Very slow start up

Awful Scut

Of late, my two-year-old Dell Inspiron has become extremely slow on start-up. I do have a comodo firewall and avg free anti-virus on it, would that have anything to do with it?

I've heard that Dell load their laptops with useless crap, is there anything I can get rid of safely?

thanks.

Ruu_Old

Those two shouldn't slow down the machine. There is a program to remove the crap from Dells I think. Try running AVG anti-spyware and CCleaner, see if it is any different after that.

irlrobins

Ruu wrote:

There is a program to remove the crap from Dells I think.

Dell De-Crapifier

maidhc

Windows tends to slow down of its own accord over a period of time although XP is far better than any previous MS OS though in this regard.

The only way to sort it out it to reinstall the OS. I am sure you could achieve the same result by tidying up the registry, but a reinstallation is the lesser of the two evils.

zod

try creating a new user profile .. if it's faster delete the old

joePC

Start --> Run --> msconfig --> remove all items from startup tab except Antivirus / firewall.

Close and restart --> PC will load quicker.

Shane O' Malley

You need to clean out your systems every so often.

Get a 30 day version of Tune Up Utilities

Defragment the HD

Works a treat for any of the computers i look after.

easkey1

1. Empty the Temporary internet files folder Located in:-
C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files

2. Empty the Windows Temp files folder Located in:-
C:\WINDOWS\Temp

3. Empty the Current User Temp files folder Located in:-
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Local Settings\Temp
Note: Current User = The name of your account.

For regular easy access to the above folders, make shortcuts to your desktop.

4. In your Internet Properties:-
Set Security Level to Medium-High
Set Privacy Settings to Block All Cookies.
Only enable Cookies on trusted sites when you need to, then block them again.
Turn on Pop-up Blocker.
In Advanced, check the box for (Empty Temporary Internet Files Folder when browser is closed)

5. Ensure that your Antivirus is always up to date, and do a regular Full System Scan.

6. Ensure that your Ad ware and or Spy ware app is up to date, and do a regular Full System Scan.

7. Do a regular Disk Cleanup, located in Accessories\System Tools.

8. Run the Disk Defragmenter once a month, also located in Accessories\System Tools.

9. Install a decent Registry Cleaner, and run it after every time you uninstall something.

10. Ensure you have all of the latest Windows Security Updates.

11. Ensure you have the latest Hardware Drivers; don't depend on Windows Update for these.
Go to the Manufacturers Web Site for updates.

12. Uninstall any software and delete any files which you no longer use.

13. Stop any unnecessary applications from automatically starting at Boot up.
Click Start, Click Run and type msconfig, and then click ok.
In the Startup item list, check through for anything you know that is not necessary to be running in the background.
For example, I always disable MSNMessenger, as this will run when I manually open it.
If you are unsure what to disable, then leave it running.

The less programs you have running in the background, the more System resources available.
By doing all of this on a regular basis, you will significantly notice a difference in your PC's Performance.

Just thought this might be of some help.

quaidox

good tips there easkey1, thanks.

Fanny Cradock

CCleaner has a fairly good reg cleaner.

Awful Scut

Shane O' Malley wrote:

You need to clean out your systems every so often.

Get a 30 day version of Tune Up Utilities

Defragment the HD

Works a treat for any of the computers i look after.

Followed your advice and it worked like a treat. Thanks.