WinXP Pro ten minutes? bootup

My Windows XP Pro (SP1 & SP2 on it) can take up to nearly 10 minutes
from bootup to showing the icons.

I have removed all unnecessary programmes, cleaned out startup - you
name it I feel I've done it to no avail!

In boot.ini it shows the following:

multi(0)disk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"
/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn

My 12 year old other computer boots up lightning fast!

In the boot.ini file it has the same message *except* it omits the
NoExecute=OptIn

The other comment I would make is that on the first bootup of the day
the computer bootup is relatively fast and as the day wears on, if I
have to reboot the 10 minute factor is obvious. I actually read a
book while I wait!!

Would anyone have an inkling as to what is happening please?

It's not a matter of life and death but very tedious.

Cheers, Ruth.

The fact that the unit boots up normally or faster when cold should point to a
heat built up problem. Is this a desktop unit? If so, access the internal
compartment and clean out all dust bunnies from the interior. A can of
compressed air will do a good job for this task. Run the unit with the cover
removed and verify that all fans are operating. In most cases there are two or
three fans to check, e.g., CPU, power supply, and optionally case/chassis. If
the fan on the CPU is not operating, close down the system immediately and
replace the fan...do not operate the unit without this fan operating.

wrote in message
...
My Windows XP Pro (SP1 & SP2 on it) can take up to nearly 10 minutes
from bootup to showing the icons.

I have removed all unnecessary programmes, cleaned out startup - you
name it I feel I've done it to no avail!

In boot.ini it shows the following:

multi(0)disk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"
/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn

My 12 year old other computer boots up lightning fast!

In the boot.ini file it has the same message *except* it omits the
NoExecute=OptIn

The other comment I would make is that on the first bootup of the day
the computer bootup is relatively fast and as the day wears on, if I
have to reboot the 10 minute factor is obvious. I actually read a
book while I wait!!

Would anyone have an inkling as to what is happening please?

It's not a matter of life and death but very tedious.

Cheers, Ruth.

Thank you for your prompt reply David.
Yes, it is a desktop unit. As luck would have it, I have just had the
video graphics card replaced because the fan had gone on that! At the
same time, I requested that the large amount of dust be cleaned out
and I feel pretty sure the guy did do just that.

Maybe it's another fan?

Cheers, Ruth.

On Sun, 25 May 2008 05:59:19 -0400, "David Webb"
wrote:

The fact that the unit boots up normally or faster when cold should point to a
heat built up problem. Is this a desktop unit? If so, access the internal
compartment and clean out all dust bunnies from the interior. A can of
compressed air will do a good job for this task. Run the unit with the cover
removed and verify that all fans are operating. In most cases there are two or
three fans to check, e.g., CPU, power supply, and optionally case/chassis. If
the fan on the CPU is not operating, close down the system immediately and
replace the fan...do not operate the unit without this fan operating.

wrote in message
.. .
My Windows XP Pro (SP1 & SP2 on it) can take up to nearly 10 minutes
from bootup to showing the icons.

I have removed all unnecessary programmes, cleaned out startup - you
name it I feel I've done it to no avail!

In boot.ini it shows the following:

multi(0)disk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"
/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn

My 12 year old other computer boots up lightning fast!

In the boot.ini file it has the same message *except* it omits the
NoExecute=OptIn

The other comment I would make is that on the first bootup of the day
the computer bootup is relatively fast and as the day wears on, if I
have to reboot the 10 minute factor is obvious. I actually read a
book while I wait!!

Would anyone have an inkling as to what is happening please?

It's not a matter of life and death but very tedious.

Cheers, Ruth.

Yes, it would be prudent to check the operation of all fans on your system.

wrote in message
...
Thank you for your prompt reply David.
Yes, it is a desktop unit. As luck would have it, I have just had the
video graphics card replaced because the fan had gone on that! At the
same time, I requested that the large amount of dust be cleaned out
and I feel pretty sure the guy did do just that.

Maybe it's another fan?

Cheers, Ruth.

