boot

Clear out everything from your Temporary Internet Files folder. Clear out (delete) *.tmp, ~*.* and then run a scandisk and a defrag. Clearing out old files and defragging (putting together all the fragments of files -- files get separated on thehdd as you work on them) helps your hdd work.

Other than the above suggestions, you will need to include more info about your hardware. What processor? How much RAM? How much free space remains on your hdd? Are you noticing any unusual noise coming from your hdd (clicking and claking sounds could be a sign of a failing hdd as it tries again and again to read a sector going bad). How much longer does it take to boot up now than it did originally?

You might also want to run msconfig and choose selective startup and then at the last tab, uncheck everything except explor and systray. The programs in that list are pre-loading and eating resources, which you usually do not need everything to pre-load because you do not use all of theprograms.

When the Windows cloud screen is there just hit eascape. You can see if anything is going on durring the DOS boot, kind of like looking behind the screen. For instance your virus software may be doing a scan of the drive. This is called up from the autoexec.bat file located on the root of the C drive. You can edit the file and type "rem" (which changes command to remark) in front of any lines that are associated with virus scan software. Or you can do a selective boot hit the F8 key before the cloud screen comes up and choose selective boot. It will go through the bootup commands one at a time and asks if you want to allow it to load.

Hi

Before you start troubleshooting you should make ERD and do a backup for the following system and system configuration files: Registry, config.sys, autoexec.bat, system.ini, Msdos.sys, Winboot.ini, Winstart.bat Wininit.ini and win.ini.

There are many places where software and drivers are starded these are:
startup folder
Autoexec.bat
config.sys
system.ini
win.ini
Registry seven places
winstart.bat

There are many reasons which cause this dealy.
1- Computer Viruses and trojanhorses.

2- If your PC connected to a network:
PC trying to tto connect to network and retry will take time.
Some network models such as netware NDPS will take time if the netware admin did not set it. (when you install netware client it will install it by defult even the service not been installed by admin)

3- Hardware drivers.

4- Power Management comptability.

5- File system performance settings
6- Disabled cache.
7- Hardware problem such as RAM.

plz read these MS articles.

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q192926

How to Troubleshoot Using the Msconfig Utility with Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q281965

System Configuration Utility Advanced Troubleshooting Settings
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q181966

Description of the File System Troubleshooting Options
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q165503

Good luck

Mohamed

note:
Some programs started it the registry such as services will not appear in msconfig Utility or when you press Ctrl + Alt + Del key companations.

You need a special software such startup cop from zdnet a free utility or a utility such as winkey (free) which has a functionto that shows process.

***Very Important NOTE *********
After you copy the URL a space

Both previous answers offer some excellent advice. If the suggestions do not resolve the issue you can try BLA (bootlog analyzer). It's a free download that will tell you exactly what is happening and how much time is expended for each item loaded during bootup. At the top of my list is usually to look at network cards and protocols. If you have a network card that is installed (even if you're not connected to a network) it will look for the network and/or other machines with similar network protocols. Nest on the list are zip drives, cd drives and video cards.

Here's a link to BLA. Run it and tell us the results.

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Downright_pages/downrights_a-z.htm

Enjoy,

DrBob:>)

I agree with answer #2. I had a similar problem if I had a network card and Mcafee antivirus installed on my PC. I found that removing the initial scan from autoexec.bat solved the problem.

You might also want to try msconfig.exe to see what isin the startup and remove all the unneccessary apps that load.

Possibles:
Driver issue check drivers and update
IRQ clashes check for clashes indevice manager
Fragmented/ HD
General housekeeping required, scandisk defrag
Clear everything in Windows\temp folder.
clear all *.chk files from root from improper shutdowns.
Memory, could upgrade memory.
Last resort, backup user files and format reinstall.

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