slow start up of XP

I have been having problems for a while now with my windows XP and genereal loading up from switch on. I recently timed it at 3mins 12secs before everything on the desktop is loaded up and ready for use. The laptop has a Intel Celeron processor 1.40ghz and 2244 MB so i presume it shouldnt (and wasnt when i bought it a year ago) this slow.

Is there something I can do quicken it up as it once used to be? I have used msconfig to remove most processes from running upon power on except for norton internet security and soundman.exe but it has made no difference.

Could there be some sort of virus that slows the laptop down although nothing shows up in any search through the dozen softwares i have!!??

Thanks

Dan

 

Hello Dan,

Check out Arie's Improve Boot Performance

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/tune-19.html

Regards - Charles

 

Don't discount Norton IS. Me, I would uninstall it, shutdown and disconnect the internet connection. Startup several times and see if there was a difference. If no difference, reinstall NIS. If NIS is the problem and you wanted to keep it, you may be looking at reformatting. Sorry to be blunt, but that's my experience.

2244 is the amount of RAM you have installed? Large amounts of RAM (over an optimal level) can actually slow the system down.

Matt

 

Similar problem

My HP ze4501us takes a ridiculous amount of time to boot up.
I believe it is over 5 minutes!

To open ANY program or file on the laptop takes at least 10 seconds and then it often hangs.

I searched this website and found this thread and followed the suggested thread - but I must be missing something - because I do not see the tool being available anywhere just articles on it etc.


The laptop is MS Home Edition XP version 2002 with SP2
Mobile Intel Celeron CPU 2.40GHz
192 MB RAM

I have had the computer for 4 years and this has always been issue that I have tried to resolve - but unable to.
Any suggestions? Need more info - just ask
Here is what starts up:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1047072/LAPTOPSTARTUP.JPG

As always - THANKS

 

If you're looking for BootVis it can be found at Major Geeks.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=664

 

Thanks danstan for the reply


Bummer

I wonder if this laptop can expand in RAM

I uninstalled RamPro as suggested.
I also changed my graphics/display setting 800X600 and my hardware acceleration use to be full now I have it in the middle.
These changes have made some definite speed improvement.

Probably a stupid question but how do I change the memory size of my adapter IGP340M?

I have been trying to run bootvis but when I go to install I get the error message saying the "Windows Installer service could not be accessed. This can occur if you are running Windows in safe mode, or if the WI is not correctly installed." I am not in safe mode so WI is not correctly installed?

 

Some clarification:

The download link for BootVIS is in Arie's article.

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/tune-19.html

Admittedly, easy to miss but its there.

The quote doesn't contain the live link.

Regards - Charles

 

Update

Thanks for the advice and links.

I have adjusted my monitor settings the best I can for the moment.
It does appear the big problem is lack of RAM so I went to Crucial.com
and bought another 256 MB RAM and should receive it no later than Thursday.
After installing and rebooting I'll let you know how it went.
Fingers are crossed

 

Wahoo!

Amazing difference an additional 256 MB RAM does for the laptop.

Crucial.com $34.00

Installed in under 5 minutes.

The computer is easily twice as fast and ooodles more stable.

Thanks for all the help and info ----- as usual.