www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Hi folks
I've noticed recently that the following happens. I switch on my pc and it seems to take minutes for all the icons to appear on my desktop. I have done a defragment and no change. Any ideas?

Check this first http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic87058.html, also what PC is it, make model, RAM installed and OS.

Do you have many files / folders on the desktop?

Normally lots of little files / files in folders or big files on the deskop makes loading times slower.

I suggest you:

1) remove unused files form the PC (right click on the system drive + disk cleanup)

2) uninstall all the software you don't need especially toolbars

If it's still slow go ahead with:

3) run msconfig and deselect apps you don't want to be launched when windows boots up

4) Install: http://www.iobit.com/advancedsystemcareper.html and scan for errors.

Regards
rs232

I installed Iobit as it was recommended elsewhere.

The first thing it did was remove Registry fix, reckon it contained 3 Trojans

Buy a removable hard drive and transfer all your stored files from your pc into it. It should help to reduce the burden on the pc

reformat your pc, only install the applications that you need, think twice about downloading and installing any other applications as these will just make your pc slower and leave unwanted regkeys and hooks if you uninstall them.

How big is the hard drive and how much space is left? Also go to your settings and remove unwanted and unused apps. They could be loading at boot time. Lastly, could be a virus so a thorough scan is worth doing.

Diskwise I do not recommend a second internal disk, they tend to overheat the PC. An external drive is best. Anyway, if you have any data of value you should be backing it up, either to a CD/DVD or to an external drive.

It is 2½ weeks since the OP last posted on this thread, so may have forgotten that he asked for help.

Firstly, what version of Windows are you using?

Update and run a full scan with each of your antivirus and antispyware/malware programs.

Then the next thing to do is download and run Ccleaner:
CCLEANER Setup Instructions

Then run a decent defrag such as Defraggler

Open Ccleaner go to Tools -> Startup and look at every item on the list. Any that you do not know, enter in the search box HERE and if they recommend that it does not need to start at bootup, then disable it.

dave

Thanks guys sorry i haven't been back on. I've been very busy with other stuff since i posted and haven't had chance to do anything.

Apologies if I'm hijacking this thread.

I've found this thread interesting and I've tried some of the tips that have been posted. I've used the system recommended by RS232 a few posts up but it hasn't sorted my problem. My PC boots up pretty quickly but has one really annoying feature that didn't used to be present. When I right click on anything (a folder to rename or delete, etc) I get the spinning wheel for about 30 seconds before the menu appears that gives the option to delete/rename, etc. I know it's only 30 seconds but it's really annoying. I have an HP laptop on Vista. 222 GB.....77 used, 145 free. It even did it when I right clicked the C drive to see how much capacity has been used.

Any ideas would be welcome. Thanks.

sounds like you have a bad context menu handler... have you ran ccleaner for registry fixes lately?

SW3 take a look at this? http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html
should help you find which shell extension is the problem before deleting it from the registry.

root wrote:sounds like you have a bad context menu handler... have you ran ccleaner for registry fixes lately?

Thanks Dave,

Unless it's inlcuded in what RS232 suggested: 4) Install: http://www.iobit.com/advancedsystemcareper.html and scan for errors.

Which checked loads of things and took about 45 minutes then the answer is no. I will try it now though.

root wrote:SW3 take a look at this? http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html
should help you find which shell extension is the problem before deleting it from the registry.

This has checked a whole host of things and I'm now at the point where I have to register and pay for the repairs. Do I need to subscribe and pay?