[matt pearce]

Ok here's my problem:-

I was having trouble with windows trying to load a program called 'photgallery' on startup. I posted here and i was advised to remove any reference to photogallery from my start up menu after typing 'msconfig' in my run command this has worked fine and i have no problems, however...

My Pc is not even a year old and is the following spec :- XP Home, 3.4 ghz processor, 256 mb graphics card, 2 gb ram, 180 gb HD. It seems really slow starting up compared to my older previous PC which had a lower spec.

Removing references to photogallery go me thinking that there must be loads of crap in my startup that surely slows my PC down - am i right in assuming this? and what can i do about it. I'm sure theres loads of programs in my startup that are important and those that are not - how do i go about speeding up my PC starting up?

Thanks

Matt

[Advertisements]

If you have Norton AV installed, go into its options and disable (uncheck) the box for Scan system files at startup. Then reboot your computer and see how fast it boots up now.

Even if you don't have Norton itself installed, check whatever AV you are using to see if it has an option where it runs a scan during startup.

Fenor

[Fenor]

If you have Norton AV installed, go into its options and disable (uncheck) the box for Scan system files at startup. Then reboot your computer and see how fast it boots up now.

Even if you don't have Norton itself installed, check whatever AV you are using to see if it has an option where it runs a scan during startup.

Fenor

[Fenor]

As for your question regarding how to remove unecessary startup items, please do the following:

Lets take a look at what is starting up when your computer does. Please download HiJackThis from HERE . Install it, and once installed run the program. On the first screen click on Open the Misc Tools Section...On the next screen, click on the Generate StartupList log button and post a copy of the log here. You need not check either of the boxes next to this button.

Fenor

[matt pearce]

thanks Fenor - i'm at work at the moment, but i'll download hijackthis when i get home and try the steps you suggested for norton.

Thanks

Matt

[matt pearce]

Heres the log generated by HijackThis:-


StartupList report, 16/01/2007, 20:48:26
StartupList version: 1.52.2
Started from : C:\Program Files\Hijackthis\HijackThis.EXE
Detected: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
Detected: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.5730.0011)
* Using default options
==================================================

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:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Service\AdskScSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\DJSNETCN.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3dsMax8\mentalray\satellite\raysat_3dsmax8server.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\NAV\navapsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\NAV\IWP\NPFMntor.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RunDll32.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\AGRSMMSG.exe
C:\Program Files\Home Cinema\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATIAIE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\atwtusb.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Sony\SONICS~1\SsAAD.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\AGEIA Technologies\TrayIcon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\browser\ybrwicon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\YOP\yop.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\vsnpstd.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\BTBROA~1\SMARTB~1\BTHelpNotifier.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\X10\Common\x10nets.exe
C:\Program Files\btbb_wcm\McciTrayApp.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\browser\ycommon.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony Ericsson\Mobile2\Application Launcher\Application Launcher.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\SSScsiSV.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Teleca Shared\CapabilityManager.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMBgMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\NETGEAR\WPN111\wpn111.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexStoreSvr.exe
C:\Program Files\BT Broadband Desktop Help\bin\mpbtn.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\ymsgr_tray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Teleca Shared\Generic.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\YOP\secstat.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony Ericsson\Mobile2\Mobile Phone Monitor\epmworker.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Console\NSCSRVCE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\browser\ybrowser.exe
C:\Program Files\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\SSAUTORN.EXE

--------------------------------------------------

Listing of startup folders:

Shell folders Startup:
[C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\Start Menu\Programs\Startup]
Adobe Gamma.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe

Shell folders Common Startup:
[C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup]
BT Broadband Desktop Help.lnk = C:\Program Files\BT Broadband Desktop Help\bin\matcli.exe
Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
NETGEAR WPN111 Smart Wizard.lnk = ?

