Sudden change in start up time

Basic system details: AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2400 MHz 4600+, 2GB ram, 500GB disk, Windows XP Home SP3 fully updated, Avast anti virus, Windows Firewall, Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, Spybot S&D, Adaware and Autoruns.

For about 10 days now my machine has started to take an inordinate amount of time to start up - around 3 to 4 minutes at worst. Previously it was up in around a minute. The delays appear to occur across the whole start up sequence. The blue icons that cross the Windows graphic now make 20 to 30 traverses as opposed to a regular three before then there is a long delay to the welcome screen appearing (4 uses on it) then a further long delay from clicking my id to the desktop background appearing and another delay until the icons appear. Throughout this time the icon that appears next to the pointer on the screen is that of a CD type disk and not the usual hour glass. This icon then continues to flash for about another 30 seconds before everything quietens down.

After the start up sequence completes everything works as before and I cannot get the machine to repeat the process via either a power off and on or a restart. It appears it will only do it on the first start of the day. Advancing the system clock will not fool it.

There are no applications showing on the task manager and I cannot see any obvious process running while the CD icon is appearing during those last 30 seconds. I only have windows defender and Avast set to auto start.

The only changes I have made to the machine in the last month have been to remove Norton using the removal tool and to install Avast but the machine ran fine for at least 2 weeks after that. I have also updated and run Malwarebytes and Spybot - they found nothing. I have tried restoring back to just after the Norton removal but no joy unless the cause is an automatic windows update which loads virtually immediately. The strange thing is this does not show up in the Add/Remove programs list so I can experiment with uninstalling it. Also I have another machine that is not being similarly affected but it has the same software set up.

Anyone any ideas before I restore back to the beginning of the month then block the windows update and then have to update all the security stuff again.

Graham.

Was one of your Windows Updates IE8?

ColTom2


"Graham" wrote in message
...
Basic system details: AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2400 MHz 4600+, 2GB ram, 500GB disk,
Windows XP Home SP3 fully updated, Avast anti virus, Windows Firewall,
Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, Spybot S&D, Adaware and Autoruns.

For about 10 days now my machine has started to take an inordinate amount of
time to start up - around 3 to 4 minutes at worst. Previously it was up in
around a minute. The delays appear to occur across the whole start up
sequence. The blue icons that cross the Windows graphic now make 20 to 30
traverses as opposed to a regular three before then there is a long delay to
the welcome screen appearing (4 uses on it) then a further long delay from
clicking my id to the desktop background appearing and another delay until
the icons appear. Throughout this time the icon that appears next to the
pointer on the screen is that of a CD type disk and not the usual hour
glass. This icon then continues to flash for about another 30 seconds before
everything quietens down.

After the start up sequence completes everything works as before and I
cannot get the machine to repeat the process via either a power off and on
or a restart. It appears it will only do it on the first start of the day.
Advancing the system clock will not fool it.

There are no applications showing on the task manager and I cannot see any
obvious process running while the CD icon is appearing during those last 30
seconds. I only have windows defender and Avast set to auto start.

The only changes I have made to the machine in the last month have been to
remove Norton using the removal tool and to install Avast but the machine
ran fine for at least 2 weeks after that. I have also updated and run
Malwarebytes and Spybot - they found nothing. I have tried restoring back to
just after the Norton removal but no joy unless the cause is an automatic
windows update which loads virtually immediately. The strange thing is this
does not show up in the Add/Remove programs list so I can experiment with
uninstalling it. Also I have another machine that is not being similarly
affected but it has the same software set up.

Anyone any ideas before I restore back to the beginning of the month then
block the windows update and then have to update all the security stuff
again.

Graham.

Was one of your Windows Updates IE8?

ColTom2


"Graham" wrote in message
...
Basic system details: AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2400 MHz 4600+, 2GB ram, 500GB disk,
Windows XP Home SP3 fully updated, Avast anti virus, Windows Firewall,
Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, Spybot S&D, Adaware and Autoruns.

