Member Avatar for adriansims

Hi,

I have a problem where on initially it appeared that I had no start menu / desktop on Windows XP SP2. Whilst looking which at a number of threads , and performing some invistagation they eventually appeared after 5/10 mins.

The system has symantec AV and is free. New accounts have the same problem.

Help appreciated

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Dani AI

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A short expert addendum that complements the replies here: the problem pattern (very slow Start menu/desktop on XP) is usually Explorer waiting on an external resource while it builds the shell. ultimately fixed it, and earlier suggestions from and about testing in Safe Mode and looking at AV behavior were on the right track. Below are concise, practical diagnostics and fixes that are safe to try next time.

Why it stalls: Explorer queries file systems, mounted volumes, shell extensions (context menu/icon handlers), mapped network locations and any on‑access AV hooks during user logon. If a device or extension blocks or times out, the shell thread stalls and the Start/menu/desktop can take minutes to appear.

Quick checklist (work from top to bottom):

  • Try a clean boot: Run msconfig, hide Microsoft services, disable non‑MS services and startup items, then reboot to isolate a third‑party component.

  • Check mapped networks and removable media: list mapped drives with net use and remove any that point to offline servers; eject any media and disable AutoPlay temporarily.

  • Rebuild icon cache / run basic integrity checks:

    sfc /scannow
chkdsk c: /f /r
net use

  • Inspect shell extensions and startup hooks: use tools such as Autoruns/ShellExView to disable third‑party shell extensions; use Procmon (filter on explorer.exe) to capture long-duration file/registry calls during login.

  • Check Event Viewer (System/Application) for time-stamped errors at the failing logon time.

Final notes: make a restore point before changing services or drivers. If the delay is resolved by removing a device or disabling an extension, update or replace that device’s driver/firmware. These steps will help pinpoint whether the cause is media/hardware, a shell extension, network redirection, or AV hooks.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

Hi,

I have a problem where on initially it appeared that I had no start menu / desktop on Windows XP SP2. Whilst looking which at a number of threads , and performing some invistagation they eventually appeared after 5/10 mins.

The system has symantec AV and is free. New accounts have the same problem.

Help appreciated

Hic Hic ,is that right ! is free ,whats free .

any was enough trying to be funny ,have you tried booting in safe mode and see how it works and maybe running you symantic av .safe mode ,hitting f8 on boot up, chose safe mode .

Member Avatar for Comodore

Hm. First, try uninstalling the Symantec antivirus- its probably outdated if its free, and Norton is well known for bogging down systems. There are many better (Cheap (NOD32) or free ( Comodo (www.comodo.com) Avira Antivir (www.free-av.com), AVG (www.avg.com), Avast! (www.avast.com) ) not to mention other free security solutions (Adaware, A-squared, Spybot, SUPERAntiSpyware for spyware, Comodo, Zonealarm for firewall, to name a few)

If your computer doesn't respond too much to removing Norton, try installing one of those free ones (I recommend Antivir strongly), updating it, and running a full scan. Short of that- or in addition to it (preferably) you may want to run some free online anti-malware scans.

Here's a list of what I know of:

CA Virus Scan: http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx

CA Malware Scan: http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/pestscan/

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

Microsoft Live OneCare Safety Scanner

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 &venid=sym

Panda ActiveScan http://www.pandasecurity.com/usa/

---Under this line does not remove, only finds, threats---

Webroot Antispyware Scan: http://www.webroot.com/En_US/land-spysweeper-freescan.html

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

Prevex free scan:

I recommend running several of these. Definitely Windows Live OneCare's scan, as it will also clean your registry and system.

Make sure your copy of windows is fully updated.

Check out my response to this post: "Computer Performance-- SLOW!" http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread103189.html

Especially the part about startup programs!

As those steps I described in my first post will also likely help you.

Post back if you have questions or the problem continues!

Good luck,

--The Comodore

Member Avatar for adriansims

Symantec indicates the system is FREE of virus's, and yes the system boots ups , and I can log in running in safe mode without problems

Cheers

Member Avatar for caperjack

Symantec indicates the system is FREE of virus's, and yes the system boots ups , and I can log in running in safe mode without problems

Cheers

so symantics doesn't find all viruses and Trojans and spyware ,so run a few of the programs in the post above

Member Avatar for Comodore

symantec is well known to slow down computers- particularly at the start of windows. Try removing it as I suggested (temporarily if you want). If the problem goes away, you eliminated the culprit!

And check out that other thread. Different problem, same advice!

Good luck, post back with results!

--The Comodore

Member Avatar for adriansims

Whilst the problem looking to be virus related, it turned out that there was a badly formatted DVD in one of the drives. I could not see any process activity, removing the disc solved the problem

I guess the moral is always to check the simple stuff before diving in

Thanks for the help

Member Avatar for caperjack

Whilst the problem looking to be virus related, it turned out that there was a badly formatted DVD in one of the drives. I could not see any process activity, removing the disc solved the problem

I guess the moral is always to check the simple stuff before diving in

Thanks for the help

WoW! must re-remember that one ,I've seen laptop and desktop computers that would not boot because of that problem !!

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