--------------------------------------------------

Checking Windows NT UserInit:

[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
UserInit = C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Recguard = C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
(Default) =
Keyboard Status = C:\PROGRA~1\Medion\KeyStat\KeyStat.exe
High Definition Audio Property Page Shortcut = HDAudPropShortcut.exe
Cmaudio = RunDll32 cmicnfg.cpl,CMICtrlWnd
ATIPTA = C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
AGRSMMSG = AGRSMMSG.exe
RemoteControl = "C:\Program Files\Home Cinema\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe"
EPSON Stylus Photo R220 Series = C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATIAIE.EXE /P30 "EPSON Stylus Photo R220 Series" /O6 "USB001" /M "Stylus Photo R220"
atwtusb = atwtusb.exe beta
SsAAD.exe = C:\PROGRA~1\Sony\SONICS~1\SsAAD.exe
iTunesHelper = "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
QuickTime Task = "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
BluetoothAuthenticationAgent = rundll32.exe bthprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent
TkBellExe = "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
HP Software Update = C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
AGEIA PhysX SysTray = C:\Program Files\AGEIA Technologies\TrayIcon.exe
YBrowser = C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\browser\ybrwicon.exe
YOP = C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\YOP\yop.exe /autostart
ccApp = "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
snpstd = C:\WINDOWS\vsnpstd.exe
Motive SmartBridge = C:\PROGRA~1\BTBROA~1\SMARTB~1\BTHelpNotifier.exe
btbb_wcm_McciTrayApp = C:\Program Files\btbb_wcm\McciTrayApp.exe
Sony Ericsson PC Suite = "C:\Program Files\Sony Ericsson\Mobile2\Application Launcher\Application Launcher.exe" /startoptions
Windows Defender = "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
NeroFilterCheck = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NeroCheck.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

DJSNetCN = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\DJSNETCN.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

MSMSGS = "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
Yahoo! Pager = C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\ypager.exe -quiet
ctfmon.exe = C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
BgMonitor_{79662E04-7C6C-4d9f-84C7-88D8A56B10AA} = "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMBgMonitor.exe"

--------------------------------------------------

Shell & screensaver key from C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.INI:

Shell=*INI section not found*
SCRNSAVE.EXE=*INI section not found*
drivers=*INI section not found*

Shell & screensaver key from Registry:

Shell=Explorer.exe
SCRNSAVE.EXE=*Registry value not found*
drivers=*Registry value not found*

Policies Shell key:

HKCU\..\Policies: Shell=*Registry key not found*
HKLM\..\Policies: Shell=*Registry value not found*

--------------------------------------------------


Enumerating Browser Helper Objects:

(no name) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn1\yt.dll - {02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670}
(no name) - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3}
(no name) - C:\Program Files\Aladdin Systems\Internet Cleanup\IC3hlpr.dll - {1f0c8547-2639-4c91-b8aa-c7eca24c3163}
(no name) - C:\Program Files\Aladdin Systems\Internet Cleanup\PopFiltr.dll - {1F2E844B-8211-46ff-8262-772F03295CF4}
(no name) - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F}
(no name) - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897}
Norton Personal Firewall - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AdBlocking\NISShExt.dll - {9ECB9560-04F9-4bbc-943D-298DDF1699E1}
NAV Helper - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\NAV\NavShExt.dll - {A8F38D8D-E480-4D52-B7A2-731BB6995FDD}
(no name) - C:\Program Files\EPSON\EPSON Web-To-Page\EPSON Web-To-Page.dll - {E99421FB-68DD-40F0-B4AC-B7027CAE2F1A}
(no name) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\browser\YSidebarIEBHO.dll - {F2AA9440-6328-4933-B7C9-A6CCDF9CBF6D}

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Task Scheduler jobs:

MP Scheduled Scan.job
Norton AntiVirus - Run Full System Scan - Matt.job

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Download Program Files:

[Shockwave ActiveX Control]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\system32\macromed\Director\SwDir.dll
CODEBASE = http://fpdownload.ma...director/sw.cab

[Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\system32\LegitCheckControl.DLL
CODEBASE = http://download.micr...heckControl.cab

[LSSupCtl Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\LSSupCtl.dll
CODEBASE = http://www.symantec....sa/LSSupCtl.cab