For about 10 days now my machine has started to take an inordinate amount of
time to start up - around 3 to 4 minutes at worst. Previously it was up in
around a minute. The delays appear to occur across the whole start up
sequence. The blue icons that cross the Windows graphic now make 20 to 30
traverses as opposed to a regular three before then there is a long delay to
the welcome screen appearing (4 uses on it) then a further long delay from
clicking my id to the desktop background appearing and another delay until
the icons appear. Throughout this time the icon that appears next to the
pointer on the screen is that of a CD type disk and not the usual hour
glass. This icon then continues to flash for about another 30 seconds before
everything quietens down.

After the start up sequence completes everything works as before and I
cannot get the machine to repeat the process via either a power off and on
or a restart. It appears it will only do it on the first start of the day.
Advancing the system clock will not fool it.

There are no applications showing on the task manager and I cannot see any
obvious process running while the CD icon is appearing during those last 30
seconds. I only have windows defender and Avast set to auto start.

The only changes I have made to the machine in the last month have been to
remove Norton using the removal tool and to install Avast but the machine
ran fine for at least 2 weeks after that. I have also updated and run
Malwarebytes and Spybot - they found nothing. I have tried restoring back to
just after the Norton removal but no joy unless the cause is an automatic
windows update which loads virtually immediately. The strange thing is this
does not show up in the Add/Remove programs list so I can experiment with
uninstalling it. Also I have another machine that is not being similarly
affected but it has the same software set up.

Anyone any ideas before I restore back to the beginning of the month then
block the windows update and then have to update all the security stuff
again.

Graham.

On May 24, 4:05*am, "Graham"
wrote:
Basic system details: AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2400 MHz 4600+, 2GB ram, 500GB disk, Windows XP Home SP3 fully updated, Avast anti virus, Windows Firewall, Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, Spybot S&D, Adaware and Autoruns.

For about 10 days now my machine has started to take an inordinate amount of time to start up - around 3 to 4 minutes at worst. Previously it was up in around a minute. The delays appear to occur across the whole start up sequence. The blue icons that cross the Windows graphic now make 20 to 30 traverses as opposed to a regular three before then there is a long delay to the welcome screen appearing (4 uses on it) then a further long delay from clicking my id to the desktop background appearing and another delay until the icons appear. Throughout this time the icon that appears next to the pointer on the screen is that of a CD type disk and not the usual hour glass. This icon then continues to flash for about another 30 seconds before everything quietens down.

After the start up sequence completes everything works as before and I cannot get the machine to repeat the process via either a power off and on or a restart. It appears it will only do it on the first start of the day. Advancing the system clock will not fool it.

There are no applications showing on the task manager and I cannot see any obvious process running while the CD icon is appearing during those last 30 seconds. I only have windows defender and Avast set to auto start.

The only changes I have made to the machine in the last month have been to remove Norton using the removal tool and to install Avast but the machine ran fine for at least 2 weeks after that. I have also updated and run Malwarebytes and Spybot - they found nothing. I have tried restoring back to just after the Norton removal but no joy unless the cause is an automatic windows update which loads virtually immediately. The strange thing is this does not show up in the Add/Remove programs list so I can experiment with uninstalling it. Also I have another machine that is not being similarly affected but it has the same software set up.

Anyone any ideas before I restore back to the beginning of the month then block the windows update and then have to update all the security stuff again.

Graham.


If you perform a Google search for something like: XP boot tweak
guide

You will get some ideas from many sources. You are not the first
person to complain about this.

Nothing to do with your issue, but what newsreader are you using to
post messages?

Jose

On May 24, 4:05*am, "Graham"
wrote:
Basic system details: AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2400 MHz 4600+, 2GB ram, 500GB disk, Windows XP Home SP3 fully updated, Avast anti virus, Windows Firewall, Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, Spybot S&D, Adaware and Autoruns.

