when i restart windows vista i get a message that goes something like this "socketxcntrl failed to load please make sure the program you are using is up to date"does anybody know what this means and how serious is it?

Is this the correct spelling? socketxcntrl

no it's "socketctl" any clue?

This is most likely a program that starts up automatically on your computer not being able to open a socket to somewhere. I would check your computer for malware:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic34773.html