[yucsetreg Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yucconfig.dll
CODEBASE = C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\common\yucconfig.dll

[Symantec AntiVirus scanner]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\avsniff.dll
CODEBASE = http://security.syma...bin/AvSniff.cab

[YInstStarter Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yinsthelper1.dll
CODEBASE = C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\common\yinsthelper.dll

[Office Update Installation Engine]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\opuc.dll
CODEBASE = http://office.micros...ntent/opuc3.cab

[WUWebControl Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuweb.dll
CODEBASE = http://v5.windowsupd...b?1084026504781

[Symantec RuFSI Utility Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\rufsi.dll
CODEBASE = http://security.syma...n/bin/cabsa.cab

[AxisMediaControl Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\Program Files\Axis Communications\AXIS Media Control\AxisMediaControl.dll
CODEBASE = http://85.37.179.106/activex/AMC.cab

[YahooYMailTo Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\Common\ymmapi.dll
CODEBASE = http://download.yaho...mail/ymmapi.dll

[YAddBook Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\Common\yaddbook.dll
CODEBASE = http://download.yaho...alls/yab_af.cab

[AxisMediaControlEmb Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\Program Files\Axis Communications\AXIS Media Control Embedded\AxisMediaControlEmb.dll
CODEBASE = http://office.vermas...activex/AMC.cab

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Winsock LSP files:

NameSpace #4: C:\WINDOWS\system32\wshbth.dll

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad items:

PostBootReminder: C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll
CDBurn: C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll
WebCheck: C:\WINDOWS\system32\webcheck.dll
SysTray: C:\WINDOWS\system32\stobject.dll

--------------------------------------------------
End of report, 12,025 bytes
Report generated in 0.109 seconds

Command line options:
/verbose - to add additional info on each section
/complete - to include empty sections and unsuspicious data
/full - to include several rarely-important sections
/force9x - to include Win9x-only startups even if running on WinNT
/forcent - to include WinNT-only startups even if running on Win9x
/forceall - to include all Win9x and WinNT startups, regardless of platform
/history - to list version history only

[Fenor]

Please check Norton AV like I said for the Scan files on startup option and uncheck it if it is.

Fenor

[matt pearce]

Norton Av is unchecked - i restarted, wouldn't say it was much faster.

[Fenor]

Have you run DISK CLEANUP or DISK DEFRAGMENTER on your computer in while?

Fenor

[matt pearce]

i don't think i've ever run disk cleanup or defrag

[Fenor]

Run both of those, and then reboot your computer and poast how things are running and we will go from there. If you don't know where they are, they are located at START-->ALL PROGRAMS-->ACCESSORIES-->SYSTEM TOOLS.

Fenor

Edited by Fenor, 16 January 2007 - 04:10 PM.

[matt pearce]

OK - running disk cleanup now - I've always been a bit unsure what disk De-frag does?

*Edit* Disk cleanup just completed - 10,788,88!!!

[matt pearce]

Defrag report

Volume (C:)
Volume size = 331 GB
Cluster size = 4 KB
Used space = 90.80 GB
Free space = 240 GB
Percent free space = 72 %

Volume fragmentation
Total fragmentation = 12 %
File fragmentation = 24 %
Free space fragmentation = 0 %

File fragmentation
Total files = 165,891
Average file size = 716 KB
Total fragmented files = 21,699
Total excess fragments = 84,901
Average fragments per file = 1.51

Pagefile fragmentation
Pagefile size = 2.00 GB
Total fragments = 1

Folder fragmentation
Total folders = 11,802
Fragmented folders = 1,043
Excess folder fragments = 6,440