On Sun, 25 May 2008 05:59:19 -0400, "David Webb"
wrote:

The fact that the unit boots up normally or faster when cold should point to a
heat built up problem. Is this a desktop unit? If so, access the internal
compartment and clean out all dust bunnies from the interior. A can of
compressed air will do a good job for this task. Run the unit with the cover
removed and verify that all fans are operating. In most cases there are two or
three fans to check, e.g., CPU, power supply, and optionally case/chassis. If
the fan on the CPU is not operating, close down the system immediately and
replace the fan...do not operate the unit without this fan operating.

wrote in message
. ..
My Windows XP Pro (SP1 & SP2 on it) can take up to nearly 10 minutes
from bootup to showing the icons.

I have removed all unnecessary programmes, cleaned out startup - you
name it I feel I've done it to no avail!

In boot.ini it shows the following:

multi(0)disk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"
/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn

My 12 year old other computer boots up lightning fast!

In the boot.ini file it has the same message *except* it omits the
NoExecute=OptIn

The other comment I would make is that on the first bootup of the day
the computer bootup is relatively fast and as the day wears on, if I
have to reboot the 10 minute factor is obvious. I actually read a
book while I wait!!

Would anyone have an inkling as to what is happening please?

It's not a matter of life and death but very tedious.

Cheers, Ruth.

On Sun, 25 May 2008 08:05:44 -0400, "David Webb"
wrote:


Yes, it would be prudent to check the operation of all fans on your system.

Thanks again.

Cheers, Ruth.

wrote in message
.. .
Thank you for your prompt reply David.
Yes, it is a desktop unit. As luck would have it, I have just had the
video graphics card replaced because the fan had gone on that! At the
same time, I requested that the large amount of dust be cleaned out
and I feel pretty sure the guy did do just that.

Maybe it's another fan?

Cheers, Ruth.

On Sun, 25 May 2008 05:59:19 -0400, "David Webb"
wrote:

The fact that the unit boots up normally or faster when cold should point to a
heat built up problem. Is this a desktop unit? If so, access the internal
compartment and clean out all dust bunnies from the interior. A can of
compressed air will do a good job for this task. Run the unit with the cover
removed and verify that all fans are operating. In most cases there are two or
three fans to check, e.g., CPU, power supply, and optionally case/chassis. If
the fan on the CPU is not operating, close down the system immediately and
replace the fan...do not operate the unit without this fan operating.

wrote in message
...
My Windows XP Pro (SP1 & SP2 on it) can take up to nearly 10 minutes
from bootup to showing the icons.

I have removed all unnecessary programmes, cleaned out startup - you
name it I feel I've done it to no avail!

In boot.ini it shows the following:

multi(0)disk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"
/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn

My 12 year old other computer boots up lightning fast!

In the boot.ini file it has the same message *except* it omits the
NoExecute=OptIn

The other comment I would make is that on the first bootup of the day
the computer bootup is relatively fast and as the day wears on, if I
have to reboot the 10 minute factor is obvious. I actually read a
book while I wait!!

Would anyone have an inkling as to what is happening please?

It's not a matter of life and death but very tedious.

Cheers, Ruth.

On Sun, 25 May 2008 19:19:02 +1000, wrote:

My Windows XP Pro (SP1 & SP2 on it) can take up to nearly 10 minutes
from bootup to showing the icons.

I have removed all unnecessary programmes, cleaned out startup - you
name it I feel I've done it to no avail!

In boot.ini it shows the following:

multi(0)disk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"
/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn

My 12 year old other computer boots up lightning fast!

In the boot.ini file it has the same message *except* it omits the
NoExecute=OptIn

The other comment I would make is that on the first bootup of the day
the computer bootup is relatively fast and as the day wears on, if I
have to reboot the 10 minute factor is obvious. I actually read a
book while I wait!!

Would anyone have an inkling as to what is happening please?

Could be a number of things.
What AV/A-S apps do you use? Do you update definitions prior scanning and
how frequently do you scan? Have you (thoroughly) cleaned and defragged the
HDD lately? Do you know which programs are running in the back ground and
at start-up? Do you use a 3rd party firewall? Have you reviewed all other
3rd party software installed to your machine? Ever considered removing
'clutter'?
There is quality software freely available doing all the above :-)

On Sun, 25 May 2008 22:15:42 +0700, Kayman
wrote:

On Sun, 25 May 2008 19:19:02 +1000, wrote:

My Windows XP Pro (SP1 & SP2 on it) can take up to nearly 10 minutes
from bootup to showing the icons.

I have removed all unnecessary programmes, cleaned out startup - you
name it I feel I've done it to no avail!

