4 minutes to get online !! what are my options?

macman

OK, so it's not your broadband or router (laptop is OK via wireless), it's not a wireless problem (you are connecting by ethernet).
Couple of quick things to try-plug the ethernet cable into a different port on the router and see if any difference. Then connect your laptop to the router using the ethernet cable (switch off the wireless function first). If still OK then that rules out a dodgy ethernet cable or port-so problem must be on the PC.
I would suspect possible virus/spyware infection-what security are you using on it? Follow RIK's advice to check and clean it.
Other possibilities are lack of hard disk space, or more likely lack of memory-how much RAM do you have installed? A 6 year old PC probably has no more than 256MB unless it has been upgraded. XP really needs a minimum of 512MB, and preferably 1GB.
Also please advise if your Windows Updates are current-are you running XP SP2 or SP3?
Browser malfunction? If you are using Explorer, (not good), then download and run Firefox to see if that improves things.
Work your way through that lot and report back.

posted_2

My guess would be bloated applications running at startup causing swapping, or malware, or software firewall issues if you have a 3rd party firewall. Backing up your data, and restoring the laptop to factory settings should cure it.

macman

You've got loads of free disk space, but 256MB is totally inadequate for running XP these days.
Give us the make and model and can give you an approx idea of the cost of a RAM upgrade. AMD Athlon is the type of processor, we need the brand of computer, eg Dell Dimension 3150 etc.
Also please confirm if it's running XP, XP SP2, XP SP3 etc. It's on the same tab that you got the processor and RAM info from.

whizzkid_3

thanks guys. i'm short of time tonight but will post more info in the morning. i appreciate your help so far !!

Rock_Bottom

Click on All Programs>Accessories>Run

Type in "msconfig" (without quotes) then click "OK"



In the next window that appears, click on the Startup tab.


Then click on the Disable all button.


You can then tick any boxes for programs you want to run at startup, or, you can enable all again at any time by clicking on the Enable all button.


Now click on the Services tab and tick the box next to "Hide all Microsoft services"


Untick any boxes for services you don't want to run. Click "Apply" then "OK" .... Restart computer.


P.S. Stopping programs from running at Startup does not delete them, games etc. will have a shortcut icon to restart them.