Boot Up Problems

[Dave]

When I first turn on my computer, and it boots up, I get my screen to
appear, with all my desk top icons, and the programs that run at start up
show in my system task tray, all in about 30 seconds. So far everything is
just fine.
However, when I click on my internet connection icon, nothing at all happens
for a good 1/2 to 2 minutes . Also, the PC tower light continues to flash
during this time, and when my system is ready to use, I hear a grinding
noise
and that is my clue that it is now ready to use. What is that about?
This has only been happening for about the last few weeks. I only have 6
services that load at start up, and only three of them running in the
background. Those are my system speakers, my internet security, and my pest
patrol.
If I reboot, the same thing happens.
I researched the problem in the help center, and I find no clues. One guy
suggests the bootvis tool, and one of the MVP's advised that tool doesn't
speed up boot time, it merely gives a visualization of what happens during
boot up.
I am used to being able to use this machine after about 30 seconds of
waiting for the boot up or reboot up time to complete.
I have no idea what could have caused my system to have slowed down so much.
I run Norton internet security 2004, pest patrol, spybot s & d, and I also
perform my regular maintenance procedures. I bought this computer just 16
months ago.
Considering that I have no viruses, no adware, and no spybot problems, does
anyone have a clue what could be the problem and how to correct it?

Thanks very much for your expert reply's.

Dave

 

[Guest]

----- Dave wrote: ----
Also, the PC tower light continues to flash during this time, and when my system is ready to use, I hear a grindin
noise..

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the grinding noise you hear is from the hard drive and that's not a good sign. It might mean the drive is about break or is damaged and you might want to backup your data, just to be sure.