In boot.ini it shows the following:

multi(0)disk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"
/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn

My 12 year old other computer boots up lightning fast!

In the boot.ini file it has the same message *except* it omits the
NoExecute=OptIn

The other comment I would make is that on the first bootup of the day
the computer bootup is relatively fast and as the day wears on, if I
have to reboot the 10 minute factor is obvious. I actually read a
book while I wait!!

Would anyone have an inkling as to what is happening please?

Could be a number of things.
What AV/A-S apps do you use? Do you update definitions prior scanning and
how frequently do you scan? Have you (thoroughly) cleaned and defragged the
HDD lately? Do you know which programs are running in the back ground and
at start-up? Do you use a 3rd party firewall? Have you reviewed all other
3rd party software installed to your machine? Ever considered removing
'clutter'?
There is quality software freely available doing all the above :-)

Hopefully I'm right in guessing you mean my antivirus and spyware
apps!
I'm using Zone Alarm and only Lavasoft. Yes, frequently clean and
defrag HHH. Yes, I know what's in my startup and have pruned those.
Don't use Windows firewall and use the Medium zone of firewall using
Zone Alarm.
I don't really know about the programmes running in the background,
suspect nothing of great moment. Am quite good at removing clutter!

I come back to the point, that I get an excellent response booting up
when it's the first boot of the day and after that it all goes
downhill. If there was a major problem with all the items you listed,
this then would not be the case, would it?

Thanks for your reply.

Cheers, Ruth.

On Mon, 26 May 2008 19:08:39 +1000, wrote:

On Sun, 25 May 2008 22:15:42 +0700, Kayman
wrote:

On Sun, 25 May 2008 19:19:02 +1000, wrote:

My Windows XP Pro (SP1 & SP2 on it) can take up to nearly 10 minutes
from bootup to showing the icons.

I have removed all unnecessary programmes, cleaned out startup - you
name it I feel I've done it to no avail!

In boot.ini it shows the following:

multi(0)disk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"
/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn

My 12 year old other computer boots up lightning fast!

In the boot.ini file it has the same message *except* it omits the
NoExecute=OptIn

The other comment I would make is that on the first bootup of the day
the computer bootup is relatively fast and as the day wears on, if I
have to reboot the 10 minute factor is obvious. I actually read a
book while I wait!!

Would anyone have an inkling as to what is happening please?

Could be a number of things.
What AV/A-S apps do you use? Do you update definitions prior scanning and
how frequently do you scan? Have you (thoroughly) cleaned and defragged the
HDD lately? Do you know which programs are running in the back ground and
at start-up? Do you use a 3rd party firewall? Have you reviewed all other
3rd party software installed to your machine? Ever considered removing
'clutter'?
There is quality software freely available doing all the above :-)

Hopefully I'm right in guessing you mean my antivirus and spyware apps!

Yes, AV=Anti Virus, A-S=AntiSpy application(s)

I'm using Zone Alarm

Just to confirm, you're using ZA AV (did you pay for this apps?).

and only Lavasoft. Yes, frequently clean and defrag HHH.

CCleaner is very effective cleaning the Hard Hrive Disk (HDD)
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Yes, I know what's in my startup and have pruned those.

Good! BTW,A good tool to use is:
AutoRuns for Windows
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb963902.aspx

Don't use Windows firewall and use the Medium zone of firewall using
Zone Alarm.

Unfortunate choice

I don't really know about the programmes running in the background,
suspect nothing of great moment.

Process Explorer can assist
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb896653.aspx

Am quite good at removing clutter!

Glad to hear

I come back to the point, that I get an excellent response booting up
when it's the first boot of the day and after that it all goes downhill.

It goes downhill *during* computer usage (surfing etc.)? If so, what are
the symptoms? Or, do you have the 'downhill' experience only during logoff
*and* logon?

If there was a major problem with all the items you listed, this then
would not be the case, would it?

Well, I can't say for sure if you systam is free from any malware
infestation.

Here is what I suggest you to do.

De-activate (disable) ZA firewall and activate (enable) the in-build
application (Windows firewall).

Dowload/install:
1.CCleaner - Free
Cleans temporary internet files, cookies, history, recent urls, application
MRUs, etc. ...
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
If Windows Defender is utilized go to Applications, under Utilities
uncheck "Windows Defender".

