XP startup issue

[Seeker]

My Compaq laptop (R4000, AMD 1.8GHz, 736 MB RAM,HDD 5400 RPM) got a
slow startup for quite a while and I can't fix it. I tried msconfig
and only left Norton checked in the "startup" column. I even reduced
the timeout in Boot.ini from 30 sec to 3 sec. It still doesn't work.
After I typed in password and entered the windows interface, the
wallpaper was loaded for about 10 secs and the screen went to grey.
Then OS started to load icons in system tray one by one and in the
end, the wallpaper was reloaded. The whole procedure takes about 2
mins. I remember it was much faster before and the refreshing thing
for the wallpaper was new. Could it be caused by some adware? I tried
Norton and Windows defenders but got nothing.
Thanks for your help!
Ming

 

[Rock]

My Compaq laptop (R4000, AMD 1.8GHz, 736 MB RAM,HDD 5400 RPM) got a
slow startup for quite a while and I can't fix it. I tried msconfig
and only left Norton checked in the "startup" column. I even reduced
the timeout in Boot.ini from 30 sec to 3 sec. It still doesn't work.
After I typed in password and entered the windows interface, the
wallpaper was loaded for about 10 secs and the screen went to grey.
Then OS started to load icons in system tray one by one and in the
end, the wallpaper was reloaded. The whole procedure takes about 2
mins. I remember it was much faster before and the refreshing thing
for the wallpaper was new. Could it be caused by some adware? I tried
Norton and Windows defenders but got nothing.

Uncheck Norton as well. It's not inconceivable that's the source of the
problem or a contributing factor. Just make sure the system is not
connected to the internet.

Clean Boot Troubleshooting

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=316434

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310353

Personally I recommend you get rid of any Norton home security products.
There are better alternatives that are less resource heavy and less
problematic.

 

[Peter Foldes]

Seeker

I would follow the advice and links that Rock posted to you. The only reason that I am posting this is also to say Get Rid Of Norton. It can be causing your issue and also it is something that you do not need to add as a present and future problem to your computer.
There is many free programs like Norton that work just as well if not better and they are far less intrusive.
Programs like Avast,AVG,Nod32 and Karpensky and many more.

 

[Seeker]

Thanks, Rock and Peter. It IS Norton. Quite a dilemma. I've been using
it for quite a while.

 

[Rock]

Thanks, Rock and Peter. It IS Norton. Quite a dilemma. I've been using
it for quite a while.

You're welcome.