Very very slow boot

[M Skabialka]

My five year old production computer is starting to take longer and longer
to boot. I turn it on, see the manufacturer's logo, then the screen goes
completely black for about five minutes. Then the Windows XP Pro Please
wait... window comes up for a minute or two, I log on and wait about another
three minutes before I can actually get any applications started. So by
then 10 - 15 minutes have gone by.

Nothing seems ununsual in msconfig under startup, though there are a lot of
entries.

I have run all the usual anti- virus and spyware programs, deleted temp
files, moved lots of files onto an external drive, run defrag, chkdsk /f,
etc.

What is my next step in speeding up the boot process? It used to take under
30 seconds.

Thanks,
Mich

 

[Ted Zieglar]

If you're convinced that your computer is 100% free of any trace of virus or
spyware; and you're satisfied with the number and nature of programs
starting with Windows; and you're satisfied with the way you maintain your
computer; the next step is to upgrade your hardware or (more cost-effective)
buy a new computer.

 

[M Skabialka]

Not in the budget! Maybe next year, but I need help with this problem now.
e.g. what is happening during the period my screen is back? Is there a way
to log the boot process and see what is taking so long?