Sudden change in start up time

Hi Graham:

In your posting you have mentioned a lot about icons etc. Here is a fix
normally used to stop "blinking icons" by increasing the size of your Icon
Cache. It will not hurt anything to try it.

See Kelly's Korner (line 121): http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Increasing the size of your Icon cache.



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.

Hi Graham:

In your posting you have mentioned a lot about icons etc. Here is a fix
normally used to stop "blinking icons" by increasing the size of your Icon
Cache. It will not hurt anything to try it.

See Kelly's Korner (line 121): http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Increasing the size of your Icon cache.



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.

I also forgot to mention to open your Event Viewer and take a look at both
Application and System to see if you can determine any specific erratic
behavior.

ColTom2


"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
Hi Graham:

In your posting you have mentioned a lot about icons etc. Here is a fix
normally used to stop "blinking icons" by increasing the size of your Icon
Cache. It will not hurt anything to try it.

See Kelly's Korner (line 121): http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Increasing the size of your Icon cache.



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.

I also forgot to mention to open your Event Viewer and take a look at both
Application and System to see if you can determine any specific erratic
behavior.

ColTom2


"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
Hi Graham:

In your posting you have mentioned a lot about icons etc. Here is a fix
normally used to stop "blinking icons" by increasing the size of your Icon
Cache. It will not hurt anything to try it.

See Kelly's Korner (line 121): http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Increasing the size of your Icon cache.



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.

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

Ok I have changed it from Quote printable to None to see if that helps.

Reading my own posts with Outlook Express does not exhibit any word wrap
problems and the word wrap in my Outlook Express is set to 76.

Graham.

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

Ok I have changed it from Quote printable to None to see if that helps.

Reading my own posts with Outlook Express does not exhibit any word wrap
problems and the word wrap in my Outlook Express is set to 76.

Graham.

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

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


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.


Thanks again Jose and also Daave and ColTom2. I will work my way through
your suggestions and report back if I find the solution.

Graham.

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

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


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.


Thanks again Jose and also Daave and ColTom2. I will work my way through
your suggestions and report back if I find the solution.

Graham.

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

Ok I have changed it from Quote printable to None to see if that
helps.

Perfect. :-)

Reading my own posts with Outlook Express does not exhibit any word
wrap problems and the word wrap in my Outlook Express is set to 76.

I am using OE, too. There were no word wrap problems for me, either --
as long as I opened the posts in a new window. However, if I used the
Preview Pane (which I normally do), your text took up the whole width of
the window! But now it's fine.

FWIW, 76 is slightly too large. Between 70 and 72 is better for
formatting (when replies, attributions are involved).

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

Ok I have changed it from Quote printable to None to see if that
helps.

Perfect. :-)

Reading my own posts with Outlook Express does not exhibit any word
wrap problems and the word wrap in my Outlook Express is set to 76.

I am using OE, too. There were no word wrap problems for me, either --
as long as I opened the posts in a new window. However, if I used the
Preview Pane (which I normally do), your text took up the whole width of
the window! But now it's fine.

FWIW, 76 is slightly too large. Between 70 and 72 is better for
formatting (when replies, attributions are involved).

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

Ok I have changed it from Quote printable to None to see if that
helps.

Perfect. :-)

Reading my own posts with Outlook Express does not exhibit any word
wrap problems and the word wrap in my Outlook Express is set to 76.

I am using OE, too. There were no word wrap problems for me, either -- as
long as I opened the posts in a new window. However, if I used the Preview
Pane (which I normally do), your text took up the whole width of the
window! But now it's fine.

FWIW, 76 is slightly too large. Between 70 and 72 is better for formatting
(when replies, attributions are involved).

Thanks Daave. 76 now dropped to 70 just to be on the safe side

Graham.

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

Ok I have changed it from Quote printable to None to see if that
helps.

Perfect. :-)

Reading my own posts with Outlook Express does not exhibit any word
wrap problems and the word wrap in my Outlook Express is set to 76.

I am using OE, too. There were no word wrap problems for me, either -- as
long as I opened the posts in a new window. However, if I used the Preview
Pane (which I normally do), your text took up the whole width of the
window! But now it's fine.

FWIW, 76 is slightly too large. Between 70 and 72 is better for formatting
(when replies, attributions are involved).

Thanks Daave. 76 now dropped to 70 just to be on the safe side

Graham.

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

Ok I have changed it from Quote printable to None to see if that
helps.

Perfect. :-)

Reading my own posts with Outlook Express does not exhibit any word
wrap problems and the word wrap in my Outlook Express is set to 76.

I am using OE, too. There were no word wrap problems for me, either
-- as long as I opened the posts in a new window. However, if I
used the Preview Pane (which I normally do), your text took up the
whole width of the window! But now it's fine.

FWIW, 76 is slightly too large. Between 70 and 72 is better for
formatting (when replies, attributions are involved).

Thanks Daave. 76 now dropped to 70 just to be on the safe side

You da man!

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

Ok I have changed it from Quote printable to None to see if that
helps.

Perfect. :-)

Reading my own posts with Outlook Express does not exhibit any word
wrap problems and the word wrap in my Outlook Express is set to 76.

I am using OE, too. There were no word wrap problems for me, either
-- as long as I opened the posts in a new window. However, if I
used the Preview Pane (which I normally do), your text took up the
whole width of the window! But now it's fine.

FWIW, 76 is slightly too large. Between 70 and 72 is better for
formatting (when replies, attributions are involved).

Thanks Daave. 76 now dropped to 70 just to be on the safe side

You da man!

On May 24, 3:52*pm, "Graham"
wrote:
"Daave" wrote in message

...



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

Ok I have changed it from Quote printable to None to see if that
helps.

Perfect. :-)

Reading my own posts with Outlook Express does not exhibit any word
wrap problems and the word wrap in my Outlook Express is set to 76.

I am using OE, too. There were no word wrap problems for me, either -- *as
long as I opened the posts in a new window. However, if I used the Preview
Pane (which I normally do), your text took up the whole width of the
window! But now it's fine.

FWIW, 76 is slightly too large. Between 70 and 72 is better for formatting
(when replies, attributions are involved).

Thanks Daave. 76 now dropped to 70 just to be on the safe side

Graham.


No matter what I do to mine, it is still never fast enough or as fast
as it used to be...

Jose