XP takes forever to start up

[food1]

For about a month now, my computer has been taking longer and longer to start. When I turn it on, it goes to the loading screen and completely freezes without the loading bar moving. After about a half an hour, the loading bar will finally appear and start moving, then freeze again. It is usually still another ten minutes or so from the second freeze before XP completely starts up.
It was at its very worst this morning when I turned it on and it took almost an hour to load. When it finally was on, I had to go somewhere, and when I came back and tried to turn it off of safe mode, it froze and I had to restart again. I was so mad I just started it in safe mode, and that's how it is right now.
I have no idea what to do. I tried running msconfig and turning off almost all the programs that automatically start when XP boots, but it didn't work. I also tried getting a program called Bootvis (I think) to trace what was causing so much slow down in the start up, and when the computer finally loaded up all the way and I thought I could see what was taking it so long, bootvis crashed and lost the statistics from the start up.
What else can I do?

[snooker]

Hi ... Do you have an Anti-Virus Program which is fairly new ( mostly under a year )and you are sure that you are still recieving update definitions ? Then update yours now ....
Then afterward download a few programs , Like these here below
first one is Ad aware ( free Version )
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
Next program >> Spybot Search and Destroy ( Free )
http://www.safer-networking.net/en/download/index.html
Next Program >> SpywareBlaster ( Free )
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html
Next Mcafee Stinger
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
Start up these programs , What you need to get is the most latest update for it ,run JUST the "updated" option and afterward close the program for later use ...
Okay now perform this operation from this website below
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310405
Okay this is next to perform below :
Click Start. >>Open My Computer. Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options. Select the View Tab.
Under the Hidden files and folders heading select Show hidden files and folders. Uncheck the Hide protected
operating system files (recommended) option. Click Yes to confirm. Click OK.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE WARNING POP UP WINDOW THIS IS NORMAL , just click yes
Now its time to start your computer in Safe Mode
How to start up in safe mode , there is 2 ways in doing so , just choice one method only ... Look at this website below
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/foru...orial=61#winxo
Okay once in safe mode do the following : Clear out the Temporary internet files and other temp files.
Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel >Internet Options.
Under the General tab click the Delete temporary internet files,
delete all Offline content as well. Clear out Cookies ... Now close eveything and be back at your desktop
Now click the start buttom > then the Search/Find option > click Files or folders > in the named box, type: *.tmp , click search afterward choose Edit > select all -> File > delete.
Empty/delete the entire contents of the C:\Windows\temp folder and C:\temp folder, (Contents only but not the folder itself.)
This one too if it is there C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp\
Delete the recycling bin ...
Now start up Mcafee Stinger and afterward Ad Aware and just basically perform the options its set at for now ... And remove whatever it finds ...
Start spybor search and destory and do the same with this program
Also with the spyware blaster , just clean what it finds ....
Now use your Anti - Virus Program and run it and see what it finds ...If your anti-virus finds anything try the repair option first, if that can't be done then delete the file...
Now restart your computer back to normal mode and reset the setting back too...Once your computer is up and running do the following :
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310405
and this next >>> : http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../xpsysrst.mspx
Okay after all that was done and you want to be sure its clean go to these anti virus scan sites and do the scan from each site if you like
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Scanners.htm
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx

Afterward do get a firewall install , Like Zone Alarm or , Sygate both offer free version


PS: If you have any problems with the instruction above , Just ask for help ...

[food1]

Alright I did everything you said here. I'm 99% sure my computer is completely clean of adware and viruses. However, when I restarted normally after cleaning everything, it still took a half an hour to start up!

I have absolutely no idea what is going on with my computer. Reading some other posts around the internet from people who have had their computer take to long to load, it seems like it may be a problem with the network or the internet loading or something. I don't know though.
Anybody else have any ideas?

[RSM123]

Try going Start > Run and type services.msc.

See if there are processes running there that you can safely stop. If in doubt about any - simply Google for them first.

[animesh]

hi, not meaning to take the easy way out, but i think its time for ur computer to hav a new install. windows tends to slow down, no matter with wat amount of maintenance, so i wud suggest a clean install of windows xp and voila, u'll b golden again.

[Ant]

Does it boot quickly and run ok in safe mode?

Use bootlogging in both Safe and Normal modes to find out what's going on at boot time. Comparison of both should highlight problems and point the way to a brighter, better future

Look here for how to...

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...c_str_xhtz.asp