Start-up problems

[calista]

I have Windows XP, and have recently begun to have problems booting up. The initial boot is slow, the computer is very sluggish, and many programs lock up or time out. If I reboot 2 or 3 times, the problem goes away.

Any insight as to what might be causing this and what I can do about it?

Thanks!

Calista :-X
Jedi Knight,
Champion of the Force

 

[trvlr1]

Use the force Luke ... errr Calista, use the force!

 

[guitarzan]

Could be a multitude of things; Antivirus update/scan, Windows Automatic Updates, some other software updating itself, malware.

One quick check is, when your machine is sluggish, look at Task Manager and view the processes that are eating up CPU time. Also check the Performance tab and see if PF Usage is being maxed out.

 

[vacunita]

Does it happen in safe mode too?

If not you could use msconfig to disable startup items until the issue goes away. Once it does, the last item you disabled before it stopped having the issue should be the one causing the problem.



----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

Behind the Web, Tips and Tricks for Web Development.

http://behindtheweb.blogspot.com/

 

[CecilXavier]

Have you tried reseating RAM? Also check your HDD. See if it is on the way out.