For about 10 days now my machine has started to take an inordinate amount of time to start up - around 3 to 4 minutes at worst. Previously it was up in around a minute. The delays appear to occur across the whole start up sequence. The blue icons that cross the Windows graphic now make 20 to 30 traverses as opposed to a regular three before then there is a long delay to the welcome screen appearing (4 uses on it) then a further long delay from clicking my id to the desktop background appearing and another delay until the icons appear. Throughout this time the icon that appears next to the pointer on the screen is that of a CD type disk and not the usual hour glass. This icon then continues to flash for about another 30 seconds before everything quietens down.

After the start up sequence completes everything works as before and I cannot get the machine to repeat the process via either a power off and on or a restart. It appears it will only do it on the first start of the day. Advancing the system clock will not fool it.

There are no applications showing on the task manager and I cannot see any obvious process running while the CD icon is appearing during those last 30 seconds. I only have windows defender and Avast set to auto start.

The only changes I have made to the machine in the last month have been to remove Norton using the removal tool and to install Avast but the machine ran fine for at least 2 weeks after that. I have also updated and run Malwarebytes and Spybot - they found nothing. I have tried restoring back to just after the Norton removal but no joy unless the cause is an automatic windows update which loads virtually immediately. The strange thing is this does not show up in the Add/Remove programs list so I can experiment with uninstalling it. Also I have another machine that is not being similarly affected but it has the same software set up.

Anyone any ideas before I restore back to the beginning of the month then block the windows update and then have to update all the security stuff again.

Graham.


If you perform a Google search for something like: XP boot tweak
guide

You will get some ideas from many sources. You are not the first
person to complain about this.

Nothing to do with your issue, but what newsreader are you using to
post messages?

Jose

"ColTom2" wrote in message ...
Was one of your Windows Updates IE8?

ColTom2


"Graham" wrote in message
...
[Snip]

No I only have IE7 on my machine. Whatever the last update was it is not showing in the updates section of the Add/Remove programs utility for any Microsoft product. The last one showing is dated 16 April 2009.

Graham.

"ColTom2" wrote in message ...
Was one of your Windows Updates IE8?

ColTom2


"Graham" wrote in message
...
[Snip]

No I only have IE7 on my machine. Whatever the last update was it is not showing in the updates section of the Add/Remove programs utility for any Microsoft product. The last one showing is dated 16 April 2009.

Graham.

"Jose" wrote in message ...
On May 24, 4:05am, "Graham"
wrote:
[Snip]

If you perform a Google search for something like: XP boot tweak
guide

You will get some ideas from many sources. You are not the first
person to complain about this.

Thanks Jose. I will give it a go.

Nothing to do with your issue, but what newsreader are you using to
post messages?

Outlook Express.

Graham.

"Jose" wrote in message ...
On May 24, 4:05am, "Graham"
wrote:
[Snip]

If you perform a Google search for something like: XP boot tweak
guide

You will get some ideas from many sources. You are not the first
person to complain about this.

Thanks Jose. I will give it a go.

Nothing to do with your issue, but what newsreader are you using to
post messages?

Outlook Express.

Graham.

Graham wrote:
"Jose" wrote in message
...
On May 24, 4:05am, "Graham"
wrote:
[Snip]

If you perform a Google search for something like: XP boot tweak
guide

You will get some ideas from many sources. You are not the first
person to complain about this.

Thanks Jose. I will give it a go.

Nothing to do with your issue, but what newsreader are you using to
post messages?

Outlook Express.

Jose asked no doubt because your word wrap isn't working. Please don't
use Quoted Printable; I'm sure that will correct the problem.

Graham wrote:
"Jose" wrote in message
...
On May 24, 4:05am, "Graham"
wrote:
[Snip]

If you perform a Google search for something like: XP boot tweak
guide

You will get some ideas from many sources. You are not the first
person to complain about this.

Thanks Jose. I will give it a go.

