Vista takes 10 minutes to connect

Hi there, hope someone out there can help.Some weeks ago my Dell C521
Desktop running Vista Home stopped connecting to networks after booting
and is taking up to 10 minutes to do so.During these ten minutes programs do
not respond while the "currently connected to" icon on the Taskbar shows
a red X, also right clicking on the icon shows a blank box.Once the red x
disappears eveything works fine. Sometimes after five minutes I can open/start
Google even though the red X is present.

I have run multiple virus and anti-malware scans with AVG,Malwarebytes,SpyBot,
CCleaner,Advanced System Care and Registry Cleaner. In addition I also ran SFC
(system file checker) to no avail.All these programs were installed long before
this problem arose and I had not downloaded anything at the time.

At first I thought it might be the Wireless Router which I replaced with a new one but the problem remained the same. My laptop connects without a problem with
no delay. I have checked network discovery which is set to ON and connection settings appear to be OK. I've also looked at Services and Start Up programs and
can't see anything that might be causing the problem.

Any help greately appreciated
Thanks in advance
JG

Hi yam1300,

Welcome to Vista Forums!

Try a clean boot http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135. If the problem goes away then it's just a matter of tracking down the culprit causing the problem. Follow the procedures in the article. Once found, delete, remove, deactivate, or uninstall it. Once done be sure to reset Vista back to normal status as explained in the procedures. If the problem occurs in clean mode then just restore the system to normal status and reboot - this solution is not going to work.

Boot into Safe mode with networking and see if the problem occurs there. Either result helps us narrow down the search for the cause.

You may be having troubles with your device drivers, firmware, and/or software. Go to Device Manager by going to start / search box and type device manager and enter and then double-click on the program icon that appears. Check each device for a red x, yellow ! or white ?. These identify devices with problems (probably drivers, but also conflicts or something else). Click on each for further details and troubleshooting tips. If you need to get drivers (and you should do so for your network or wireless device even if all seems well), do so from the computer vendor or device manufacturer (NOT from Microsoft Updates). Proceed as follows to get the drivers: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm. Once you have the drivers, you can install them through Device Manager as follows: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/193584-device-manager-install-driver.html.


If that doesn't work, try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began (if you can go back that far). Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html. Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points. If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two. NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed and uninstall any software you removed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates.

I hope this helps. If not, please post back with results and we'll try some other options to identify the cause and resolve it.

Good luck!

Hi Lorien THANKS for the very quick response,much appreciated.
I will work through your suggestions,this may take awhile as any-
thing involving a restart with the delayed connection/programs not
opening problem present will delay the process.
Thanks again,will let you know when I have work through the various
procedures

JG

Hi Lorien how are you.Clean Boot did not work but Safe Mode worked immediately,
connected without delay just like it used to.I reverted to normal boot and the problem returned.This time I get lots of error mesages that this or that program
is not responding.By the way Microsoft Essentials is also blocked for the ten minutes.
Now I have an additional problem the system keeps resetting to Start Windows Normally without warning.This is my third attempt to write a reply.It's like in a loop.
Talk soon
JG

Hi there,tonight after another bout of system crashes and hangs I looked at Event Viewer and saw an
"entry" for Windows Live Family Safety 2011,this mentioned something about a program hanging at boot
so I went to Add/Delete Programs and uninstalled it.I shut down and restarted and almost immediately
Network connections were made-that was the first time since December that that happened. I had
suspected any amount of other software which I had uninstalled without success,that was one of the worst
problems I have ever had with MS Vista.
Cheers
JG