Slow computer start up - any advice?

Question

I have tried de-fragging, anti-virus checks, antispy ware and anti-ad. I even tried downloading 'ccleaner' after reading advice given to someone with similar problems.
My start up is particularly slow and alsways comes up with a black screen saying "initalising error. Re-booting from windows (:/c)" or something similar (don't quote me!). What does this mean and what can I do about it - I don't have a windows xp disc as the computer is second hand.
Any advice would be gratefully recieved.

Answer 1

Check on the following:

1. Is there sufficinet space on the Hard drive. Windows need to create virtual RAM on hard disk

2. Is your hard disk the first boot up device

3. Delete the prefetch file from startup

See if it helps

Answer 2

try typing msconfig in run command,this will give you a configuration screen,go to the start up tab and deselect all the programs which are not of real inportance,such as quick time,winzip,but not any security programs like anti-virus,this dosent stop the programs ,only the start up
apply this and when you press ok you will be asked to restart,do this and when you have restarted ,you will have a screen appear,just tick this and press o.k
hopefully this will speed up your start up,but if this dosent help,it may be your hard drive,is it making a grinding sound or noises,it may need replacing,some shops will sell you a hard drive with windows xp pre-installed,but you will have to pay a abit extra for this
good luck

Answer 3

Sounds suspiciously like one or more of windows system files are corrupted. At some point, windows may fail to reboot properly. If you don't have the windows disc or any restore cds, then you may well have to do a fresh installation of windows.Weigh up the costs of this as opposed to buying a new or newer second hand pc.

Answer 4

Try a old system restore point START/ help and support/ type system restore wizard/ then follow the wizard and choose a date where it may have had a restore point set.
I know if SP2 has been put on Pc it's may have slowed the system down with all the extra security.
3D images on desktop can also slow PC down.

Answer 5

U don't mention what OS U use I answer it hope U use WinXp . right click on my computer > Properties > Advance > Performance setting > Advance > Virtual Memory change > Change the Virtual memory drive by "SET" C Drive have no paging file & "SET" D , E or any other drive have "custom" Paging file ( Min size will be Double of RAM & Max Size will be Re-Double of RAM). This will Deff Increase the speed of ur computer Try this out . If possible Then Format your computer & Reload all S\W it Will Deff work

Answer 6

Sorry, it sounds like you need to repair Windows, you might have to buy a new disc if you can't borrow one. If theres no back up folder on the pc you need the disc.
It might aslo be a bad sector on your hard drive; hopefully someone will tell you how to check (I don't know).

Answer 7

boot in safe mode,
use some other computer, (library for example) download
regvac. clean out the registry on your pc. doublecheck the startup and remove EVERYTHING from it.
you most likely have quite a bit of spyware, virus', adware, hijacks, etc going on there.

Answer 8

You probably have too many programs on your computer's hard drive. Try cleaning stuff you don't need from "Add or Remove Programs." It always worked on my computer, and also, you should clean up your start up.

Answer 9

There's not a CD or a floppy disk in the drive is there?

Answer 10

have you got 2 anti virus progs running at same time