Would you please help me to figure out why my computer takes so long to load?

Question

I have a Dell laptop (with Windows XP) that's 3 years old. I have a McAfee prescription, so my anti-malware software is automatically upgraded. I've noticed that my computer is taking a much longer time to load inbetween shutting down, logging on, or switching users. I'm not running any other programs, and I rarely download any new software files (or anything, even music and videos) off of the internet. So what do you think could be causing this? Does McAfee not do such a good job detecting spyware?

Task manager shows a TON of processes running (most of them I don't understand or recognize; about a third of them are from user = system, so I always assume those are the important ones). Any help is greatly appreciated!! I'm computer illiterate!

Should I also consider getting a Mac computer? They seem much more user friendly than windows. . . .

Answer 1

First things first.
1. Run your virus protection, to make sure you are not infected with any infections.

2. Click start, all programs, accessories, system tool, disk clean up. Click more options tab, clear old system restore points. Go back to preivious tab, check all options, click okay. (Note: it may take several minutes, to complete.)

3. Click start, all programs, accessories, system tool, disk defrag. This can take 10 minutes to a few hours, depending on how often you run it.

4. Go into add/remove and remove any programs you no longer us.

5. Finally, click start, run, type, msconfig, start up tab, search for all startup item names, Here http://www.processlibrary.com/ The programs run in the background at all times, some of which are not needed to. Once done click applly, okay, yes to restart, Once computer restart, check the small white box, click okay and your good to go.

Answer 2

Windows (any flavor, including XP) runs a great number of startup processes that may or may not be really essential to what you do. There are third-party startup managers that show you every process and let you decide what you want to allow.

Most laptops you purchase from a large vendor like Dell will come preloaded with all sorts of 3rd party software - much of which will preload at bootup. This is where your slowdown comes from...and yes, McAfee or ANY of the antimalware scanning programs are all going to soak resources.

Is Mac OSX any better at boot? I haven't stopwatched them side-by-side for quite some time, so I can't comment. But realize that any three-year-old computer running a current OS is going to be weighed down by the load. Sorry, but 3 years is a long time in computer evolution terms.

Answer 3

Most of the time we have tons of programs running and we don't even realise about it.

Check all your programs, especially those to do with internet.
When you start your computer, all the antivirus, firewalls and inernet programs try to start at once and connect to the internet at the same time, that's why it takes so long for your computer to load ( I had the same problem).

If for example your messenger starts up automatically when you start you computer, change it so it only starts when you want.

It will make a big difference.


Macs are more professionally orientated. I wouldn't say they are more friendly than PCs, but they are more reliable. The only problem I see with Macs is that there are not as many good programs for Mac than for PC ( on a professional level) , and that if you are used to using PCs ( or laptops) it can take you a while until you get the hang of it, as they work a bit different ( I find them a bit irritating).

Answer 4

Every once in a while - I go into my msconfig.exe file to whittle down unnecessary startup items.

You can access yours by clicking - Start - Run - (typing) msconfig.exe and then go the Startup Tab.

I've kept the System files and things that sound official but files with odd pathways - windows utility/program/hidden - things that look suspicious, I uncheck.

Be careful at what you do and don't click on but whittling some of those programs should speed up your reboots.

About a Mac - I've never considered getting one. Everything needs to be bought seperately from a dinky shelf in the stores I go to and it doesn't seem worth it for myself. Still your decision though. It would probably be cheaper to upgrade your Windows than to buy a new computer.

Answer 5

First run defrag.
It will take a long time if you've never done and it should fix a lot of your performance problems.
Also, if you use IE go to tool, internet options and delete files. Then click setting there to change the "temporary internet files folder" to less than 100... there is rarely a need for that to be higher. This should resove much of your performance issues.

Answer 6

a slow loading usually because between 1 lack of memory/u have install a lot of programs in your operating system, 2 was running heavy memory use program, 3 virus , 4 your firewall r running,5 often close program/windows unproperly, 6 u upgrade your windows operating system/not new install 7 ur running in a network

Answer 7

first thing is get rid of the mcaffee stuff, all of it. it's a resource hog, top heavy, and not worth it. move over to a lightweight a-v like avg, or avast! just as good w/o the system pervasion.
get yourself 'ccleaner' and run it (free download from several sites), then try defrag/clean disk, next scan for ad/malware (via spybot, ad-aware) take actions as needed for each. make sure your up-to-date on your microsoft criticals; if you haven't clean installed windows for 3 years, it may be so cluttered that files are missing/relocated and they can't be found easily. back up all files (via cd/dvd) all your wanted stuff (pics, sounds, favorites, etc.) and do a clean install (using your windows disk)

Answer 8

im sorry to say its probably spyware. mcaffee and norton are mostly for viruses and trojans... download avg free from www.download.com it works really really well...or download the free adaware 6...oin fact do both. other than that i have only 2 suggestions. 1 buy a mac or 2 do a system restore and downlaod the operating system windows vista from microsoft.com there are less viruses for it.

Answer 9

you are able to click on the beginning up button, then bypass to classes , below which you will see initiate in basic terms examine no count if this is empty or no longer.no count if this is then nicely and sturdy if no longer then you quite will could desire to eliminate this gadget to develop the fee of your pc.Yeah it ought to be a demonstration of virus/trojan/malware,etc.even i confronted this situation and my pc had to be reformatted. I lost each thing in the approach despite if it exchange into incredibly worth it now the fee has stronger.

Answer 10

I would run MSCONFIG and find out what programs are set to automatically load at startup.

Go to Start >> Run >> type msconfig

You can find out how to use MSCONFIG here - http://www.vermontpcsolutions.com/how_to_use_msconfig.html

You can find links to anti-spyware and anti-virus sofware and resources at that site too!