Apart from this delay after Startup everything else appears to be ok.
I was directed to this forum by TOMK from the Spyware / Malware / Virus Removal forum after he completed his tests
I have a Dell Dimension DIM 4500 Pentium 4 2.5GHz with 1.25 Gb of RAM Desktop PC
running Windows XP
Have disabled all I can from Sys Config Utilities Startup

http://forums.whatthetech.com/PC_v_slow_st...ns_t104050.html

This post has been edited by Tomk: Jun 20 2009, 05:35 PM

Hi Zough

Now, first off, I don't know what causes it to hang. There can be multiply reasons for this, both software and hardware related, or in worst case scenario, a combination of these, lets hope not.

I would also like some more details.

How old is this PC?

Make and model of PC / Laptop and any hardware specifications relevant (CPU, RAM, Hardware Drive etc.)
I can see from your HJT log that you are familiar with the PcPitstop test, can you link a scan here please? That would
cover the needs for those info plus more.

When the PC is unresponsive, is it like frozen or can you move the cursor around?
Does anything appear to function when unresponsive, (e.g. programs update etc.)
Do you get the hourglass cursor when it is unresponsive?
How about CTRL - ALT - DEL(ete), does that work? (Bringing up the task-manager)


Keep us posted


Regards

This post has been edited by Abydos: Jun 20 2009, 09:11 PM

Abydos,
Thanks for responding.
It is about 7 years old.
I have a Dell Dimension DIM 4500 Pentium 4 Processor 2.5GHz with 1.25 Gb of RAM Desktop PC
80Gb HD

I have not run a PcPitstop test. That was a recommendation from TOMK when he directed me to you.
I guess I need to that first off.

When the PC is unresponsive, I can move the cursor.
Nothing appears to function when unresponsive
Do you get the hourglass cursor when it is unresponsive? Yes
How about CTRL - ALT - DEL(ete), does that work? No

After about 30 Mins everything works fine.

Hi again Zough

Forgot to ask a thing

Have you tried and see if the condition exist in safemode? Knowing that it will take you ½ hour to get back on, I hesitate to ask, but it is really important. Because if the machine behaves normally when booting into safe-mode, its a huge clue where to look.

To get into safemode, in case you don't know (And for any readers out "there")

Begin tap F8 right after first BIOS screen or first beep from motherboard, whichever comes first.
If caught right, the black DOS-like Advanced options menu will appear. If windows logo comes, you're to far and have to try again.

Use the arrow keys to navigate to safemode (first choice usually), hit enter and log in with your usual account.

Tell how it behaves in safemode.


Also, a thing you can check right away. Make sure that your AntiVirus doesn't scan upon boot. Some AV's have quite a lengthy scan-time, and can easily be the cause.


Regards

It boots okay in Safemode.
Checked AV and it does not scan on reboot has a scheduled scan instead.

Just about PCpitstop. I can't find the reference to it in my posts to Tomk on the other forum. So I am a litle confused on this point. I have run it but at the end I am asked to register and purchase it which I don't want to do. Is the only way I can get the report you are looking for?
I include here a cut/paste of Optimization report which is presented at end of running the tool.

Optimization Report
There are 1 unwanted programs that are currently starting whenever your system boots. By removing these programs, you will get better performance, lower memory usage, and less clutter in your system tray.
We did not find any unwanted programs that start when your system boots. PC Pitstop regularly updates its list of unwanted programs; by using Optimize regularly you can avoid these problems.

We identified 26 settings for Windows, Internet Explorer, and/or Firefox that can be tweaked to improve Internet performance. Your settings for Windows, Internet Explorer, and/or Firefox appear to be tuned for best Internet performance. Using Optimize regularly will help to keep them that way. You skipped Internet optimization; to optimize your Internet connection go back to the first page and select your connection type. We tentatively identified 1 settings that can be tweaked to improve Internet performance.

Your drive has 212 junk files totalling 2.88 megabytes. Optimize can clean the Recycle Bin, temporary files, and Internet caches that can clog the drive and cause excessive fragmentation. There were no junk files found on your system. By using Optimize on a regular basis, you can clean the Recycle Bin, temporary files, and Internet caches that can clog the drive and cause excessive fragmentation.

There are 690 incorrect or unneeded registry entries from failed program installations, obsolete Windows cached data, or missing files. These may cause improper operation of some applications. No problems were found during the registry scan. Use Optimize regularly to prevent problems and keep unwanted junk from accumulating in the registry.

Optimize can fix the problems identified by this free scan and keep your system in top shape.

Buy Now!
If you have a license key, click Register to activate Optimize.

Register Close

You don't have to buy anything. Those are adds to make the Pitstop go around.

When the scan is finished, simply copy / paste the final URL here. All that is needed

That it boots ok in safemode is great news, no hardware involved then
Which leaves us with software, drivers and OS. Still a big field tho. My guess is a
software program or service somewhere that hangs.

Unfortunately, I am on the way out of the door to attend a birthday....
And won't be available for several hours to come.

In the meantime, run the PcPitstop test, do the suggested fixes, but not drivers, yet.
I will also post in a private tech area about this post, so other techs can help you
if they can.


