I think it's related to the Prefetch feature in XP. What the prefetch folder does is that it contains a list of current programs that you run (frequently?). So basically if you run some program more often than others, Windows will give that a higher priority. The said program should load faster than usual. But there is a limit. If the prefetch folder gets too big, it can/will slow down Windows. So it's not a bad idea to empty out that folder from time to time.

Thanks, I'll try that prefetch registry key. I've disabled a lot of things, but still it seems like mine takes a few mins too boot up. I only have like 4 things starting up in my msconfig. Maybe it's some of the services that starts up. Not too sure, but I'll end up formatting sometime soon. I hate it when it slows down.

Microsoft actually has a free utility to speed up your boot time. It has helped me in the past. I forgot what is was called thouhg. Try searching for it on the microsoft website. Also there are registry hacks to get rid certain things like the "windows" screen that appears before windows loads. You can also try switchins the login screen to the old classic style and eliminating unneeded tasks that execute on start up (run > msconfig). Also if you have alot of fonts installed, this can greatly slow down your boot time. Try storing your fonts in another folder and only install them as you need them. Just be sure to leave the default fonts in there and any fonts that are required by your applications (or just ones that you use frequently). Clean your registry. I fyou have installed and unistalled alot of programs you might have alot of random crap in there that isn't needed. I use a program called TweakNow RegCleaner for this.

[quote="foolakadugie"Microsoft actually has a free utility to speed up your boot time. It has helped me in the past. I forgot what is was called thouhg. Try searching for it on the microsoft website.[/quote]

Are you referring to Bootvis.exe?

[quote=pat23,Oct 17 2005, 05:42 PM]
[quote="foolakadugie"Microsoft actually has a free utility to speed up your boot time. It has helped me in the past. I forgot what is was called thouhg. Try searching for it on the microsoft website.[/quote]

Are you referring to Bootvis.exe?

[/quote]
That's the one

[quote=foolakadugie,Oct 19 2005, 07:54 PM]
Are you referring to Bootvis.exe?

[/quote]
That's the one

[/quote]

I can attest to bootvis' excellent help. When you first start it, you have to set it to "track" and do a reboot for it to get a look at what your computer does while it is booting.

When that is done, it starts when windows starts and you can select "Optimize" and it'll change some settings (which I'm not sure) that will do good things for your boot time.

It's actually no longer available from Microsoft's website, but you can download it at MajorGeeks.com. Here's a direct link to their download page.

Also, Make sure you are running Ad-Aware and SpyBot Search and Destroy. Together these make the best way to combat the spyware that is most likely loading when Windows starts and eat up valuable resources while you're trying to do other things on your computer.

I would go thru your add/remove programs, remove things you do not
recognize such as, Internet Optimizer, CometCursor, etc etc etc.
Pay extra close attention to sub 2 meg programs that are installed.

Then go to http://www.srnmicro.com and download the trial version
of solo antivirus. NOTE: imho Solo is a crappy AV, but it is GREAT for
breaking loaders, trojans, spammers and spyware. Then after a scan
or two with Solo, go to http://housecall.antivirus.com and run a full
scan.

Alot of times spyware and virii will break your AV, so that it cannot see
them.

ViriiGuy

[quote=akijikan,Oct 20 2005, 04:50 AM]
That's the one

[/quote]

I can attest to bootvis' excellent help. When you first start it, you have to set it to "track" and do a reboot for it to get a look at what your computer does while it is booting.

When that is done, it starts when windows starts and you can select "Optimize" and it'll change some settings (which I'm not sure) that will do good things for your boot time.

It's actually no longer available from Microsoft's website, but you can download it at MajorGeeks.com. Here's a direct link to their download page.

Also, Make sure you are running Ad-Aware and SpyBot Search and Destroy. Together these make the best way to combat the spyware that is most likely loading when Windows starts and eat up valuable resources while you're trying to do other things on your computer.

[/quote]

Be careful when using bootvis, M$ did not stop it's support for no reason. It even once screwed a fresh windows xp installation . Lucky it only took 15min to reinstall it (I just loooove those unatendet installs )

Yeah i removed alot of crp programs i no longer need, and a few virus scans, a disk defrag, and i used bootvis and all that got it back down to about 2 mins to start up.

Thanks guys/girls

Hey Wutske

After I fiddled around with Registry Mechanic and "optimized my system", the Prefetch is 5 already!! No wonder - I could clearly see the difference between the past Windows XP boot-up session (the bar, too!).

But here's some advice if you want to get rid of that 3~4 minute boot up time:

1. Defrag your hard drive
2. Run a virus scan, Ad-Aware, and some popular softwares
3. Get some more RAM - I am serious in this one. I am not very satisfied with 512 MB either (I used to run it with 128 MB - it was hell) Now I have 1 gigabyte
4. Reformat your hard drive Instant clean-up

Well, dont forget to make back up for important data and stuff I'm looking forward to a reformat of my own as well