Laptop startup severely slowing down.

I've owned an Inspiron 6000 for over 2 years now, I think. It's always been good to me, always had a decent speed, hard drive capacity, I upgraded the RAM to 2048 mb as well.
But recently, the start-up of my laptop takes an amazing length of time; what used to be about 30 - 40 seconds tops now takes even up to 15 minutes, or maybe a bit longer. Sometimes after the Dell symbol appears, a line of white bars appears at the bottom of the screen, and eventually scrolls from the left to right (not even sure what it's for, I've not seen it before).

When the laptop's logged on and all the background programs have finished loading, it's as fast as it's ever been though, which is the confusing part. I have gotten rid of programs I do not need at start up such as iTunes etc, and left my anti virus, firewall etc to run at the log in process.

I regularly defragment, scan for viruses, malware etc. I don't clog up my hard drive, and I use CCleaner daily as a bare minimum. Are there any other causes to my laptop starting up incredibly slowly, and is there anything I can do about the huge amount of time my laptop takes to load?

mabye viruses or somthing? your antivirus probably isnt finding them

Guess it wouldn't hurt to back up your data and do a fresh format/install of windows providing you still have a legit xp disk? Also have you made sure your not leaving any cd's in the drive as it can contribute to the slow start up, and do you know what your boot sequence is?

I don't know what my boot sequence is personally, all I know are the programs that are started upon logging in.

I have Kaspersky Internet Security, which is regularly updated. I've only had one virus on this computer before, of which it detected and removed.

Fortunately, I have an external hard drive which has a copy of everything I have at the moment, but the windows disk that came with my laptop over two years ago is pretty ruined now, and doesn't work.

Post a HijackThis (HJT) log so we can see what all is going on - services and startups etc.

• From the desktop open Hijackthis.
• If using Windows Vista, Right-click and Run As Administrator
• Click on Do a system scan and save a log file
• Hijackthis will scan and then a log will open in notepad.
• Copy and then paste the entire contents of the log in your post.
  • Do not have Hijackthis fix anything yet. Most of what it finds will be harmless or even required.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 20:07:44, on 26/04/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16640)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0\avp.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
C:\Program Files\Digidesign\Drivers\MMERefresh.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\SiteAdvisor\6253\SAService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\bin\ZCfgSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0\avp.exe
C:\Program Files\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\winpatrol.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_06\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\usnsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R3 - URLSearchHook: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {089FD14D-132B-48FC-8861-0048AE113215} - C:\Program Files\SiteAdvisor\6253\SiteAdv.dll
O2 - BHO: GigagetIEHelper Class - {111CAA23-6F4F-42AC-8555-B48C1D87BBAB} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\gigagetbho_v10.dll
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee SiteAdvisor - {0BF43445-2F28-4351-9252-17FE6E806AA0} - C:\Program Files\SiteAdvisor\6253\SiteAdv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelZeroConfig] "C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\bin\ZCfgSvc.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVP] "C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0\avp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinPatrol] C:\Program Files\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\winpatrol.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SiteAdvisor] C:\Program Files\SiteAdvisor\6253\SiteAdv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ZoneAlarm Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_06\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Subscribe with ArchosLink - file://C:\Program Files\Archos\ArchosLink\\script.js
O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to Anti-Banner - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0\ie_banner_deny.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Web Anti-Virus statistics - {1F460357-8A94-4D71-9CA3-AA4ACF32ED8E} - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0\scieplugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {0A5FD7C5-A45C-49FC-ADB5-9952547D5715} (Creative Software AutoUpdate) - http://www.creative.com/su/ocx/15031/CTSUEng.cab
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://by111fd.bay111.hotmail.msn.co...s/MsnPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsof...?1168697954718
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://www.creative.com/su/ocx/15033/CTPID.cab
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\PROGRA~1\KASPER~1\KASPER~1.0\adialhk.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0 (AVP) - Kaspersky Lab - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0\avp.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
O23 - Service: Digidesign MME Refresh Service (DigiRefresh) - Digidesign, A Division of Avid Technology, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Digidesign\Drivers\MMERefresh.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Event Log (EvtEng) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Registry Service (RegSrvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Cyberlink RichVideo Service(CRVS) (RichVideo) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\CyberLink\Shared files\RichVideo.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Service (S24EventMonitor) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe
O23 - Service: SiteAdvisor Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\SiteAdvisor\6253\SAService.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless SSO Service (WLANKEEPER) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\WLKeeper.exe

--
End of file - 8147 bytes

You have Zone Alarm and Kaspersky firewalls running. Uninstall one and see if it helps. You should never have two firewalls or antivirus running at the same time.

Kaspersky's firewall has been disabled, thank you very much for informing me of that, I never would have found out.

Is there anything else I can do to help?

Disabling it isn't necessarily stopping it from running as a service which it needs to be uninstalled. Zone Alarm is known to be heavy on resources as well, is there any reason you can't just uninstall it and use the Kaspersky firewall?

That seems a better idea and less hassle. Zone Alarm is uninstalled now.

I'm not sure what to do, everything looks OK. We can check for a Rootkit just to be thorough.

Download Panda Anti-Rootkit.zip

• Unzip it and run the PAVARK.exe file.
• Tick the box that says In depth scan and follow the on screen instructions.
• Let me know the results in your reply.

Note: Panda Antirootkit is not compatible with Windows Vista.

I shall be doing that in the morning, it's quite late. I'll post the results as soon as the anti rootkit has finished. Once again, thanks for the help and advice.

No problem. Tomorrow will be fine, I should be around.

The Anti Rootkit software found nothing harmful of any kind in the scan, though it did advise an online scan just to be careful.

We could run an online scan just to be thorough and know 100% if it is or isn't virus related. I would rather run the Kaspersky online scanner though.

Use the Kaspersky Online Scanner

• Click Accept.
• Answer Yes, when prompted to install an ActiveX component.

• The program will then begin downloading the latest definition files.
• Once the files have been downloaded click on NEXT
• Locate the Scan Settings button & configure to:
  • Scan using the following Anti-Virus database:
    • Extended
  • Scan Options:
    • Scan Archives
    • Scan Mail Bases
• Click OK & have it scan My Computer

When the scan is done, in the Scan is complete window (below), any infection is displayed.
There is no option to clean/disinfect, however, we need to analyze the information on the report.

To obtain the report:
Click on: Save Report As...

• Next, in the Save as prompt, Save in area, select: Desktop.
• In the File name area, use KScan, or something similar.
• In Save as type: click the drop arrow and select: Text file [*.txt]
• Then, click: Save

Please copy and paste the Kaspersky Online Scanner Report in your next post.