Windows load time is slow

[Dom]

Hi all

I posted this on 09/10/2006:

"I have a client's PC that's giving a strange problem. After the
Windows
XP splash screen (the one with the little blue bar that goes from left
to right) has come up, the screen goes blank for probably 45-50
seconds, before you see the Welcome screen.

Also, once in Windows, doing certain things like switching between open
Excel spreadsheets and Word documents will cause the PC to lag somewhat
irritatingly.

The Event Viewer has nothing abnormal showing, and there's no
spyware\adware\viruses.

The PC's specs are: Celeron 2.0 GHz, 768 MB DDR400 RAM, ASRock GE Pro
M2 mobo, 40GB 5400RPM HDD "

The only suggestion was to ensure that no Norton or McAfee products are
loaded on the PC in question.

This PC is standalone, so no AV has had to be loaded. Also, the Windows
install on this PC was very recently re-done (full format and reload).

Anyone else have any suggestions for what might cause the problem
outlined? The client keeps nagging me to fix the problem (but I'm not
sure what to do!)

PS: Excuse the blank message preceding this one... hit Enter too
hastily

 

[Guest]

First, the statement "This PC is standalone, so no AV has had to be loaded"
is the most redundant statement I've ever encountered in the PC world.
No matter how you use the PC, the AV is an extreme neccesssity.....period.
You can get a FREE one here if you need it, and do it today:
AVG (Anti-virus) free for home PC
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/Get+AVG+FREE/lng/us/tpl/v5
Note: Do not run more than one AV on your system at any time.
Next: Go to Start>Run>type MSCONFIG and click OK>click the
Startup tab and see what is checked. You can uncheck any and all
which will disable but not delete any program from starting during boot.
All programs work by clicking their respective icon. Disabling them from
the startup will free much of your system resources and run quicker. Do
not uncheck the AV and probably should be the only one checked. This
information is provided by PCWorld magazine if you have any questions.
--
XP - WNP
Today is the first day of the
rest of your life.
If you find this response helpful,
rate it below.

 

[Dom]

The user never puts any media into the system, plus the Windows install
is new as mentioned. How is it going to get infected with a virus?
However, I will load avast! should an AV be required...

Thanks for the advice all the same, I will check what's loading at
startup.

Also, the weird thing is that the PC was fine when I had it in my
workshop. Only after getting it back to the client's premises, did this
happen.

 

[Dom]

I had another look at the PC in question yesterday, and as a matter of
interest, quite a few of the capacitors on the mainboard are either
leaking a little, or have bulging tops.

Could this have something to do with the problem?

 

[Guest]

Maybe, I'm not an electrician. Maybe take it to a repair shop,
especially if it still under warranty.
--
XP - WNP
Today is the first day of the
rest of your life.
If you find this response helpful,
rate it below.

 

[Joe Wright]

I had another look at the PC in question yesterday, and as a matter of
interest, quite a few of the capacitors on the mainboard are either
leaking a little, or have bulging tops.

Could this have something to do with the problem?

This site would certainly have you believe so.

http://www.badcaps.com/

You didn't have the owner's printer attached at your shop. I wonder if
that could be causing the delay.