Computer slow bootup problem

[KySongDog]

This is not a forum question but I need some advice on my 'puter.

It seems like when ever I do a cold boot or a restart, it takes forever for Windows XP to come up.  I think I have a bunch of crap in the registry and it is loading or looking for a bunch of stuff in the background.  A look at Windows Task Manager says I have a LOT of processes going on.   

I've done virus scans, ad-ware and mal-ware scans and run CCleaner a few times.  The computer is still slow on boot up.  After bootup, it seems to run OK.   

Any suggestions on a safe registry cleaner/analyser type package I might try would be appreciated. 

[FinsnFur]

Let's start this with the programs you have run trying to clean it up, first. What all have you tried?

[KySongDog]

OK

I am running Norton Internet Security and it is up to date,  I ran ccleaner.exe a few times to clear out old cookies, files, etc. also ran the registry cleaner feature too, I ran Ad-aware, and I ran Spybot.   

[possumal]

Hey Semp:  My pc has been easy to maintain ever since I got Pitstop Optimize 2.  It finds registry errors and all kinds of stuff I couldn't find on my own.  It is the only registry tool I have ever used that makes it easy to decide what to do with what they find.

[FinsnFur]

How long has it been acting this way?

[KySongDog]

Jim -  A few months now it seems.  I added 2 gig of memory ( 4 total) but it didn't help any.

Possumal -  Thanks for the tip.

[FinsnFur]

Adding ram isn't going to help a whole lot if you dont have the processor to run it.

Did you install any programs within this (few months) time span?
How are you setting on disk space?

I dont mean to keep asking questions, but it'll help pin things down a little anyway.

[KySongDog]

I have LOTS of disk space left so I don't think that is the problem.   I haven't installed any new programs except for Adobe Acrobat update. 

I think may be Norton might be part of the problem???

[FinsnFur]

I can guarantee Norton is part of the problem, but before I go into that, a couple more questions.
How old is your computer?
And have you always run malware prevention or did you just hook up with it since discovering a problem?

[KySongDog]

My Dell computer is about 2 or three years old. 

I've run Ad aware and Spybot (the free versions) for several years.   But not on a weekly schedule.  Just when I get around to it.

[KySongDog]

Adding ram isn't going to help a whole lot if you dont have the processor to run it.

Intel Pentium D 3.0 ghz

[FinsnFur]

if you've been running the malware prevention like that you should...for the most part be fairly safe there. As long as your updating the definitions when you do run it.

Here's what I'd do....and importantly in the order in which they are laid out.
The first thing I would do is ditch Norton. Norton is one of the biggest CPU hogs there is on the market today. Meaning it just takes SO freekin much to run it. I did a consumer review one day before I bought new AV software and Norton failed 4 out of five different reports, on different sites.
Plus the longer you've had it, the bigger the program gets because it's constantly downloading new dat files.

I use "The Shiled Deluxe". It's the same price as Norton, but has it beat for efficiency hands down.

Another thing you should look at is what's actually taking place when you computer starts up. You may have literally a butt load of programs all fighting for first place when the machine boots and your only using a few of them. Check your start up folder.

And finally, I would reboot some night before I went to bed and do a complete scan disk, AND defrag. Let it run during the night, it'll take a while. If it's never been done, it's way over due, and will drastically slow a computer down, especially at start up.

[KySongDog]

Thanks for the help, Jim.

I'm running Norton Firewall and Antivirus.  I'll look into replacing it with that program you mentioned.    I know when I look at Windows Task Manager there is a boat load of processes going on.   I'll figure it out eventually or maybe not.   

Might give me an excuse to buy a new 'puter and start fresh.   

[FinsnFur]

Let me know what ya need help with, I'll help you out.
I'll show ya how to can clean out your start up programs. Just not tonight    goin to bed 

[KySongDog]

I cleaned out a bunch more stuff last night using Cleanup452 and Spybot160.   I think you are correct in that Norton is bogging everything down.

According to PC Magazine,  Norton Internet Security 2009 is supposed to run much faster.  Of course, they probably got paid to say that. 

Anyways, I may give that a try or switch vendors to Zone Alarm, the Shield, or one of the competitors.

[weedwalker]

Semp, mine runs the same as yours. When I first turn it on it's a few minutes before it gets loaded up to where I can do anything on it. But once it's up it runs good. I have Norton too.

[FinsnFur]

Zone Alarm isn't as good as it used to be. I know when it first came out, it was the keenest thing since sliced bread. But has since( in my opinion) fallen behind.

If you DO decide to go with (The Shield) you wont need another firewall type program anyway. The Shield uses what they call Proactive defense, and interanl addon which acts like a firewall and alerts you to something that is trying to alter or access your registry.

Coupled with Windows XP Firewall, and it's constant updates, you should be good to go.

[alscalls]

I am on dial up and mine is slow after I get on line......Slower in the last few weeks than ever before........I cant figure it out.
I have ad aware SE and spybot but the Ad Aware will no longer update it keeps giving me a retreaval error and then it says somthing stupid like a random number of days since my last update.

[FinsnFur]

You probably already have some malware inside then Al. In fact one of the new worms out takes advantage of outdated malware software and prevents you from updating it. In the main time the worms grows like a tapeworm.

There was a big discussion over on bleepingcomputer.com a while back, along with a descriptive fix, and man it was some involved shit, I'm telling you.

[alscalls]

 :shck: What should I do?