intermittant boot problem

[r3k]

My normal boot time in XP is about 40 seconds from start to finish. Lately, the sequence nearly completes, but stops at the point where the icons (speaker, NAV, Windows messenger) appear. At this point, it takes as long as 3-4 minutes to complete. Sometimes it works fine, other times not. Any ideas? By the way, I'm old and definitely not master geek material so please keep it simple. Thanks.

[FrankSG]

I'm wondering if your Norton Anti Virus program is scanning at startup.
You might want to open Norton and see if it is set to scan at startup.
I could be wrong, but that's a possibility.
~Frank~

[PrntRhd]

I would suggest the basic things, empty the temporary internet files, do a defragmentation of the hard drive.
I would also ask if you are letting XP do automatic System Restore points which will fill the HDD and slow down the machine.
I would also recommend the Service Configurations be modified by the recommendations found in blackviper (www.blackviper.com) site if you feel up to it.

Edit: And I am pretty old too, :)

[Quantax]

I would also check for spyware(through Spybot S & D + Ad Aware) and consider creating a HiJack This log(posting the results back here as well) because malware infestations might be clogging the system up too much.

[r3k]

Originally posted by Quantax
I would also check for spyware(through Spybot S & D + Ad Aware) and consider creating a HiJack This log(posting the results back here as well) because malware infestations might be clogging the system up too much.

I suppose most of you know about HiJack, but I never heard of it. If some one would care to enlighten me, I'd sure appreciate.

I've been running Spybot S&D, Norton doesn't ru on Startup, Temp files get dumped regularly, my HD is half empty. All these were great suggestions, but I still don't understand why one day it's fine and another day it's not.

Thanks ever so much to those who have tried to help.

[sea69]

sounds like it is booting to more than one backup registry. Sometimes it may be booting to an older copy and you may have installed things since that registry version... not very well put- hope you get my meaning.

That's why it is only sometimes. Please list your startup apps and services.

;)

[r3k]

Sean asked that I post the services and startup on my computer:
All the Microsoft services are enabled because I don't know which ones are safe to turn off. In addition I have Symantec event manager and password validation service checked and Norton autoprotect and script blocking services. The startup items are ccApp, REGSHAVE and ms msgs.
I just turned off ccRegVfy.

[sea69]

click start-> run-> type in the box: msconfig-> press enter-> go to start up TAB-> list items there that are checked-> go to services TAB-> same thing.

;)

[r3k]

Originally posted by sea69
click start-> run-> type in the box: msconfig-> press enter-> go to start up TAB-> list items there that are checked-> go to services TAB-> same thing.

;)

I think that's what I tried to say in my last post. The only checked Startup items are:
ccApp, REGSHAVE, msmsgs.

All the Microsoft Services are checked. In addition, Symantec Event Manager, Password Validation Service, Norton AV Autoprotect and Script blocking services are checked as well.

[Quantax]

Among the services listed you could disable the index service, system restore and a host of other things listed(or change them to manual from automatic). Yet if you still have problems with the booting up time, you might check in the Device Manager to see if there are any yellow exclamation or question marks next to any devices. Also do a diagnostic check of the hard drive.

I recall several months ago that I also had an extra lengthy booting time and it turned out the drive itself was shot! However, this was consistent and not an intermittent problem as you've said yours is.

[Mark Miller]

Hi Quantax,
Why turn off system restore? It can absolutely save your butt, just curious.
I had the same problem with a laptop and it turned out to be Norton.
I used Boot-vis to get things running smoothly again, but I cannot recommend anymore because it is not supported by MS at this time
Mark

[Paleo Pete]

Mark It's a useful troubleshooting procedure. If the problem is software related, turning off as much software at startup as possible helps narrow down the possibilities. Most or all can be turned on again later if needed, and in some cases turning off System Restore is necessary.

If that solves the problem, turning them back on one at a time can sort out which one is causing the problem. When it starts again, the last one you turned back on is the culprit.

Just so you'll know, (since I posted a gotcha in another thread,) I'm not singling you out, just answering your question.

[ErnieK]

r3k
Follow Prnthd link to Balck Viper. If you search the main page you will find a downloadable PDF file with his reccomended settings. Download it.

Then open an exploreer page and go to tools/Folder options/View. Make sure that View all files and folders are selected.

Now go to Start/Run and type in "services.msc" (without quotes) and follow the suggestions made by Black Viper. Choose the "safe" settings he has listed to start with. This will stop any unneccessary services from running

[r3k]

I've got lots to work thanks to all your suggestions. I really wqant to thank everyone who responded. It's great to find people who are willing to share their knowledge.

[Mark Miller]

Hey Pete,
No problem that's why I asked the question
Mark:D