First time poster

[smithwmg1]

Please forgive any breach of protocol and politely correct if necessary. I could not find any threads specifically responding to this topic so I'm (obviously) posting a new one.

I have Outlook 2003 and it is paralytically slow opening any links mentioned in email. I've tried clearing cache memory and that help a little. I have never been sure if this is a problem with Outlook or IE. (I have tried switching to Firefox/Thunderbird but, for various reasons which I need to seek help on another forum, cannot currently use). That was much faster but not a current option.

I've recently been using Opera and that seems to blow IE away. I have not figured out how to fold Outlook, and some other programs, into Opera or I would commit to using Opera.

So, for the time being at least, I am stuck w/ IE and Outlook. So any suggestions on how to get Explorer to open links in Outlook faster would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Comodore]

That's a tough one... Try titling your post something related to your troubles, though, so you get more people to check it out!

This sounds like it might be related to your active protection? What security programs are you running? (Is one of them Norton perhaps?)

In the mean time,

Try running a chdksk and defragment

Start>(My )Computer>Right click on your OS drive (most likely C: )>Properties>Tools tab>Error Checking>Check both boxes>Click "Check now">Reboot

and

Start>All programs>Accessories>System tools>Disk defragmenter>defragment (after selecting which drive you want to defrag. Your C: drive is usually the most fragmented)

respectively.

Also, though you have cleared temporary files, try running Disk Cleanup (if you havn't already)

Start>All programs>Accessories>System tools>Disk Cleanup>Check the boxes of everything you feel comfortable with (I recommend checking everything unless you specifically know you don't need to/shouldn't check one or more)

Or, a better option is Ccleaner www.ccleaner.com

Clean up your registry using Ccleaner as well.

To make sure its not malware thats causing your woes, try running a full, updated scan with all your protection software, and perhaps a few online scans.

Kaspersky Free Virus Scan http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

Trend Micro HouseCall http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Microsoft Live OneCare Safety Scanner http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

BitDefender Free Online Scanner http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

McAfee FreeScan http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp?affid=294

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx

Symantec Security Check http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/d...d=ie&venid=sym

Panda ActiveScan http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeuse...ns/activescan/

Try the OneCare scan as it also cleans up your computer!

Make sure your copy of Windows and Microsoft Office are all updated support.microsoft.com

Check if you have too many startup processes in the background with Startup Inspector (which helps you pick which to keep and which to toss)

http://www.windowsstartup.com/startupinspector.php

Post back with any additional information ( Your OS, what security programs you have installed, and anything you feel is prudent) and we can help you further. Also, post with any more questions!

All the best,

--The Comodore

[smithwmg1]

Thanks for reply. I've tried about 2/3 of those remedies up to & including disk defrag. What I've been trying to do is figure out a way to find all the programs I inadvertantly have running when I Start PC. I'll take a look a the program that you suggested that scans that.

PS. I just tried installing a DVD burner from Quickstart. No use in trying to burn dvds (instructional; Creative Commons License). Now, Windows Media Player (10) no longer detects cd/dvd player in d:\. Hardware is enabled and working properly according to device manager.

Thanks again
wgs

[smithwmg1]

Pardon me, I saw the last request to include XP home sp2 pack for Windows, Mcafee security, along w/ freeware: Spybot S&D, Ad-aware. I have used MS Onecare a couple of times. I think its a free trial that I'm at the end of

[Comodore]

You might want to start a new thread about that problem. It can be difficult to fix, but I believe there have been others like it- before you start that thread, type the symptoms into a search (IE: "Missing CD drive" "Missing optical drive" "Missing DVD drive" "Missing drive" things like that)

As for your slowdown situation, if there is no change in your situation at the end of all that, you may want to reinstall MS Office. If that doesn't help, a fresh install of your operating system may be required- but put that off until last. (Although, thats what fixed my missing DVD drive issue when it happened to me.)

Hope to hear back from you soon,

--The Comodore

//EDIT

Oh, an if you're at the end of your security service trial, you will want to get a new system. I highly recommend ESET's Smart Security www.eset.com (its a security suite from the makers of NOD32) if you want to pay for it (although I don't think its that expensive, ESET is usually pretty good about that).

Otherwise, NOD32 antivirus or Kaspersky antivirus, and Webroot Spy Sweeper are my (paid for) recommendations. For a firewall, I highly recommend Comodo firewall (which is free) www.comodo.com

Comodo also has free antivirus, a free spyware blocker, and all sorts of free (good) security programs.

Additionally, I recommend a-squared free edition (http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/download/) and Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html).

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them- but if you're looking for more recommendations, I suggest checking out the "Viruses, spyware, and other nasties" forum under Tech-talk>Microsoft windows. There's a recent thread in there (in which I posted more detailed information)

Sorry for the long-winded answer!

Good luck, post back!

--The Comodore

EDIT//