Programs wait a minute before they open, lagging computer on startup.

[jeremy]

When I log into Windows, AIM and other programs load up
fine. My Intel PROset client and McAfee VirusScan's seem
to wait a minute or so before they load into Windows
(during that time, I can talk on AIM and open folders and
whatnot up, but if I try to do anything fancy, that
program ceases to finish running). Also-Internet
Explorer opens, but doesn't establish a connection.

Once McAfee loads up(as well as the other programs),
everything happens at once, and my computer runs like
normal.

During the frozen time, the CPU is running from 0-6% or
so. Nothing seems to be abnormal.

Specs...
Windows XP Pro
1.6 GHz Pentium M
528 MB DDR SDRAM

It's not an issue of the laptop being too slow. It only
started happening more recently.

Any idea how to stop this or find out what's happening?

Thanks.

 

[SCOTT]

I sure hope we get an answer. My computer has been on for
15 minutes and still hasn't finished loading the system
tray lint.

 

[jeremy]

bump?

 

[Malke]

bump?

On the software side, I'd install and scan with spyware removal tools
Spybot Search & Destroy (www.security.kolla.de) and Ad-aware
(www.lavasoftusa.com). Be sure to update the programs before running
them, and then run them in Safe Mode. On the hardware side, you may be
having overheating problems. Laptops are particularly prone to this. If
this is the case, aside from doing normal commonsense things like maybe
finding a way to elevate the laptop (laptop "racks" or "coolers" are
sold, but you could improvise to test), you'll have to contact the
laptop mftr. for tech support. Another thing to look at is your RAM.
You can test RAM by downloading the precompiled Windows binary at
www.memtest86.com. You'll make a bootable floppy, boot with it (set
your laptop to boot from the floppy drive first if you need to), and
let the test run for an extended period, like overnight. If there are
errors, replace the RAM with the proper kind for your laptop.

After you've done the troubleshooting, if you still need help then
please post back. Don't forget to include information about what you've
already done.

Malke