Pre-fetch folder

[Steve]

I have been finding that it is taking longer and longer for my pc to become
usable after logging in.

I have three user accounts on the machine and it is the same for all of
them. After login in I get the McAfee splash screen and the icon for McAfee
security centre appears in the task bar, the mouse cursor remains as a timer
for a few seconds and then reverts to an arrow. However, if I then move down
to 'start' ready to click it reverts to a timer showing that windows is
still doing something. It can then be another 45-60 seconds before the pc
is usable. Any attempt to click on a desktop before then means that the pc
takes even longer to be usable.


I has been suggested that windows may be loading items in the prefetch
folder that are no longer relevant and I should delete the contents of the
folder to force windows to rebuild it. Before I do can someone explain
exactly how these files work and any possible implications. The folder
contains 130 items date range 30/09/06 to today's date.

Sys info

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name HOMEPC
System Manufacturer MSI
System Model MS-7021
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1155 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. Version 07.00T, 02/04/2001
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180
(xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
Time Zone GMT Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory 768.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 422.04 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 1.83 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys



TIA

Steve

 

[Guest]

Deleting the entries in the Prefetch will very likely slow it down even
more. Prefetch is similar to shortcuts for quick access and if deleted
will just rebuild itself. You are probably loading too many apps at
boot time robbing your system of its resources. Go here:
Start>Run>type MSCONFIG and click OK>Startup tab
now look at all items that are checked and uncheck the ones you do
not need to load except for the AV app. Unchecking them does not
delete anything, all apps will work when clicking their icons. Reboot.
--
XP - WNP
Today is the first day of the
rest of your life.
If you find this response helpful,
rate it below.

 

[JS]

Use msconfig (Start/run/msconfig) or AutoRuns which will show you what is
loading down your PC.

Autoruns from SysInternals:
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Autoruns.html
This will show all apps/etc. that load/run when you first boot and
selectively allow you to stop any that you don't want.
Note: You may need to highlight an item (right click) and use the Google
option on some entries to get the details for more obscure items in the
list.

JS

 

[mikeyhsd]

feel free to delete the contents of the pre-fetch folder.
NO , absolutely NO dire consequences.
XP will immediately on nextboot start to add to pre-fetch folder again.



(e-mail address removed)



I have been finding that it is taking longer and longer for my pc to become
usable after logging in.

I have three user accounts on the machine and it is the same for all of
them. After login in I get the McAfee splash screen and the icon for McAfee
security centre appears in the task bar, the mouse cursor remains as a timer
for a few seconds and then reverts to an arrow. However, if I then move down
to 'start' ready to click it reverts to a timer showing that windows is
still doing something. It can then be another 45-60 seconds before the pc
is usable. Any attempt to click on a desktop before then means that the pc
takes even longer to be usable.


I has been suggested that windows may be loading items in the prefetch
folder that are no longer relevant and I should delete the contents of the
folder to force windows to rebuild it. Before I do can someone explain
exactly how these files work and any possible implications. The folder
contains 130 items date range 30/09/06 to today's date.

Sys info

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name HOMEPC
System Manufacturer MSI
System Model MS-7021
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1155 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. Version 07.00T, 02/04/2001
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180
(xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
Time Zone GMT Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory 768.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 422.04 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 1.83 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys



TIA

Steve