2.SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/supe...freevspro.html

After SAS is updated, it is suggested scanning the system in Safe Mode.
How do you boot to Safe Mode?
By pressing/tabbing F8 (or F5 on some keyboards) during re-boot.
Alternatively:
click onto Start==Run, type "msconfig" (without quotation marks), click
OK. Then click onto BOOT.INI tab and 'check' /SAFEBOOT then OK and click
Restart. To go back to Normal Mode, you must access the System
Configuration utility again and click the General tab then click/check the
radio button 'Normal Startup'- load all device drivers and services'.
A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=315222

3.Download David H. Lipman's MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL:
http://www.pctipp.ch/ds/28400/28470/Multi_AV.exe
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
English:
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/...irus-for-free/

To use this utility, perform the following...
Execute; Multi_AV.exe {Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS}
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT
{or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to
go through your FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor
related files.

C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- {or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}
This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in
Normal Mode.
This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web
site.
The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and
Reboot the PC.

You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files
or you can download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you
have downloaded the files needed for each scanner you want to use, you
should reboot the PC into Safe Mode [F8 key during boot] and re-run the
menu again and choose which scanner you want to run in Safe
Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode *and* Normal
Mode.

When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more
comprehensive PDF help file.

Additional Instructions:
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm

4.User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

This should keep you busy foe a while.
Report back, please.

Good luck
--
Your computer is most likely to fail at a time when you need it most.
(Bill Husted,CNS)

On Tue, 27 May 2008 15:35:22 +0700, Kayman wrote:

On Mon, 26 May 2008 19:08:39 +1000, wrote:

On Sun, 25 May 2008 22:15:42 +0700, Kayman
wrote:

On Sun, 25 May 2008 19:19:02 +1000, wrote:

My Windows XP Pro (SP1 & SP2 on it) can take up to nearly 10 minutes
from bootup to showing the icons.

I have removed all unnecessary programmes, cleaned out startup - you
name it I feel I've done it to no avail!

In boot.ini it shows the following:

multi(0)disk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"
/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn

My 12 year old other computer boots up lightning fast!

In the boot.ini file it has the same message *except* it omits the
NoExecute=OptIn

The other comment I would make is that on the first bootup of the day
the computer bootup is relatively fast and as the day wears on, if I
have to reboot the 10 minute factor is obvious. I actually read a
book while I wait!!

Would anyone have an inkling as to what is happening please?

Could be a number of things.
What AV/A-S apps do you use? Do you update definitions prior scanning and
how frequently do you scan? Have you (thoroughly) cleaned and defragged the
HDD lately? Do you know which programs are running in the back ground and
at start-up? Do you use a 3rd party firewall? Have you reviewed all other
3rd party software installed to your machine? Ever considered removing
'clutter'?
There is quality software freely available doing all the above :-)

Hopefully I'm right in guessing you mean my antivirus and spyware apps!

Yes, AV=Anti Virus, A-S=AntiSpy application(s)

I'm using Zone Alarm

Just to confirm, you're using ZA AV (did you pay for this apps?).

and only Lavasoft. Yes, frequently clean and defrag HHH.

CCleaner is very effective cleaning the Hard Hrive Disk (HDD)
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Yes, I know what's in my startup and have pruned those.

Good! BTW,A good tool to use is:
AutoRuns for Windows
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb963902.aspx

Don't use Windows firewall and use the Medium zone of firewall using
Zone Alarm.

Unfortunate choice

I don't really know about the programmes running in the background,
suspect nothing of great moment.

Process Explorer can assist
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb896653.aspx

Am quite good at removing clutter!

Glad to hear

I come back to the point, that I get an excellent response booting up
when it's the first boot of the day and after that it all goes downhill.

It goes downhill *during* computer usage (surfing etc.)? If so, what are
the symptoms? Or, do you have the 'downhill' experience only during logoff
*and* logon?

If there was a major problem with all the items you listed, this then
would not be the case, would it?

Well, I can't say for sure if you systam is free from any malware
infestation.

Here is what I suggest you to do.

De-activate (disable) ZA firewall and activate (enable) the in-build
application (Windows firewall).

Dowload/install:
1.CCleaner - Free
Cleans temporary internet files, cookies, history, recent urls, application
MRUs, etc. ...
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
If Windows Defender is utilized go to Applications, under Utilities
uncheck "Windows Defender".

