Slow, slow startup

well-medicated

Thanks for that, boylard.

The machine was used in a classroom, but is no longer used for that so internet/network not used. It might be used for that purpose again at some tome in the future, so I'm loathe to remove any of the software programs installed by the owner. So I have removed AV and firewall software, and I've run superantispyware, ccleaner, spybot S&D, spywareblaster, tuneup utilities, smart defrag [as well as the inbuilt defragmenter] and ran memtest 3.8 just to see if the memory was ok.

Also ran msconfig and scannow /rfc.

The problem did appear to start overnight - it didn't get slower over time. It was working perfectly well, and then it wasn't. That's why I think that some small person might have banged or dropped it. But no confessions are forthcoming.

I'm still working on a 10min start. Once the desktop opens, everything runs in good time.

W_M

asininity

SmartDefrags ok, defraggler isn't bad either though it crashes some machines, down to personel preference.

Cleanmem is good, it only flushes stuff that hasn't been used in a long while freeing up space. It doesn't work like other memory cleaners that do nothing but force windows to free up memory by using up all the available memory. Doing that causes your system to lag.

posted_2

IMO all these defrag this that and the other programs make no difference to speed, the problem is elsewhere, the more stuff you install to try and diagnose, the slower it will be, cleanmem also will make no difference to boot time, (many AV's detect it as a virus - probably false positive). The reason I asked about IE, was you had some strange tcpip entries in your hijackthis log, and didn't explain that this wasn't on the internet. Has zonealarm gone?

Look in the event log to see what happens at boot - a drop on the floor will only make it slower if your hard disk happens to be damaged. The easiest way to fix it is to backup data, and reinstall windows and programs, or do a system restore to the point where it worked.

asininity

Windows is messy, it doesn't clean up after itself, it needs occasional defrags, (running defrags in the background will slow everything up however). If the install has been running for a long time without one then a defrag of the pagefile, hard drive and the registry will make a big difference.

CleanMem I use because I have a small amount of memory and I've noticed it made a difference over a protracted period of time. Like I mentioned it doesn't run all the time so take up no resources except when it runs. It cant hurt.

Cleaning the registry up will make things run faster cos it gets rid of useless entries left behind by badly progamed apps.

Getting rid of temp files and other files that aren't needed will speed up the computer as well. So will unistalling programs you dont use.

Programs like winpatrol speed up boot times because they control what starts and when.

All of the above if done on a computer thats never had anything like it done before will speed it up.

The only other thing left to do it make sure its free of nasties with a decent security suite of apps and its as fast as it can be.

Reinstalling windows is a last resort because it takes so long to do.

posted_2

If you did a before and after test with a stopwatch, you'd notice no difference. Installing windows 1-2 hours.

asininity

I noticed a difference, was 10 mins to boot my mrs's netbook, slow program starts, etc. Very annoying.

Now I'm not talking lightening speed but it boots in less than a minute and with less processes running programs start faster than before. Defragged hard drive is more efficient. Noticeable difference.

If I wanted lightening speed I'd use linux, but she don't like it.

basmic

If never ran on a machine before, BootVis can make a lot of difference to startup times. I've seen major speed increases in startup times after using it.

asininity

Please see:

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/sysperf/fastboot/default.mspx

Particularly this bit:

Please note that Bootvis.exe is not a tool that will improve boot/resume performance for end users. Contrary to some published reports, Bootvis.exe cannot reduce or alter a system's boot or resume performance. The boot optimization routines invoked by Bootvis.exe are built into Windows XP. These routines run automatically at pre-determined times as part of the normal operation of the operating system.

Winpatrol is the answer or for more advanced users autoruns. Maybe even Startup Control Panel. Besides which the Bootvis available for download hasn't been updated since 2003.

basmic

Bootvis has improved bootup times on many XP machines I have used it on. I won't argue, because I have no proof - but I know for a fact that there are some happier XP users I know of.

I'm not impressed by WinPatrol, either. It doesn't really seem to do much, and that's with the pro version I accquired!

Best way to speed up any computer, is remove all unused programs, delete temporary files, run a registry cleaner, defrag then run BootVis. If you don't see any speed increase that, I'll eat my keyboard. :rotfl:

well-medicated

Posted - I agree with you. If I don't sort this within the next hour or two, then it's backup and reinstall. I'm just organising some software to transfer the drive to a portable HD - as cheaply as possible.

Before I do, Zonealarm has gone. And if I do get it going without a reinstall and then want to connect to the internet again, what should I do about the IE settings you asked about? How do I get those?

And the Log event you mentioned - how do I get that for you? The system restore isn't an option. The machine hasn't been used in 18 months, there are no restore points.

Thanks.