Startup on Windows XP home

[Tom]

Just this last monday I noticed that during a restart or
bootup that my computer has begun doing something strange.

The computer boots up just like it always does. The
strange part comes after the "Welcome" screen shows, the
desktop appears, the icons become active, after I can
open up programs and start working. Then about 2 minutes
after the desktop appears, the Windows XP startup music
plays. I have since discovered in an attempt to see what
is possibly delaying it I discovered that I cannot open
Windows Task Manager until the music plays.

What's going on? Help!
-tom

 

[Peter Hutchison]

Just this last monday I noticed that during a restart or
bootup that my computer has begun doing something strange.

The computer boots up just like it always does. The
strange part comes after the "Welcome" screen shows, the
desktop appears, the icons become active, after I can
open up programs and start working. Then about 2 minutes
after the desktop appears, the Windows XP startup music
plays. I have since discovered in an attempt to see what
is possibly delaying it I discovered that I cannot open
Windows Task Manager until the music plays.

Sounds like a program is using up a lot of CPU time after loading
Windows desktop. You can see what programs are auto loaded via
MSCONFIG.EXE program under Startup tab.

Peter Hutchison
Windows FAQ
http://www.pcguru.plus.com/