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Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

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This is infuriating!

I recently finished reformatting my system, and re-installing a copy of Windows XP (SP1).
After going to a four day ordeal of web-updating it to SP2, and re-installing and reconfiguring all my applications just the way I wanted them, my laptop suddenly started to respond VERY, VERY sluggishly.

Here is what happens:

During the boot-up phase, it’s now taking over 2 mintues for my system to come up. Yesterday it was taking less than 25 seconds!
So I decided to fire up the “service.msc” during the bootup phase to see where the hang up was, and guess what I found?

The system is hanging on the bloody “Workstation” service, and it’s showing that by displaying the word “Starting” for almost a whole minute.

Needless to say this is very frustrating as it also seems to be affecting the Windows Explorer operation as well:

When I use the “Windows-E” button to fire up the Explorer, it takes a good 3 seconds for it to come up.
In contrast, double-clicking the “My Computer” icon, brings the Explore up instantly. This is rather baffling.

I’m willing to live with the Explorer slow down, but the Workstation service slowdown is taking its toll on my nerves.

Any help would be greatly appreciatd.

Here are the links to the current status of services on my machine (JPG format):

Started: http://tinyurl.com/ozclu
Manual: http://tinyurl.com/mmchw
Disabled: http://tinyurl.com/pz6tr

Thank you.

Topic

Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

In reply to Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

What did you do between starting up the unit when it was running properly and the next day when it was slow?

As you’ve said you’re NB does that mean that it’s a stand alone computer or connected to a network. I take it you mean that this is a stand alone unit is that correct?

Finally does it still boot up slowly in [b]Safe Mode?[/b]

Col

Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

In reply to Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

Hi Hal,

> What did you do between starting up the unit when it was running properly and the next day when it was slow?

Nothing! That is perhaps the most baffling part.
In the morning it booted up just fine… later on in the day, after I reboot it, it started to slow down.
This slow booting process was the main reason I decided to re-format my machine in the first place (I do it every 6 months).
Before, it took almost 6 months of work to have my system exhibit this problem. But it’s now doing it within four days of its re-installation!

> As you’ve said you’re NB does that mean that it’s a stand alone computer or connected to a network. I take it you mean that this is a stand alone unit is that correct?

Yes, it is a stand-alone system connected to Internet via a Cable MODEM.

> Finally does it still boot up slowly in Safe Mode?

I booted it up in the SAFE MODE in two ways:

In “Safe Mode”, it booted up very fast, but then again, it only had to START the following services:

Cryptographic Services
DCOM Server Process Launcher
Event Log
Plug and Play
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Windows Managment Instrumentation

In the “Safe Mode with networking enabled”, it took over two mintues to come up. These services had been STARTed:
Computer Browser
Cryptographic Services
DCOM Server Process Launcher
DHCP Client
DNS CLient
Event Log
Network Connections
Plug and Play
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Server
Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Windows Managment Instrumentation
Workstation

Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

In reply to Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

This isn’t a specific answer to your problems rather a general answer regarding Services.

Good info available for download at the TR link below:
http://tinyurl.com/7hb7o

The bad news? Two minutes is not an incredibly slow time for Windows w/all updates applied depending upon what apps run at start-up.

The good news? You can safely disable some services as shown in the above download. Also check the TR download area for tips on speeding up Windows. It’s a great resource.

Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

In reply to Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

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Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

In reply to Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

Ah, this is still an OPEN issue. I accidently closed it!
Opening up another similar….

Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

In reply to Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

The add comment button gone missing again!

Firstly a 2 minute boot from a cold start isn’t overly long but as you’ve got this NB connected to a Cable Modem through I would imagine the LAN Port try disconnecting the LAN connection and see if this helps. By your answer about booting in [b]Safe Mode[/b] it sounds as if there is a network problem somewhere in your system but you can try these links [b]Tune Windows XP to speed up boot and shutdown times.[/b]

http://tinyurl.com/gu9nr

If that doesn’t work try the following link as that is the download page of the above

http://tinyurl.com/jg33x

Col

Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

In reply to Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

My P4 3.06 GIG NB with 1 GIG of RAM takes about 2 minutes to boot with or without a LAN connection and it takes the same in both Safe and Conventional Modes, as well as taking about as long to Boot Debian Linux.

Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

In reply to Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

I have this same problem. I also am unsure what caused it. The problem seems to be with the workstation service, and despite the posts about tweaking services to boot faster, I doubt that is the solution; the workstation service ran fine on this computer previously.

I’ve noticed that if I have my wireless card enabled and there is an available network, the problem doesn’t occur. However, if it is disabled or if there is no network available, the service hangs, so it seems that the workstation service is waiting for something that the wireless card should be providing, but the servic is just waiting a long time and then timeing out. I’ve looked for settings on the card but didn’t come up with a solution. Maybe someone else has an idea?

Reinstalled wireless drivers

In reply to Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

I had the exact same prob. I used msconfig to narrow it down to the workstation service. As mentioned in a previous post, my computer would boot quickly after turning on my wireless network card and that’s with the workstation service running. Booting with the network card off and workstation service running = very long boot.

I uninstalled my network card and reinstalled it. That must have cleared some setting I didn’t know about, because my computer boots fine. That is, boots quickly with workstation service running and either wireless network card ON or OFF.

Glad I ran into you guys and good luck with the prob.

Rich

trojan

In reply to Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

I had the same problem and it turned ou that if i installed xp sp1 and put it on the internet , the w32.spybot trojan would download onto the pc and slow down the everything.If you have msssps running in your process in task manager you’ve got it or look for crssps.This would explain alot.My solution was to install service pack two before allowing onto the internet.This cured the problem

Add / Remove…

In reply to Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

I found myself having this same problem after using a TCP / IP “fix” utility, scanning for spyware, etc.

I just realized it’s because of the PREFETCH folder!!! WOW…and I had posted another solution that wasn’t a solution at all. I’m editing this one.

Check out the information on this site…

http://members.rushmore.com/~jsky/id14.html

He did a great job and even shows you how to fix your PREFETCH settings. I knew it was there to help with the speed of XP but never knew it was actually a bad thing to delete files from there!

Thanks,

RW

The wireless connection was my problem…

In reply to Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

I have a Dell Inspiron 9200. Same problem, long boot time. Eventually figured out it was the Workstation service. I had recently removed the fancy Intel software for the internal 802.11 hardware, but I had not disabled the device itself. I uninstalled the device, then rebooted. Workstation service started quickly again! Then Windows PnP located the device and reinstalled drivers (but not the big Intel pkg). Next reboot was slow again, so I disabled the device itself. Now reboots work just fine every time. I did not need to do anything with the precache folder.

I HAVE THE ANSWER!!!!!

In reply to Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

I had the same problem on several laptops, and I have solved it! Anyone who is using additional wireless software to manage their wireless connection (i.e. Intel, Dell, etc.)needs to uninstall it and use the native Windows Wireless Zero Configuration. If the service is disabled, enable it. After doing this, we can now all have mapped network drives, the Workstation Service enabled, and NO MORE HANGING AT THE WALLPAPER at startup!!

Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

In reply to I HAVE THE ANSWER!!!!!

HI all.
After getting crazy for fours months here the solution to save you some pain.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-11184-0.html?forumID=47&threadID=197152&messageID=2311170
Once I’ve fould out that the workstation service was slowing the all start up / login process with windows XP.
Here I am posting some considerations.
First the problem appear as a very slow login after typing your passord prior the desktop to appear.
The problem also appeared as an infinite need to repair continuously the connection (right clicking on the wireless icon) or often as inability to

connect wirelessly.

The SOLUTION to the problem “login to XP takes forever” is to remove any other software that manages the wireless card and let only the native Windows

Wireless Zero Configuration to handle it but the problem immediately desappear!!!.
Once you unistall any other software excepts the drivers of the wireless card, you must go on control panel/network

connections/advanced/general/properties/wirelss network and click on Use
Windows to configure my wireless network settings which will anable the native Windows Wireless Zero Configuration.