Master File Table (MFT) fragmentation
Total MFT size = 185 MB
MFT record count = 178,546
Percent MFT in use = 94 %
Total MFT fragments = 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fragments File Size Most fragmented files
1,221 5 MB \Documents and Settings\Matt\Local Settings\Temp\SonyEricssonPCSuite.log
1,196 1,024 MB \Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Video\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_1.VOB
1,062 12 MB \Documents and Settings\Matt\Local Settings\Temp\3dsMax8.0Install.log
1,053 241 MB \Documents and Settings\Matt\Desktop\movies\My Movie Files\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_1.VOB
887 5 MB \Documents and Settings\Matt\Local Settings\Temp\Norton AntiVirus 9-20-2006 23h42m14s.log
722 102 MB \Program Files\Corel® Painter™ IX.5 TBYB EN\Data1.cab
615 82 MB \Documents and Settings\Matt\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\GoogleEarth\dbCache.dat
595 50 MB \Documents and Settings\Matt\Desktop\movies\My Movie Files\VTS_03_1.mpg
475 95 MB \Program Files\MAXON\CINEMA 4D R9\library\browser\9.52lib.lib4d
442 36 MB \System Volume Information\_restore{5213C6C8-C5FB-4B14-9A3A-99B6A995BB99}\RP552\snapshot\_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE
429 393 MB \Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Symantec\Norton AntiVirus\Quarantine\46671F64.hdm
422 1.32 GB \Program Files\EA GAMES\Medal of Honor Pacific Assault™\main\pak1.rez
385 34 MB \System Volume Information\_restore{5213C6C8-C5FB-4B14-9A3A-99B6A995BB99}\RP502\snapshot\_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE
380 34 MB \System Volume Information\_restore{5213C6C8-C5FB-4B14-9A3A-99B6A995BB99}\RP498\snapshot\_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE
376 34 MB \System Volume Information\_restore{5213C6C8-C5FB-4B14-9A3A-99B6A995BB99}\RP516\snapshot\_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE
374 41 MB \Documents and Settings\Matt\Desktop\movies\My Movie Files\VTS_03_1.avi
331 34 MB \System Volume Information\_restore{5213C6C8-C5FB-4B14-9A3A-99B6A995BB99}\RP525\snapshot\_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE
302 34 MB \System Volume Information\_restore{5213C6C8-C5FB-4B14-9A3A-99B6A995BB99}\RP542\snapshot\_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE
290 32 MB \Documents and Settings\Matt\Desktop\movies\My Movie Files\VTS_01_1.mpg
288 55 MB \Program Files\Curious Labs\Poser 6\Runtime\heads\James\James_morphs.ph5
277 34 MB \Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Core\nero.exe
263 65 MB \WINDOWS\Downloaded Installations\Macromedia Dreamweaver 8\Macromedia_Dreamweaver_8.msi
251 34 MB \System Volume Information\_restore{5213C6C8-C5FB-4B14-9A3A-99B6A995BB99}\RP528\snapshot\_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE
229 977 KB \Documents and Settings\Matt\Desktop\Photo album\2006\May\Thumbs.db
225 36 MB \System Volume Information\_restore{5213C6C8-C5FB-4B14-9A3A-99B6A995BB99}\RP476\A0081550.msi
224 15 MB \System Volume Information\_restore{5213C6C8-C5FB-4B14-9A3A-99B6A995BB99}\RP543\A0121321.exe
224 15 MB \System Volume Information\_restore{5213C6C8-C5FB-4B14-9A3A-99B6A995BB99}\RP539\A0110307.exe
223 1 MB \System Volume Information\_restore{5213C6C8-C5FB-4B14-9A3A-99B6A995BB99}\RP540
223 14 MB \Program Files\Activision\Call of Duty 2\main\mappack4.iwd.tmp
210 325 MB \Program Files\EA SPORTS\EA SPORTS™ Cricket 07\Data\data.gob

[Fenor]

Disk Defragmenter moves the files on your hard drive so that they are closer together, which means the hard drive has to spin less times to read all the data that is needed and as such speeds up your computer.

Fenor

[matt pearce]

thanks for exlpaining that one - disk cleanup is still chugging away cleaning up uneccessary files...should i go ahead and defrag???

Edited by matt pearce, 16 January 2007 - 04:25 PM.

[Fenor]

Yes and then reboot your machine once it's done. Defrag can take quite a while to finish, but don't use your computer while it is running.

Fenor