I am using windows xp and I can go to the misconfig-startup and stop programs from loading at start, but when it reboots, they come back. Why and is there anything I can do about it?

Sounds like you are trying to stop services in msconfig, go to Start/Run, type in Services.msc OK that and find the service you are trying to stop and Disable it in there. Don't disable too many at the one time as you may cause problems and not know which one caused it

   Some programs when they are run check to see if they are in Startup.  If they are not, they will reenter themselves.  In this case, you will see both the unchecked entry that you unchecked and a new entry which is checked.  Viruses are notorious for doing this.  The solution is to remove the virus or the program.