xp taking hours to boot

[AndyN]

I'm having trouble even trying any solutions that I've used in the past to
resolve performance problems because it runs so slowly that anything I try
doesn't repond. Do I need to reinstall?

 

[Daave]

I'm having trouble even trying any solutions that I've used in the
past to
resolve performance problems because it runs so slowly that anything I
try
doesn't repond. Do I need to reinstall?

Here are the most common causes for PC slowness:

1. Malicious software (malware)

2. Certain programs that are designed to combat malware (e.g., Norton
and McAfee). Ironically, they can slow things down because they simply
use way too many resources. Sometime they cause conflicts with other
programs. And their default mode is to scan your entire hard drive each
time you boot up.

3. Too many of *certain types* of programs always running in the
background -- with or without your knowledge.

Use these sites to determine what these programs are and to learn how to
configure them not to always run at startup:

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

Sometimes it is recommended to use msconfig to configure the programs to
not run at startup. A better, more thorough program is Autoruns:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

4. Not enough RAM, which causes the PC to overly rely on the pagefile. A
quick way to determine if this is happening is to open Task Manager
(Ctrl+Alt+Del) and click the Performance tab. Then note the three values
under Commit Charge (K): in the lower left-hand corner: Total, Limit,
and Peak.

The Total figure represents the amount of memory you are using at that
very moment. The Peak figure represents the highest amount of memory you
used since last bootup. If both these figures are below the value of
Physical Memory (K) Total, then you probably have plenty of RAM.
Otherwise, you may want to explore this further by running Page File
Monitor for Windows XP:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm

5. You might also want to check that your hard drive's access mode
didn't change from DMA to PIO:

http://www.technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

and

http://users.bigpond.net.au/ninjaduck/itserviceduck/udma_fix/

 

[AndyN]

Thanks Daave. My first thought had been malware and then too much stuff
running on startup, but whatever the problem I'm having trouble getting
anything to work in Windows. Is there any way to try to resolve these issues
prior to windows starting?

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Thanks Daave. My first thought had been malware and then too much stuff
running on startup, but whatever the problem I'm having trouble getting
anything to work in Windows. Is there any way to try to resolve these
issues
prior to windows starting?

Unplug the network cable.

Start in Safe Mode, and use MSCONFIG to examine and disable whatever isn't
needed. Many apps and services won't start in Safe Mode so you can get
more control of the system.

But, If there is malware, and it's a possibility, it's helpful to remove the
drive, attach it to another system - I use USB2 drive cases and adapters for
this - and do a virus and malware scan. This can be extremely
beneficial; since the drive didn't boot, the malware didn't launch and isn't
trying to evade the scans.

While you have the drive out, clear out all the temp and temporary internet
files folders. Empty the recycle bin and defragment the drive.

Put the drive back in and boot. If you suddenly get "cannot find file"
messages, it's very likely that the system was infected, you've cleared most
of it out, and now have to remove the launcher references. Again msconfig
is a big help here.

HTH
-pk

 

[Daave]

I like Patrick's answer.

The Sysytem Configuration Utility can be very helpful. Follow the
directions here to try a "clean boot":

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

By using process of elimination, you should be able to determine any
problematic resource hogs.

Of course, you need to rule out malware first. Here's a great guide:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Viruses_Malware

 

[Gerry]

Andy

Are there any problems indicated in the System and Application logs?

Please post copies of all Error and Warning Reports appearing in the
System and Application logs in Event Viewer relating to the last boot in
normal mode . No Information Reports or Duplicates please. Indicate
which also appear in a previous boot.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning
of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description
are important.

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double
click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which appears is a
button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event
Viewer.Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the body of
the message. Make sure this is the first paste after exiting from
Event Viewer.

Is the problem the time to boot to desktop or lack of responsiveness
after the deskstop has loaded?

I would be interested in seeing a Disk Defragmenter report . Open Disk
Defragmenter and click on Analyse. Select View Report and click on Save
As and Save. Now find VolumeC.txt in your My Documents Folder and post a
copy. Do this before running Disk Defragmenter as it is more
informative.

Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp to
Empty your Recycle Bin and Remove Temporary Internet Files. Also
select Start, All Programs, accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp,
More Options, System Restore and remove all but the latest System
Restore point. Run Disk Defragmenter.

Otherwise Daave has given you an excellent list of points to work
through.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~