Programs load very slow; also error msg

[Grant Klein]

When I try to run programs, even simple ones like
Notepad, it takes a long time for them to load. Once they
are running the programs operate normally.

I ran the machine in safe mode and everything loaded
quickly. I ran it with networking enabled and it slowed
back down again, although it didn't seem to be quite as
bad as when booting normally.

I have noticed that if I, say, try loading a text file
with Notepad, during the long delay if I then try to open
Explorer, I get the following error:

"Windows cannot find 'null.' Make sure you typed the name
correctly, and then try again. To search for a file,
click the Start button, and then click Search."

I am running a 1 GHz processor with 384 MB RAM. The
operating system is XP Pro which was upgraded from Win ME.

I have run these various programs in order to clean my
system but none of them helped solve the problem:
Norton Systemworks (including AntiVirus, WinDoctor,
DiskDoctor and Speedisk), WinPatrol, Spybot, and Ad-Aware.

Thanks,
Grant Klein

 

[Guest]

Spyware/Virus Removal and Prevention:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/windowsxpsolutions.htm
(Links to online virus scans on the same page)

How to optimize Windows XP, 2000, ME
for the best performance (Step-by-step Visual Guide):
http://www.fixyourwindows.com

Good Luck!

 

[CecilWilliams]

When I try to run programs, even simple ones like
Notepad, it takes a long time for them to load. Once they
are running the programs operate normally.

I've been having this problem for a while as well, but it seems that I
have just now fixed it. Notepad, Explorer, Word, all opened slowly.
5-6 seconds for Notepad, not all that long but this is with a fresh
clean install of WinXP Pro on a formatted hard drive, in an effort to
fix this problem.

I ran the machine in safe mode and everything loaded
quickly. I ran it with networking enabled and it slowed
back down again, although it didn't seem to be quite as
bad as when booting normally.

Runs faster with networking disabled seems to be the clue here. I
didn't try it myself, but have read other similar reports - disconnect
the network cable, and the apps open normally.

I have run these various programs in order to clean my
system but none of them helped solve the problem:
Norton Systemworks (including AntiVirus, WinDoctor,
DiskDoctor and Speedisk), WinPatrol, Spybot, and Ad-Aware.
Thanks, Grant Klein

It appears that the cause of the problem, in my case and at least one
other that I have just read about, is obsolete (and seemingly
unrelated) network references in the registry. My problem was caused
by a Eudora email registry entry - How? Because, after I did a clean
install of Win XP, I copied my Eudora folder back to my hard drive,
and re-installed Eudora into the Program Files/Qualcomm/Eudora folder
(where I keep my email). This preserved my existing mail boxes and
also very politely re-used the entries in the old Eudora setup and
config files. Apparently including one reference to our old file
server that was retired last year... Deleting this one entry from my
Windows registry apparently has solved my problem with Notepad, Word
and Explorer opening slowly. Notepad now jumps open as soon as I click
the icon. As it should.

In my case, the bad registry entry was:

HKEY_USERS
S-1-5-21-861567501-115176313-682003330-9835
SOFTWARE
QUALCOMM
EUDORA
LAUNCHMANAGER
PATH#1 - obsolete & bad path to old server was here


I simply deleted this entry and now all seems to be well. You will
probably need to search your registry for other invalid network path
type entries, beginning with \\machinename or some drive letter type
path "Z:" (substitute any drive letter you might have ever used)

Good luck,

- Cecil

 

[Guest]

Thanks!!!!!!!
My computer works great now

I've been having this problem for a while as well, but it seems that I
have just now fixed it. Notepad, Explorer, Word, all opened slowly.
5-6 seconds for Notepad, not all that long but this is with a fresh
clean install of WinXP Pro on a formatted hard drive, in an effort to
fix this problem.


Runs faster with networking disabled seems to be the clue here. I
didn't try it myself, but have read other similar reports - disconnect
the network cable, and the apps open normally.


It appears that the cause of the problem, in my case and at least one
other that I have just read about, is obsolete (and seemingly
unrelated) network references in the registry. My problem was caused
by a Eudora email registry entry - How? Because, after I did a clean
install of Win XP, I copied my Eudora folder back to my hard drive,
and re-installed Eudora into the Program Files/Qualcomm/Eudora folder
(where I keep my email). This preserved my existing mail boxes and
also very politely re-used the entries in the old Eudora setup and
config files. Apparently including one reference to our old file
server that was retired last year... Deleting this one entry from my
Windows registry apparently has solved my problem with Notepad, Word
and Explorer opening slowly. Notepad now jumps open as soon as I click
the icon. As it should.

In my case, the bad registry entry was:

HKEY_USERS
S-1-5-21-861567501-115176313-682003330-9835
SOFTWARE
QUALCOMM
EUDORA
LAUNCHMANAGER
PATH#1 - obsolete & bad path to old server was here


I simply deleted this entry and now all seems to be well. You will
probably need to search your registry for other invalid network path
type entries, beginning with \\machinename or some drive letter type
path "Z:" (substitute any drive letter you might have ever used)

Good luck,

- Cecil