no problems and you have scanned for Viruses, Trojan Horses and Spyware but still find there to be too many progams, post the entries here.

type > msconfig in the run box////start up tab...Programs running
EXPLORER             INSTANT ACCESS
CTFMON                DRAGDIAG
YPAGER                 SYCROAD
WEBRATES 0         STIMON
YBRWICON            SYSTRAY
YCOMMON             PTSNOOP    
MPBTN                   RNAAPP
MSBB                     WINSYNC
BARGINS                MWSOEMON
WATCH                  WEBRATES
CALCHECK
MBFIVXOEIn answer to your question, the bare minimum that should be on the Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Delete) are EXPLORER and SYSTRAY.

RNAAPP is a Windows file too, but it'll start up when it's needed. I just leave it to it's own devices and only close it if I'm installing something or if I need to do some troubleshooting. STIMON stands for Still Image MONITOR, and simply looks out for any activity in your scanner, and I think the ones beginning in 'Y' are to do with Yahoo!'s various services.

I don't know exactly what the rest are but some do look a BIT iffy - in particular BARGINS (sic) and WEBRATES. You did run the spyware scan, didn't you?