When I boot my Toshiba laptop running Windows XP, an application error comes up (0xc0000006), with "tfswctrl.ex" in the corner, along with a error report dialogue saying that Synaptic TouchPad Enhancements nees to close. When I click "ok' on the ap error and 'don't send' on the error report, my laptop slows to a crawl, nearly feezing.

What could be the problem here?

Hmmm...I'd like you to do a pre-work (link below) please. That message can be related to virus or malware activity also.

Incidentally, is this an HP laptop?

Could you also please list the contents of your msconfig / startup tab?

Actually, I took a guess and uninstalled the Synaptic Pointing Device driver, and now everything is fine, as I use a USB mouse anyways.