Programs load slowly after boot up

[Guest]

I’m having a problem with occasional slow start up after the desk top has
opened. Windows loads as it always has but any program from the desk top
opens slow as molasses. I’ve had the computer for 3 years and this started
just after I installed Explorer7 then got worse when I installed Windows
Media Player 11. Now I don’t dare turn my computer off as it takes many
restarts to get it running properly. Eventually, it does, however, now I’m
beginning to notice slowed down reaction time in opening programs and
switching between programs. I do regular file maintenance, defragmenting,
registry clean-up, etc. and there seems to be no hard drive problems. Any
suggestions?

 

[DL]

Using a registry cleaner is not maintenance, its a recipe for problems, for
the uninitiated.
1) Presumably you've scanned your sys with an up-to-date AV app?
2) You've run several malaware apps?
3) Have NOT been using winupdate for drivers?
4) Used msconfig to disable all start-ups, then tested?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm having a problem with occasional slow start up after the desk top
has opened. Windows loads as it always has but any program from the
desk top opens slow as molasses. I've had the computer for 3 years
and this started just after I installed Explorer7 then got worse when
I installed Windows Media Player 11. Now I don't dare turn my
computer off as it takes many restarts to get it running properly.
Eventually, it does, however, now I'm beginning to notice slowed down
reaction time in opening programs and switching between programs. I
do regular file maintenance, defragmenting, registry clean-up, etc.
and there seems to be no hard drive problems. Any suggestions?

Defragging is good, but registry clean-up is bad. I always recommend
*against* the routine use of registry cleaners. Routine cleaning of the
registry isn't needed and is dangerous. Leave the registry alone and don't
use a registry cleaner. Despite what many people think, and what vendors of
registry cleaning software try to convince you of, having unused registry
entries doesn't really hurt you.

The risk of a serious problem caused by a registry cleaner erroneously
removing an entry you need is far greater than any potential benefit it may
have.

I don't know that the registry cleaning is what is causing your problem
(probably not), but you would be well advised to stop doing this.

These days the most common cause for performance issues is malware
infestation. The first thing to do is always to be sure you are free of
malware. I recommend that you go to Malke's Malware Removal site at
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware and follow
the instructions there.

 

[DL]

see link in Ken's post

Dear DL,
i have this problem as well.I donot use registry cleaner but defrag and
clean up on regular basis.ihave laptop wid T2600 duo and 2gb ram.It would be
of great help to me if you can tell me how to follow your suggestions.I would
be grateful if you can explain the steps to perform those actions