2.SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/supe...freevspro.html

After SAS is updated, it is suggested scanning the system in Safe Mode.
How do you boot to Safe Mode?
By pressing/tabbing F8 (or F5 on some keyboards) during re-boot.
Alternatively:
click onto Start==Run, type "msconfig" (without quotation marks), click
OK. Then click onto BOOT.INI tab and 'check' /SAFEBOOT then OK and click
Restart. To go back to Normal Mode, you must access the System
Configuration utility again and click the General tab then click/check the
radio button 'Normal Startup'- load all device drivers and services'.
A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=315222

3.Download David H. Lipman's MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL:
http://www.pctipp.ch/ds/28400/28470/Multi_AV.exe
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
English:
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/...irus-for-free/

To use this utility, perform the following...
Execute; Multi_AV.exe {Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS}
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT
{or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to
go through your FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor
related files.

C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- {or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}
This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in
Normal Mode.
This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web
site.
The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and
Reboot the PC.

You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files
or you can download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you
have downloaded the files needed for each scanner you want to use, you
should reboot the PC into Safe Mode [F8 key during boot] and re-run the
menu again and choose which scanner you want to run in Safe
Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode *and* Normal
Mode.

When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more
comprehensive PDF help file.

Additional Instructions:
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm

4.User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

This should keep you busy foe a while.
Report back, please.

Good luck

Oh, I almost forgot...
5.Download and execute TrendMicroâ„¢ HijackThisâ„¢
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en...HJTInstall.exe
6.Disable Notepad's word wrap, in Notepad.exe - Format== uncheck: "Word
wrap"
7.Download and run Deckard's System Scanner
http://www.techsupportforum.com/sect...eckard/dss.exe
4.Save the scan results (Main.txt and Extra.txt)
5.And then post the contents of Main.txt and Extra.txt to one of the below
mentioned fora. Please DO NOT POST LOGS to this or other newsgroups.
NOTE: Registration is required in any of the below before posting a log and
read the 'stickies' explaining some requirements prior submitting HJT log.

http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/index.php?board=3.0
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22.html
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/index.php?showforum=27
http://www.5starsupport.com/ipboard/...p?showforum=18
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5

You can expect a response within 24hrs or so.

On Tue, 27 May 2008 15:35:22 +0700, Kayman
wrote:

On Mon, 26 May 2008 19:08:39 +1000, wrote:

On Sun, 25 May 2008 22:15:42 +0700, Kayman
wrote:

On Sun, 25 May 2008 19:19:02 +1000, wrote:

My Windows XP Pro (SP1 & SP2 on it) can take up to nearly 10 minutes
from bootup to showing the icons.

I have removed all unnecessary programmes, cleaned out startup - you
name it I feel I've done it to no avail!

In boot.ini it shows the following:

multi(0)disk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"
/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn

My 12 year old other computer boots up lightning fast!

In the boot.ini file it has the same message *except* it omits the
NoExecute=OptIn

The other comment I would make is that on the first bootup of the day
the computer bootup is relatively fast and as the day wears on, if I
have to reboot the 10 minute factor is obvious. I actually read a
book while I wait!!

Would anyone have an inkling as to what is happening please?

Could be a number of things.
What AV/A-S apps do you use? Do you update definitions prior scanning and
how frequently do you scan? Have you (thoroughly) cleaned and defragged the
HDD lately? Do you know which programs are running in the back ground and
at start-up? Do you use a 3rd party firewall? Have you reviewed all other
3rd party software installed to your machine? Ever considered removing
'clutter'?
There is quality software freely available doing all the above :-)

Hopefully I'm right in guessing you mean my antivirus and spyware apps!

Yes, AV=Anti Virus, A-S=AntiSpy application(s)

I'm using Zone Alarm

Just to confirm, you're using ZA AV (did you pay for this apps?).

and only Lavasoft. Yes, frequently clean and defrag HHH.

CCleaner is very effective cleaning the Hard Hrive Disk (HDD)
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Yes, I know what's in my startup and have pruned those.

Good! BTW,A good tool to use is:
AutoRuns for Windows
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb963902.aspx

Don't use Windows firewall and use the Medium zone of firewall using
Zone Alarm.

Unfortunate choice

I don't really know about the programmes running in the background,
suspect nothing of great moment.