Nothing to do with your issue, but what newsreader are you using to
post messages?

Outlook Express.

Jose asked no doubt because your word wrap isn't working. Please don't
use Quoted Printable; I'm sure that will correct the problem.

Graham wrote:
Basic system details: AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2400 MHz 4600+, 2GB ram,
500GB disk, Windows XP Home SP3 fully updated, Avast anti virus,
Windows Firewall, Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, Spybot S&D, Adaware
and Autoruns.

For about 10 days now my machine has started to take an inordinate
amount of time to start up - around 3 to 4 minutes at worst.
Previously it was up in around a minute. The delays appear to occur
across the whole start up sequence. The blue icons that cross the
Windows graphic now make 20 to 30 traverses as opposed to a regular
three before then there is a long delay to the welcome screen
appearing (4 uses on it) then a further long delay from clicking my
id to the desktop background appearing and another delay until the
icons appear. Throughout this time the icon that appears next to the
pointer on the screen is that of a CD type disk and not the usual
hour glass. This icon then continues to flash for about another 30
seconds before everything quietens down.

First, try disconnecting all hardware except mouse, keyboard, and
monitor. If no joy, configure a clean boot and see if there is a change
in bootup time:

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

If so, use process of elimination to see what is causing the holdup.

Graham wrote:
Basic system details: AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2400 MHz 4600+, 2GB ram,
500GB disk, Windows XP Home SP3 fully updated, Avast anti virus,
Windows Firewall, Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, Spybot S&D, Adaware
and Autoruns.

For about 10 days now my machine has started to take an inordinate
amount of time to start up - around 3 to 4 minutes at worst.
Previously it was up in around a minute. The delays appear to occur
across the whole start up sequence. The blue icons that cross the
Windows graphic now make 20 to 30 traverses as opposed to a regular
three before then there is a long delay to the welcome screen
appearing (4 uses on it) then a further long delay from clicking my
id to the desktop background appearing and another delay until the
icons appear. Throughout this time the icon that appears next to the
pointer on the screen is that of a CD type disk and not the usual
hour glass. This icon then continues to flash for about another 30
seconds before everything quietens down.

First, try disconnecting all hardware except mouse, keyboard, and
monitor. If no joy, configure a clean boot and see if there is a change
in bootup time:

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

If so, use process of elimination to see what is causing the holdup.

On May 24, 11:38*am, "Graham"
wrote:
"Jose" wrote in ...

On May 24, 4:05am, "Graham"
wrote:
[Snip]

If you perform a Google search for something like: *XP boot tweak
guide
You will get some ideas from many sources. *You are not the first
person to complain about this.

Thanks Jose. I will give it a go.

Nothing to do with your issue, but what newsreader are you using to
post messages?

Outlook Express.

Graham.

I kind of like his no word wrap.

I found the link I thought of, so Google for: xp boot tweak guide
bootvis

and hopefully find:

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:...ient=firefox-a

There is a .doc file at the top of the page that has pictures.

This may not be your magic bullet, but you will at least know what is
going on, places to look for things that are loading that you might
not even need, things to try changing, etc. and be comfortable doing
it.

Jose

On May 24, 11:38*am, "Graham"
wrote:
"Jose" wrote in ...

On May 24, 4:05am, "Graham"
wrote:
[Snip]

If you perform a Google search for something like: *XP boot tweak
guide
You will get some ideas from many sources. *You are not the first
person to complain about this.

Thanks Jose. I will give it a go.

Nothing to do with your issue, but what newsreader are you using to
post messages?

Outlook Express.

Graham.

I kind of like his no word wrap.

I found the link I thought of, so Google for: xp boot tweak guide
bootvis

and hopefully find:

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:...ient=firefox-a

There is a .doc file at the top of the page that has pictures.

This may not be your magic bullet, but you will at least know what is
going on, places to look for things that are loading that you might
not even need, things to try changing, etc. and be comfortable doing
it.

Jose