Slow Start Up

[Nessa]

I've been putting up with a slow start up time on my computer for a few months now, but I've finally decided to ask. I've scanned my computer from top to bottom but found nothing. I pulled up msconfig and looked up the startup items and there is several things checked and I checked off the one's I recognized that I didn't want starting up then. The problem with the rest is that I don't recognize what they are, hence why I won't uncheck them because I don't want my computer to break down. I'm not very computer savvy, so I haven't tried defragmenting, since I have no idea how. Any idea of something I can do to help?

My computer is pretty fast when working, the only slow time is the start up time, everything else works great.

[Philip]

Hi Nessa,

Usually, slow startup times can be attributed to either a lot of programs loading up, or the presence of a virus or spyware. Have you scanned your computer for both spyware and viruses?

Forget msconfig, download Mike Lin's nifty small program called Startup Control Panel. Double-click on it and it'll tell you what's starting up in your system (go through the various tabs). To stop an item from starting up, just uncheck it, and vice-versa. Don't worry, you won't break your system! If you're still not sure what the items are, post back here and I'll try to help you.

Periodically clearing your hard disk of junk files is a good thing to do. I use Crap Cleaner, which is very easy to use, and for defragmenting, I use O & O Defrag 10, you can download a trial copy here.

Please post back if I can be of further help.

[patndoris]

I found cleaning out my prefetch folder helped tremendously with my slow boot times. However, if you've never done it or are unfamiliar with the steps it's important to look up good instructions.

And I agree with Philip. A periodic defrag as well as making sure you've got all spyware removed is critical. I'd recommend at least 2 spyware scans with different programs to be sure you've got the majority of it off.

One other thing to consider is that multiple IM clients loading at start up tends to delay boot time a great deal. If you use several, it might be worth a try cutting back to your favorite one as the only one to load at startup and then just manually open the others.

-Doris-

[VvWolverinevV]

What are your system specifications (operating system, processor, memory, hard drive size)? It may just be time to upgrade.

[steelertown]

disk size manager is good to get rid of unwanted junk on ur computer and its free

[EvilSeph]

Based on what Nessa said, disk fragmentation would not be the root cause of the problems as the system runs just fine after initial startup. A lot of startup programs or malware would likely be the cause as already stated.

However, I thought it would be important to point out that clearing your prefetch folder is NOT a good idea.

I could explain why myself, but I think more trusted sources would do the job better: a post by Ryan Myers of the Microsoft Windows Client Perform Team and a post by former PC World Editor Edd Botts.

[David]

I've been putting up with a slow start up time on my computer for a few months now, but I've finally decided to ask. I've scanned my computer from top to bottom but found nothing. I pulled up msconfig and looked up the startup items and there is several things checked and I checked off the one's I recognized that I didn't want starting up then. The problem with the rest is that I don't recognize what they are, hence why I won't uncheck them because I don't want my computer to break down. I'm not very computer savvy, so I haven't tried defragmenting, since I have no idea how. Any idea of something I can do to help?

My computer is pretty fast when working, the only slow time is the start up time, everything else works great.

If you post a hijackthis log, I could examine and identify some of the items.

Honestly I'd just uncheck everything and restart, then see what doesn't work. The only things that would/could cause problems are the devices that need extra functionality (e.g. keyboards with volume control, digital cameras that are detected and launch download software). Most of the things that run aren't needed (other than AV/firewall products). If you have problems, you can just re-enable things to figure out which process does what.

[Nessa]

Here it is. Please tell me if this includes something I shouldn't be showing to the public (personal info and such), thanks.

Oh and I did a defrag a few weeks back (finally) and still no change.

[David]

There isn't any personal information in the hjt log.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv] c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe

hpsysdrv.exe is a utility from HP which monitors how many recoveries have been made in Microsoft Office suite. This is a non-essential process. ...
I see no need to use this.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe

hkcmd.exe is installed alongside Intel multimedia devices and allows configuration and diagnostic options for these devices. This program is a non-essential
I would remove this.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CamMonitor] c:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Unload\hpqcmon.exe

This is a non-essential process. Disabling or enabling it is down to user preference.
If you have a camera and like that it’s running in the tray, or pops up the unload software when you plug it in, keep it. Otherwise remove it. You will still be able to access it somewhere in the start menu.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD05] c:\Program Files\HP\{45B6180B-DCAB-4093-8EE8-6164457517F0}\hphupd05.exe

hphupd05.exe is a process belonging to the HP Photosmart application and is responsible for keeping this software up to date.
I wouldn’t keep this, but if you *really* want your photosmart applications up to date, keep it.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHmon05] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hphmon05.exe

hphmon05.exe is a process relating to the Hewlett Packard software HP Photosmart, and provides easy access to flash card reading functions.
If you need “easy flash card reading functions,” then keep it. If you don’t know what it is, remove it. (I’m not sure if this will detect you insert a flash media card into a reader on the computer, and then pull images off it or what.)