Process Explorer can assist
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb896653.aspx

Am quite good at removing clutter!

Glad to hear

I come back to the point, that I get an excellent response booting up
when it's the first boot of the day and after that it all goes downhill.

It goes downhill *during* computer usage (surfing etc.)? If so, what are
the symptoms? Or, do you have the 'downhill' experience only during logoff
*and* logon?

If there was a major problem with all the items you listed, this then
would not be the case, would it?

Well, I can't say for sure if you systam is free from any malware
infestation.

Here is what I suggest you to do.

De-activate (disable) ZA firewall and activate (enable) the in-build
application (Windows firewall).

Dowload/install:
1.CCleaner - Free
Cleans temporary internet files, cookies, history, recent urls, application
MRUs, etc. ...
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
If Windows Defender is utilized go to Applications, under Utilities
uncheck "Windows Defender".

2.SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/supe...freevspro.html

After SAS is updated, it is suggested scanning the system in Safe Mode.
How do you boot to Safe Mode?
By pressing/tabbing F8 (or F5 on some keyboards) during re-boot.
Alternatively:
click onto Start==Run, type "msconfig" (without quotation marks), click
OK. Then click onto BOOT.INI tab and 'check' /SAFEBOOT then OK and click
Restart. To go back to Normal Mode, you must access the System
Configuration utility again and click the General tab then click/check the
radio button 'Normal Startup'- load all device drivers and services'.
A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=315222

3.Download David H. Lipman's MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL:
http://www.pctipp.ch/ds/28400/28470/Multi_AV.exe
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
English:
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/...irus-for-free/

To use this utility, perform the following...
Execute; Multi_AV.exe {Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS}
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT
{or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to
go through your FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor
related files.

C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- {or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}
This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in
Normal Mode.
This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web
site.
The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and
Reboot the PC.

You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files
or you can download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you
have downloaded the files needed for each scanner you want to use, you
should reboot the PC into Safe Mode [F8 key during boot] and re-run the
menu again and choose which scanner you want to run in Safe
Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode *and* Normal
Mode.

When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more
comprehensive PDF help file.

Additional Instructions:
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm

4.User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

This should keep you busy foe a while.
Report back, please.

Good luck

Many thanks for giving me such detailed assistance, I really
appreciate it.

Your recommended instructions will indeed keep me busy but I will work
my way through them, after all it's in my own interest to do so VBG
Obviously, it's not a matter of life and death but it has a real
nuisance value!

Will get back to you although may not be immediately.

Cheers, Ruth.

On Tue, 27 May 2008 19:42:00 +0700, Kayman
wrote:

As promised, I am reporting back!!


On Sun, 25 May 2008 19:19:02 +1000, wrote:

My Windows XP Pro (SP1 & SP2 on it) can take up to nearly 10 minutes
from bootup to showing the icons.

I have removed all unnecessary programmes, cleaned out startup - you
name it I feel I've done it to no avail!

In boot.ini it shows the following:

multi(0)disk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"
/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn

My 12 year old other computer boots up lightning fast!

In the boot.ini file it has the same message *except* it omits the
NoExecute=OptIn

The other comment I would make is that on the first bootup of the day
the computer bootup is relatively fast and as the day wears on, if I
have to reboot the 10 minute factor is obvious. I actually read a
book while I wait!!

Would anyone have an inkling as to what is happening please?

Could be a number of things.
What AV/A-S apps do you use? Do you update definitions prior scanning and
how frequently do you scan? Have you (thoroughly) cleaned and defragged the
HDD lately? Do you know which programs are running in the back ground and
at start-up? Do you use a 3rd party firewall? Have you reviewed all other
3rd party software installed to your machine? Ever considered removing
'clutter'?
There is quality software freely available doing all the above :-)

Hopefully I'm right in guessing you mean my antivirus and spyware apps!

Yes, AV=Anti Virus, A-S=AntiSpy application(s)

I'm using Zone Alarm

Just to confirm, you're using ZA AV (did you pay for this apps?).

and only Lavasoft. Yes, frequently clean and defrag HHH.

CCleaner is very effective cleaning the Hard Hrive Disk (HDD)
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Yes, I know what's in my startup and have pruned those.

Good! BTW,A good tool to use is:
AutoRuns for Windows
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb963902.aspx

Don't use Windows firewall and use the Medium zone of firewall using
Zone Alarm.

