Slow boot, slow reactions, slow computer user...

  • Thread starter Thread starter tbanwell
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T

tbanwell

I am posting this message not because I am stuck, but because I don't
know where to begin. My laptop has Windows XP and a small army of
those pesky little problems that aren't even worth mentioning here. I
figured it was time for a complete reinstall, but a new crop of issues
has hindered my progress.

Thing is, the laptop suddenly started to boot rather slowly. It
remains on the XP splash screen for 4 or 5 minutes. I mean, don't get
me wrong, the splash screen is beautiful, but this seems excessive.
Once the computer (finally) gets going, some mouse clicks take more
than a minute to register and menus take 30 seconds to roll out. Call
me impatient, but I don't think that it will be possible to complete a
backup of my files if the computer is in this condition.

The problem is, like I said, I don't know where to start. I have no
clue what could be causing these problems. The only thing I have tried
to do is disable the splash screen in hopes of seeing what is causing
the delay (added \SOS in the boot.ini file), but I didn't see anything
enlightening.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Starting points? Humorous anecdotes?
 
1) ensure you virtual memory/pagefile is not set to none. I recommend you
set it to manual with 2 min and 750 max. then


2) click start, run and type in msconfig -go to start up tab and disable
all (at least temporarily for now). them reboot
if you still got a problem then

look for and download a freeware called cacheman. It will reset the caches
for the icons, file table, etc... Reboot and see what happens....

probably wouldn't hurt to download and use a tunerupper like
systemmechanic....Has many more options than described above....
 
Dbben said:
1) ensure you virtual memory/pagefile is not set to none. I
recommend you set it to manual with 2 min and 750 max. then
Click to expand...


2MB isn't a bad mimum, but there's no need to restrict the maximum to 750MB.
I'd make it as large as it will go. A large setting for the maxiumm can
never hurt you and may sometimes be needed.

For more information, read this article by the late MVP, Alex Nichol,
"Virtual Memory in Windows XP," at http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm

2) click start, run and type in msconfig -go to start up tab and
disable all (at least temporarily for now). them reboot
if you still got a problem then
Click to expand...


Disabling everything will disable his anti-virus program and other security
software, and is *extremely* dangerous advice. *Selective* disabling of
autostarting programs can be a useful tyrouble-shooting technique, but only
if you understand exactly what you're disabling and what the implications of
its not being there are.

look for and download a freeware called cacheman. It will reset the
caches for the icons, file table, etc... Reboot and see what
happens....
Click to expand...


Cacheman is a pile of crap that will *hurt* his performance.

probably wouldn't hurt to download and use a tunerupper like
systemmechanic....Has many more options than described above....
Click to expand...


Most "tuneruppers" are also piles of crap. This one contains many things
that range from useless (like defragging memory) to outright dangerous (like
optimizing the registry). I recommend staying far away from this and similar
programs.
 
hmm?

Granted they may not work for everyone on everything, but they cleared up
similar symptoms that I had, thus I made these suggestions to someone who
may not have a clue.

Hopefully, others will provide some suggestions as well.
 
To DatabaseBen.
Please set your replies to include the original message so that we can follow the topic.
 
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