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE

kbd.exe is a process from Logitech which allows you to configure the additional keys on their multimedia keyboard products. This is a non-essential process.
If you use the media keys on your keyboard, keep this.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdateManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r

sgtray.exe is a utility from VERITAS Software Corporation which installs itself on the system tray bar, and serves to remind you to backup your files.
If you use the “VERITAS” backup software, then keep this. Otherwise remove it.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" –osboot

realsched.exe is a program which schedules for manual update checks for Real Networks products. This is a non-essential process.
This isn’t needed.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE

recguard.exe is a process from HP that prevents a user from deleting or corrupting the WinXP Recovery Partition on Hewlett Packard computers.
This isn’t a big deal, just don’t write data to the (probably hidden) partition that holds recovery information. If you’re really worried about accidentally breaking everything, you could keep it. I would remove it and just know not to touch the recovery data.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTTimer] VTTimer.exe

vttimer.exe is installed alongside the drivers for S3 chipsets and adds increased diagnostics and functionality for these products.
This could be removed, It’s not clear exactly what it does, but it’s unlikely you need any of these functions.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LTMSG] LTMSG.exe 7

Ltmsg.exe is a program that most likely was installed by you and did not arrive on your pc when you purchased it. This program is called Lucent techologies communication software, and it handles both incoming and outgoing calls. Please view actual file location shown below to verify your file is located in the proper disk location. This is not considered adware or spyware.
If you have any idea what this is (or if you use your modem to make calls), then keep it. Otherwise remove it.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PS2] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe

PS2.exe or PS2 : Hewlett-Packard's multimedia keyboard driver which enables the end-user to use the automation features of HP PS/2 multimedia keyboard
Keep this if you like your multimedia keys.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Lexmark X1100 Series] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark X1100 Series\lxbkbmgr.exe"

lxbkbmgr.exe is a process installed alongside Lexmark Series Printers and provides additional configuration options for Lexmark Printers.
This probably provides “ink low” alerts, and “document printed successfully” dialogs for your printer, if you want that stuff—keep it, otherwise remove.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe"

jusched.exe part of Sun Microsystem's Java2 suite. This background process looks for Java updates and installs them,
No need for this, but it’ll probably just keep coming back. Remove if you want, it might show up on reboot.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AlcxMonitor] ALCXMNTR.EXE

alcxmntr.exe is installed alongside hardware drivers for the Realtek AC97 audio device. This program is a non-essential system process, but should not disabled.
Keep this, your audio might not work properly otherwise.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LVCOMSX] C:\WINDOWS\system32\LVCOMSX.EXE

This is a software program that is related to use of the Logitech QuickCam (webcam). This file may also be found with a similiar file named lvcoms.exe (without the x in the name). This provides a variety of features including the ability to use the webcamera with various streaming applications, including Microsoft Netmeeting. This is not considered spyware and is considered safe. (See the details below for the actual location of this file.)
If you have a quickcam, you might want to keep this. It seems like an abstraction layer for programs that wouldn’t otherwise support the cam. You could remove it and then check to make sure the cam still works with Y!Mesgr and whatever other applications you use it with, turn it back on if things are broken.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechVideo[inspector]] C:\Program Files\Logitech\Video\InstallHelper.exe /inspect

the process Install Helper or InstallHelper belongs to the software Logitech QuickCam Software or Acer OrbiCam Software by Logitech Inc
This seems to verify that the helper service is running on start, disable this if you disable other quickcam features.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechCameraService(E)] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ElkCtrl.exe /automation

The process Logitech Camera Service(E) belongs to the software Logitech Camera Software by Logitech Inc (www.logitech.com). ElkCtrl.exe is able to record inputs, monitor applications.
I think you can safely remove this.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [YSearchProtection] "C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Search Protection\SearchProtection.exe"

Search protection for yahoo.
If you use it/know what it is, keep it.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" –atboottime

Quicktime launcher.
Remove this, but it might come back anyway.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"

iTunes launcher
Remove this, but it might come back anyway.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"

Symantec/NAV core
Keep this!

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [osCheck] "C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\osCheck.exe"

Symantec/NAV core
Keep this!

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NVIEW] rundll32.exe nview.dll,nViewLoadHook

nVidia nView.
This handles some nvidia graphics card specific stuff, it might be the utility which controls the VGA/DVI external monitor output on your computer (if a laptop).

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Free Internet Window Washer] C:\PROGRA~1\FREEIN~1\Clearpch.exe –Start

I think this is spyware. Remove it.

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [updateMgr] C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AdobeUpdateManager.exe AcRdB7_0_9

Adobe reader update manager.
No need for this, remove it unless you *really* want updates for Adobe constantly.

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] "C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\YahooMessenger.exe" –quiet

Yahoo Messenger tray.
Remove this if you don’t want Y! running on startup.

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [YSearchProtection] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Search Protection\SearchProtection.exe

Yahoo search protector.
Seems to have two entries, you could remove one (or both if you don’t want it)

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe

This is a Windows media player non-essencial process. If you uncheck it, it might come back, but I’d remove it anyway.

[Nessa]

Done. Thanks David. I'll see what happens when I reboot.