"Loading Preferences" after I enter my user password can sometimes
take an annoying length of time on my XP SP2 PC. Where can I find a
list of the "preferences" it is loading so that I can remove some I
may no longer need.
Assuming this is a non-domain computer:
Start>Run>msconfig [enter]
This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup
tab and find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name,
Apply and OK out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next
time you do you'll get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just
tick the box that says in effect, "don't bother me about this again".
Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop
processes. Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not
stop any services unless you really, really know what you're doing.
How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx - Autoruns
If this is a domain member computer, your DNS is probably set wrong.
If you need more help, please post back with a better description of
your computer, the answer to The First Question of Troubleshooting
(what changed between the time things worked and the time they
didn't?), and exactly when you see this "Loading Preferences". I
assumed you meant this happened after you put in your
username/password for Windows, but my assumption could be incorrect.
Perhaps you're talking about a website or a program.
Malke
