I do not profess to be a technical bod at all but my neighbour calls on me to help with general problems when she does something like deleting a file in error or downloading something she didn't want.She is running a decent spec HP laptop which she has had for about 18 months. About 3 months ago, she had to have the hard drive replaced.Since then, she has had no problems until about 2 weeks ago when the initial load of the o.s. suddenly deteriorated. Instead of taking roughly half a minute to get into Windows, I timed it as follows:First Windows XP screen (with the 3 white blocks scudding across in the rectangle): 1 minute 5 secs;Blank screen: 35 seconds;"Windows is starting up": 2 seconds;Welcome screen 1 minute 20 secindsWindows opens and displays blank wallpaper: 53 seconds; andto display desktop icons: another 32 secondsI installed SP3 on Monday but that has made no difference. I have also made sure that the junk files have been deleted and done a proper defrag.Once everything has loaded, opening of files, web surfing, etc is fine.If anyone can tell me how to actually watch the load process step by step so that I can see where it is actually hanging up or can come up with any other suggestions, I would be most grateful (and, I am sure, so would my neighbour)1 person needs an answerI do too

Start by scanning thoroughly for malware. Don't skip the preparatory steps.http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_MalwareIf the computer proves 100% clean, then manage Startup:Start>Run>msconfig [enter]This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you'll get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in effect, "don't bother me about this again".Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes. Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter]and do not stop any services unless you really, really know what you're doing.How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspxClean boot in Windows XP -http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353Clean-boot advanced troubleshooting in Windows XP -http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!