Slow Startup on Dell Laptop

[barman]

Inherited it from a trusted friend.

First thing I did was RUN msconfig and switch to Selective Startup, unchecking nearly every process listed.

But there's still about three dozen Applications which at the moment are all Enabled to start up.

Total startup time from push of start button to usability is about 6-8 minutes.

Have thoroughly swept the sytem with AdAware, Spybot, CCleaner and AVG Antivirus and AntiSpyware.

Other performance no complaints once it gets going.

Feedback welcome.

DELL laptop, Windows XP

 

[Data]

First thing I did was RUN msconfig and switch to Selective Startup, unchecking nearly every process listed.

But there's still about three dozen Applications which at the moment are all Enabled to start up.

Keep disabling these one by one. However, the most probable culprits are the antivirus and Automatic Updates service.

 

[Dr.Pepper]

I would say because it's an old system, the system registry is fried. Go ahead and save everything and reformat. She'll be purring in no time.

 

[BetIt]

I would say because it's an old system, the system registry is fried. Go ahead and save everything and reformat. She'll be purring in no time.

how does one do this?

i think my registry may be cooked too.

 

[Dr.Pepper]

Just start over. Backup important files and re-install! You should be doing this whenever a computer needs it! And if you are slowed by stalls and bad response times, that means it is time!

 

[TTinCO]

CCleaner made my minor problem worse. Now I've got all kinds of flaky shit going on.

This is an option http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[barman]

Thanks for the feedback so far.

It's not a particularly old unit (2004) but the previous user was quite the novice with regard to installing various programs (and likely their related ActiveX and Browser Helpers et al) and not unchecking Automatic startups etc

Can you point me to a short list of how to backup and reinstall?

Or is it as simple as inserting the original Windows XP disk that came with it and following instructions from there?

 

[barman]

TT, we crossposted. Your last post is very helpful.

I'll check it out in next couple days and report back.

Steve

 

[Dr.Pepper]

Personally, for me - I do not do repair installs. They can only cause more headaches. It's quite the specialized process. You either make the decision that you are jumping into the pool, or that you are going to walk around in it, and not let your face or hair get wet. That's a repair install.

Make the plunge and do a reformat of the hard disk, which is a complete reinstall of XP. Google is loaded with content about doing this properly. It is quite an easy process if you can find a good guide to help.

 

[Dr.Pepper]

Find a guide with some good screen captures. Those are quite helpful when it comes time to sort through the various screens that come up.

 

[barman]

Thanks for the followup.

I'm in a good spot because I can pull up instructional guidance here on my desktop and have the laptop on same work surface for doing the reformat, which does sound smarter than a repair-install.

Likely a Sun/Mon project for me. Thanks again for feedback.