Regards

"When the scan is finished, simply copy / paste the final URL here."

Don't follow this. No URL obvious - just the optimization report already included in previous post.

Maybe I am doing something wrong but I followed all the instructions after downloading PC Pitstop Optimize 3.0.

I set up logs and they are included below. Hope this helps.


 Optimize_Log_for_Zough.txt ( 74.82K ) Number of downloads: 0


Zough, I copied your posted Log into an attached file. Doug

This post has been edited by Doug: Jun 21 2009, 08:34 AM

It is unlikely that the helpers here actually wanted you to run PCPitstop - Optimize.
More likely you were asked to run the PCPitstop - Full Tests - Overdrive (which is free and provides a great deal more information)
We will be able to assist you in making any of the adjustments to your machine recommended by from your Full Tests - Overdrive Results.
I've been respectful of PCPitstop sponsored tools for a long time, but would not recommend any of the paid tools for you in your present situation.

Let's see if we can get you back on track with the Full Tests. (free)
the Results will give you a good overview of your machine's configuration, and current performance.
Then we can help you make any necessary adjustments without having to buy an automated program such as Optimize.
___________________

Head on back over to http://www.pcpitstop.com
In the left hand column, select - Full Tests(free)

You "will" have to register, create a password, and accept an ActiveX component to assist your machine in completing the Full Tests, but again... it is safe, confidential, and "free".

The Full Tests should take about 3-5 minutes on most machines.
When it is complete it will present you with a Results Page.
That is the URL (Address in the Internet Explorer Address Bar) that you can copy/paste to post back here into this thread.
We'll help you from there.

Best Regards

Followed your instructions - here is the URL for the results of the Full test
http://pcpitstop.com/betapit/sec.asp?conid=22291539

Good. That's the one.
We'll have a look now.

Zough,

I see that you may have an External Hard Drive.

To what extend do you already have your important documents, media and files backed up to that External HD or to CD or other External location?

A couple of the first procedures that will begin the process of improving things for you machine will be scans that recover and repair damaged HD file structure. While the procedure (CHECKDISK) in and of itself should not damage any of your data, it is always a very good idea to have completed backup before undertaking any major maintenance or repair.

It would also help if you were able to "Move" (copy/paste) some of your data off from the internal Hard Drive.
If you can do so, try to get about 25% free space on your Hard Drive
After you are confident that you have your data backed up:

Then:

Please run CHKDSK /r
and follow that with
Disk Defragment (while in SAFE Mode)

If you need instructions for the above, let us know.

Success !!
Did as requested.
Defragment completed after 25%.

After Start up PC responded - no delay worth talking about
So finally I believe my problem is solved.
Not sure if it was the last 2 things I did that solved the problem.
Anyway I am happy delay in stsrt up is resolved.
Thanks for help.

Zough

congratulations! Zough.

Will you please run and post a fresh PCPitstop Full Test.
I anticipate that the Results will look much better.

The Repair that you have performed related to the existence of two common occurances.
1. Bad sectors on your hard drive (All hard drives (even brand new) have a certain number of bad sectors)
Edit: Hard Drives may have a small number of "bad sectors" but they should already be identified by the Hard Drives own mechanism as well as by the process of Windows defragging and CHKDSK. Appearance of new "bed sectors" may predict approaching Hard Drive failure.
With CHKDSK you also corrected problems related to lost clusters, cross-linked files, and directory errors.
2. Highly fragmented file placement on your hard drive.

Note: When a hard drive begins reporting new bad sectors, it can be an early warning sign of hard drive failure.
But it is also possible that your Windows operating system had not yet identified the locations of "relatively ordinary amounts" (Edit: No amount of "bad-sectors can be casually described as "ordinary")of bad sectors, and was still trying to use those bad sectors to write/save important files.
Now that you have run CHKDSK, Windows has "flagged" the bad sectors and will not attempt to use them.
This is an ordinary and good process inside of Windows and will not compromise your machine's performance.
However, if additional bad sectors begin appearing... I worry.

CHKDSK /r is a process that you can run routinely (maybe once a week or once monthly).
It is a good idea to run CHKDSK /r prior to defragging, to improve the potential of a good defrag and no hangs.

Note: Defragging is a process that you can run routinely (maybe once a week at the most or more likely monthly)

If you ran CHKDSK only one time in this recent repair work, I would like you to run it again.
If it does not identify additional bad sectors and/or need to move/recover files, that is a good sign.
If it does identitify additional bad sectors, then please run it a third time to assure that all bad sectors get flagged.

If bad sectors continue to appear, it would be sensible to go to the Hard Drive's Manufacturer website to download and run their Disk Health scanning utility. (Edit: and you should seriously anticipate and plan for hard drive replacement)

Be sure to keep your important documents and files backed up as a routine practice in your computer use.

Best Regards

Edit: More information about CHKDSK Here: http://forums.whatthetech.com/How_run_CHKD...XP_t102348.html

This post has been edited by Doug: Jun 24 2009, 08:36 AM

I ran Chkdsk twice. It takes a long time 3- 4hours will run next week again as recommended.
Did not notice any bad sectors highlighted.

http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/sec.asp?conid=22291539