start up programmes

[mellee70]

I have vista home basic 32 bit on a fujitsu-seimans laptop. I need to stop some programmes running at start up as it can take up to 10 minutes before it is ready to use. How do I do this. My knowledge is basic but if I have clear instructions I can do most things.
Thanks

 

[richc46]

Welcome,
I think the most easy way is to download the free version of WinPatrol. It makes changing start up items very easy. I liked it so much I have the pay version, but that is not something that you need right now.

 

[Madhur B]

Hi mellee70,

In addition, let’s try few steps to check if the performance improves:

1. Try to restart your computer then go to Safe mode and check if the problem persists. Please use the following link for detailed instructions to go safe mode: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/123496-safe-mode.html

2. If it works fine in safe mode try performing a clean boot to find the root cause. Please use the following link for detailed instructions to perform clean boot: How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows Vista or Windows 7

3. Perform SFC (System File Checker) scan and check if it helps. Please use the following link for detailed instructions to perform clean boot: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html

Please post back the results.

 

[Cytherian]

There are many things you can check, several already made by others here. Before installing any 3rd party tools, I would try a few things yourself.

• Under "All Programs" is a "Startup" sub folder. Check it and see what program shortcuts may be inside. You can delete any that you don't want launched during start-up.
• Run "msconfig" and select the "Startup" tab. From there you can deselect programs you don't want started. If you're not sure which programs may be causing the slow start, you can select to disable them all and then start a few at a time. I would avoid disabling any that are Microsoft owned. Read the "Boot Up" tutorial for more info.
• Read over the Tutorial on how to Speed Up the Performance of Vista. There are many useful tips in there (like defragmenting the hard drive, disabling unnecessary services, etc).
• Run MalwareBytes or other anti-malware anti-spyware software to clean out any unwanted programs residing on your computer that may be slowing it down.
• Delete any temporary files by doing a Disk Cleanup on your C drive, then defragment the hard drive (especially if you've rarely done this before--it's probably long overdue). Note that to work best, you should have at least 15% free disk space.

The tutorials will take a bit of time to read over, understand, and then perform the tasks, but it is worth it as 9 times out of 10 people see improvements.

 

[richc46]

The benefit of Win Patrol is that in addition to helping with start up items, it has many other features. For example it alerts you to changes that were made to your system. Great if a virus tries to make a change etc., plus many other features.

 

[Cytherian]

^ I don't doubt your experience, but I try to first take the tact of doing as much as possible without having to install more software. Previously, I used to install all kinds of tools to help troubleshoot issues, then once I achieved a solution I wouldn't think about uninstalling the software... leading to an eventual glut of software, which slows down the system.

Is there a good WinPatrol thread you could suggest on VF or SF that goes into details about it? I may want to give it a try. How much of a memory footprint does it create when installed?

 

[richc46]

Many great features plus psuedo anti virus, since it notifies you of any changes. I liked it so much I have the pay version (on sald .99), now a lot more
BillP Studios - WinPatrol Classic 2012

 

[MilesAhead]

The benefit of Win Patrol is that in addition to helping with start up items, it has many other features. For example it alerts you to changes that were made to your system. Great if a virus tries to make a change etc., plus many other features.

+1 I've used WinPatrol for years. I got the paid version during a discount drive. But the free version has plenty of valuable features. Aside from pulling programs out of startup my favorite feature is during installs, it tells you when something is added to auto start and I can nix it. One example is Java wanting to run a program just so it can keep looking for a newer version of itself. Many apps want to run little "agent" apps in the tray that aren't necessary to use the program. Also when an app tries to install a BHO or Browser Helper Object for IE, I nix it right away since I don't use IE browser. If not for WP I'd have to waste time manually checking what these apps stick on my system. Or I'd have to use a dedicated install monitor utility. These work pretty well but are generally pretty slow. WinPatrol catches most of the unnecessary stuff automatically.

 

[MilesAhead]

I have vista home basic 32 bit on a fujitsu-seimans laptop. I need to stop some programmes running at start up as it can take up to 10 minutes before it is ready to use. How do I do this. My knowledge is basic but if I have clear instructions I can do most things.
Thanks

Do you have at least SP1 installed? I'm asking because I purchased a machine with Vista Home Premium without the SP. Stuff that ran on that system used my HD to such an extent I felt like I had to make an appointment to use my own machine. Took me a couple of months to smooth it out(SP wasn't released yet.) I ended up giving up on it since it wouldn't take the Service Pack. I put W7 on to be done with it.

But anyway, stuff like uninstalling Norton AV without using the Removal Tool can make for very slow boots. The system waits for drivers to load that are no longer on the HD. You may have to do boot logging to find out. But if you uninstalled Norton without using the Removal Tool the first thing I'd do is download the tool and run it like, four times. Then see if the boot seems normal.

 

[whs]

WinPatrol is great - would'nt want to live without it. One great feature regarding the startups is that with WinPatrol you can very easily schedule them for delayed start.

I was lucky to get the Pro version for 99 cents - but the free version has all the functions you need.