xp extremely slow between logins

Built a new system with XP Home, SP2. Machine boots up fine to 1st login screen, and logs in fine. When I leave the machine idle, instead of my screensaver, which I have enabled, the machine is black, at which time my mouse or keyboard brings it back. It then takes along time to get to the user screen(I have 5 users). If I logoutand login to another user, it takes a long time for the login to occur, between users. Sometimes,on the pick a user screen, when I move my cursor over the users, they don't highlight. I'll click on one,and it takes a while for that log into occur. The same when shutting down, I can't highlight the shutdown computer line, I'll click on it and it takes a long while for theshutdown computer screen to appear. Any ideas?

 

Hi and welcome to the BBS,

If it only happens after the screen has gone black, it is probably power settings.

The black screen is probably the monitor being turned off. The harddrive/s may be getting turned off and are not "waking up" correctly.

Try making changes in Control Panel -> Power Options. I suggest not to use System Standby or Hibernate for a desktop computer unless you know it will work successfully. Try setting "Turn off hard disks" to Never and if you still have problems, set "Turn off monitor" to Never.

If you still find problems, you may need to look for an upgrade of the BIOS for your computer's motherboard.

If you have already checked the power settings, you will need to let us know what you have already tried.

Matt

 

I did set the power settings to never, and that has cleared up the black screen. But I still have the problem between logins, not the initial login when starting up, that's no problem. But between logins it takes a long time to get to the 'pick a user' screen, and then I have to wait to be able to highlight an option, for a while when I put my cursor over an option, it can't be highlighted. I have the current bios, have used registry cleaners, and have run virus/spyware checks, and still it lags. I even reinstalled XP with the 'repair' xp option, and that didn't help. I'm thinking I might have to do a fresh install of xp if nothing else works.

 

bump

 

What services do you have running when you turn on the computer?
Do you regualy do Disk Clean Ups?

To find out what services you are running, Go into Safe Mode. Normally before the boot screen press F8

Click Safe Mode

Now Press CTRL DEL DEL

Login as: Administrator
Password:
(There should not be a password, If there is you set it)

It will bring up a dialog box, Click Yes.

Now, Click Start
Then Run
Type
msconfig

Click the Startup Tab
Disable what you dont want to startup when Windows Startsup
Now, Click the Services Tab
Go though the BIG list there.
(Make sure you dont disable a Microsoft Service, Just incase its important)

Thanks,
- Gareth

**NOTE: I AM ONLY PROVIDING THIS INFORMAION TO HELP. I WILL NOLT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IF YOU BRAKE YOUR COMPUTER**

 

Hi Gareth,

No need to go thru the Safe Mode and msconfig rigamarole.

Start > run > type services.msc > ok.

Regards - Charles

 

At logoff and shutdown Windows wants to close current network connections, even if your computer is not connected to a network system, it will look for connections.

You should check for malware. Read the stickies at the top of the security forum.

You need to have good drivers installed for any network/ethernet adapters even if you don't use it/them.

Read about fast user switching:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279765/en-us
It may be what you need or a cause of the problems
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312058/en-us

Check for programs/services that may not want to "relinquish" it's network/internet connection.

Matt