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Question

Windows XP start-up problem

Aug 26, 2012 12:59PM PDT

Once booted, my computer takes 10 to 12 minutes to become operational. The Task Manager indicates no programs are running and there are no programs listed that I don't recognize. Once everything starts working, the computer works fine until I reboot. I would appreciate any advise. I have run a full McAfee scan and have no viruses.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Two things to try
Aug 27, 2012 12:56AM PDT

One, logon as a different user to see if the results are the same. Next, unplug from the internet and disable your AV program. Also, turn off MS automatic updates. Shut down, restart, and see the long wait times persist.

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Response
Aug 27, 2012 2:47AM PDT

Thank you for these two suggestions. Yesterday, I had deleted McAfee altogether but the computer still had a delayed start-up. Today, I turned off the MS automatic updates and tried to log on as a different user. Unfortunately, no effect. However, I did notice in Task Manager a .exe file that contains 6 numerical digits, a tilde (~), a "1", .exe. I have seen this format, although with different numbers, before. I have full scans with McAfee security center and McAfee Stinger but no viruses are detected.

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things to try
Aug 27, 2012 6:37AM PDT

I had a similar situation. I removed all USB plugs. one of two sticks of Ram. unplugged the cd rom.
when I booted it worked as before. I re started by re-plugging in items one by one. When I plugged back in the cd
my problem returned so I replaced the cd drive. Don't know if this will help you but you can give it a try.

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Answer
Try Clean Boot
Sep 10, 2012 8:28AM PDT