The problem is probably found in many computer that have the intel centrino chip set which uses the Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection but

maybe is with any other wireless
card that uses the intel software to manage.

Myself I did also utilize a second D-Link wireless card which was also utilizing its own software to manage and could work with the native Wireless Zero

Configuration) but it turned out because of the Intel(R) PRO/Wireless manager.
Myself just to be safe I unistalled also the D-Link softwarebut is not really necessary.

Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

In reply to Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

TWO MORE IMPORTANT Considerations:
THE PROBLEM DID NOT IMMEDIATELY GO AWAY!
1)
I had to reinstall (from an image I had) the entire operating system and then remove the Intel Wirelss manager from it.If I was not removing the Intel SW

the problem after few hours the problem reappeared (I restored the OS from the image like 30 times so I am certain).
For many people the problem will go away immediately just unistalling the wirelss software but that was not my case.
If you do not want to uninstall the operating system.you may go through a procedure to reset entirely the networking in your OS, I know there is a way to

do it but I never researched it.
(Maybe all you need to do is to remove all network conncections by uninsalling all drivers I chose to restart with a new XP)

2)
I utilize 2 wireless cards and I am having a second minor issue:
IF I DISABLE the wireless switch of my Intel card and connect the 2nd one, the pc still says that there are network available on the 1st. In other words

the card is not entirely off. I use a brand new DELL LATITUDE D820. Maybe this is to avoid the Plug&Play procedure.
As result I see two wireless icons on the bottom right when I only want one and altough the external DLINK says that is correctly connected to the

wireless network, Windows still seem to remain internally connected to the Intel one and as result will still be unable to see a webpage.
In order to “connect” Windows to the correct external network card I must click on its repair button (right click on its icon) and then everything is

ok. Maybe this is another bug of the os which wouldn’t come as a real surprise.
I hope this all note will be useful to you and save you a lot of time.
Good luck!
PS
If you find on the web that the prefetcher is the problem.. I think it is not true.

Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

In reply to Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

I forgot to mention that the problem appears also as prior login with a different mmc setup to show the activity prior login. That’s because even though the problem seems to appear after typing the login password, actuality the long delay starts prior typing it. The solution is the same as above.

You suck

In reply to Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

Learn English please, and then sort out what it is you are attempting to tell us. Once you’ve figured all of that out, try typing it in a sensical manner. Your post is actually more worthless than mine, devoid of any point or value. The only success your post has had is infuriating me enough to write this note over a year after your finger staggered around a keyboard and banged that turd out.

Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

In reply to Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

This a little late but it is a continuing issue even up to SP3. I have a laptop with both wired LAN and Wireless cards. Most of the time I use a cable modem connection for speed and reliability. Sometimes after switching to WiFi and then back I get the 2 minute boot crap. Without LanManServer started, half my other automatic services don’t startup either. Result: Really slow startup. Try this ridiculous sounding fix. Put Wireless Zero service on auto even though you’re not going to use wireless. Bingo, fast bootup. It’s another quirk brought to you by Microsoft. (like having to disable personal menus to get full drop-down menus in desktop). Now we have a brand new can of worms called Vista. Wheeeeee!, what a ride…..

Still problems in 2012

In reply to Reply To: Workstation service on Win XP runs slow

Just seen the exact same issue on a fully patched XP machine with an Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030 chip here in 2012!

One of two things happen:
– PC hangs on “Preparing network connections” for ages and then all is well
– PC doesn’t hang but on logging in, many services are not running, Workstation service is stuck “Starting”. Eventually, the Workstation service starts and other services then kick in but then WebClient service sticks instead. After a while it starts and then transitions to “Stopping” and stays stuck on “Stopping”.

Configuring a wireless profile with the Intel tool solves the problem!

With wireless disabled, the problem returns. Scott’s solution regarding the Wireless Zero Config service fixes the problem – thanks!

[Author]

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