Question about startup

[laurandavid]

Not sure if this is the right place or not, but please move if not.

I have XP SP3 on my desktop right now. In order for my pc to run smoothly, I have to boot it up once and restart it. If I do not do this my pc runs terribly slow. I have done virus scan with esset, cccleaner, etc. Each time on the first boot up if I try to do anything and go to shut it down, I always have to end program explorer.exe. That says windows is trying to operate but that file is not starting up correctly. If I boot it up the first time and restart it right away and use the pc, it works perfect on the second bootup with no slow down or anything. Anyone know what the problem may be? Hopefully all of that made senese.

Thanks.

[jdeb]

I would pull the hard drive and hot plug it to a stable pc or laptop and run malwarebytes on the suspect drive. You will need one of these...

IDE/SATA to USB 2.0 Cable Adapter - Turn Your 2.5", 3.5" or 5.25" IDE or SATA Drive Into A USB Drive! 2020

[12twelve12]

Have you looked at the Startup tab in msconfig to see what programs are starting up when you boot to Windows?

[Nuclear Krusader]

Try what 12³ suggests. Then try safe mode. Additionally, you can try a diagnostic startup: in the System Configuration that is summoned by msconfig, in the General tab, choose Diagnostic Startup. See what happens.

You can run most anti-malware programs and online virus scans in safe mode as well.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader Try what 123 suggests. Then try safe mode. Additionally, you can try a diagnostic startup: in the System Configuration that is summoned by msconfig, in the General tab, choose Diagnostic Startup. See what happens. You can run most anti-malware programs and online virus scans in safe mode as well.

I prefer to scan a suspected drive with no device drivers loaded. Besides, he said the problem is fixed with an immediate reboot. Why would the startup programs change or react different from one reboot to another?

[Nuclear Krusader]

Yes, I've noticed. But shouldn't we try the simpler things first? Not everyone has a bench with adapters readily available, or can run to the store to buy one.

[12twelve12]

Originally Posted by jdeb Why would the startup programs change or react different from one reboot to another?

I thought of this also but figured it's best to check anyhow before going on to more drastic measures.

Is it possible that a piece of software would react differently to a cold startup compared to a warm restart?

[Nuclear Krusader]

Originally Posted by 12twelve12 Is it possible that a piece of software would react differently to a cold startup compared to a warm restart?

This makes me become suspicious of the hardware. But let's take in baby steps and systematically and go from simplest to complexest.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader This makes me become suspicious of the hardware. But let's take in baby steps and systematically and go from simplest to complexest.

I agree, I think hot pluging the drive is the simplest and easiest thing to do first.

[laurandavid]

Originally Posted by 12twelve12 Have you looked at the Startup tab in msconfig to see what programs are starting up when you boot to Windows?

I have and the only thing that starts up are the required files along with my wireless printer server and virus scan. Maybe I will try to disable my wireless print server from starting up and see if that helps.

[rwest]

What happens if you don't touch anything on the first boot and just wait? and if so, How long have you waited for the first boot?

Is your second boot a hard or soft boot?

Is your computer set for sleep or standby?

Check your power options.

[laurandavid]

Originally Posted by rwest What happens if you don't touch anything on the first boot and just wait? and if so, How long have you waited for the first boot? Is your second boot a hard or soft boot? Is your computer set for sleep or standby? Check your power options.

When it boots up and gets to the use selection screen, I restart from there.

It is not setup for sleep or standby, just the screensaver to come on.

On the first boot I waited around 10 minutes and had the same issues. ON the second reboot I can use it after like 1-2 minutes with no issues.

I just installed windows 7, so we will see what happens.