Unfortunate choice

In that case, what would you suggest as an alternative?!

I don't really know about the programmes running in the background,
suspect nothing of great moment.

Process Explorer can assist
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb896653.aspx

Am quite good at removing clutter!

Glad to hear

I come back to the point, that I get an excellent response booting up
when it's the first boot of the day and after that it all goes downhill.

It goes downhill *during* computer usage (surfing etc.)? If so, what are
the symptoms? Or, do you have the 'downhill' experience only during logoff
*and* logon?

If there was a major problem with all the items you listed, this then
would not be the case, would it?

Well, I can't say for sure if you systam is free from any malware
infestation.

Here is what I suggest you to do.

Before going into any details, I must thank you very warmly for all
the excellent detail and trouble you had gone to, it was all so easy
to follow.

I did everything you suggested except forwarding the log from
Deckard's System scanner as there had been such an improvement in the
boot-up time, I felt it was unnecessary at this point of time to
bother them.

The Multi-Av.exe programme was mind blowing, Sophos anti-virus
programme in particular was unbelievably thorough! It was the only
one (probably because I ran it first) to find four viruses. Two of
these four were the same ones, found in the "patches" used in my
grand-childrens' games.one Alarm! Your point made, maybe VBG

Malwarebytes anti-Malware showed no problems.

All the cleaners did great work.

Super Anti-spyware was impressive and found quite a number of tracking
cookies.

Hijack This reported everything was clean.

Last but certainly not least, the whole purpose of this exercise,
thanks to you, was to improve the boot up speed of my computer.
This it has done and I have gone from nearly 10 minutes to just under
2. I am more than happy with this.

Thank you again for your time and I would be interested to learn any
further comments you may care to make.

Cheers, Ruth.







De-activate (disable) ZA firewall and activate (enable) the in-build
application (Windows firewall).

Dowload/install:
1.CCleaner - Free
Cleans temporary internet files, cookies, history, recent urls, application
MRUs, etc. ...
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
If Windows Defender is utilized go to Applications, under Utilities
uncheck "Windows Defender".

2.SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/supe...freevspro.html

After SAS is updated, it is suggested scanning the system in Safe Mode.
How do you boot to Safe Mode?
By pressing/tabbing F8 (or F5 on some keyboards) during re-boot.
Alternatively:
click onto Start==Run, type "msconfig" (without quotation marks), click
OK. Then click onto BOOT.INI tab and 'check' /SAFEBOOT then OK and click
Restart. To go back to Normal Mode, you must access the System
Configuration utility again and click the General tab then click/check the
radio button 'Normal Startup'- load all device drivers and services'.
A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=315222

3.Download David H. Lipman's MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL:
http://www.pctipp.ch/ds/28400/28470/Multi_AV.exe
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
English:
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/...irus-for-free/

To use this utility, perform the following...
Execute; Multi_AV.exe {Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS}
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT
{or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to
go through your FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor
related files.

C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- {or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}
This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in
Normal Mode.
This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web
site.
The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and
Reboot the PC.

You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files
or you can download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you
have downloaded the files needed for each scanner you want to use, you
should reboot the PC into Safe Mode [F8 key during boot] and re-run the
menu again and choose which scanner you want to run in Safe
Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode *and* Normal
Mode.

When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more
comprehensive PDF help file.

Additional Instructions:
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm

4.User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

This should keep you busy foe a while.
Report back, please.

Good luck

Oh, I almost forgot...
5.Download and execute TrendMicro™ HijackThis™
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en...HJTInstall.exe
6.Disable Notepad's word wrap, in Notepad.exe - Format== uncheck: "Word
wrap"
7.Download and run Deckard's System Scanner
http://www.techsupportforum.com/sect...eckard/dss.exe
4.Save the scan results (Main.txt and Extra.txt)
5.And then post the contents of Main.txt and Extra.txt to one of the below
mentioned fora. Please DO NOT POST LOGS to this or other newsgroups.
NOTE: Registration is required in any of the below before posting a log and
read the 'stickies' explaining some requirements prior submitting HJT log.

http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/index.php?board=3.0
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22.html
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/index.php?showforum=27
http://www.5starsupport.com/ipboard/...p?showforum=18
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5

You can expect a response within 24hrs or so.