Windows XP ...massive delay in opening applications
A user I'm helping has a Windows XP Pro with SP3 installed. We're seeing huge delays in opening applications. The other day, I actually timed it with my stop watch and it took almost 8 minutes to open Outlook 2007 and IE 8. This was right after a clean reboot with no other applications running and nothing starting up w/the computer except critical items to the operating system.Here are some specs on the computer in question:Dell OptiplexIntel P4 3.2GHz2GB of RAM256mb Video MemoryI have several other computers with the same specs and they all work with no problems. The only problem I can see with this crazy computer is hardware based. I've ran anti-virus, spyware/malware checking - found nothing. Defraged the drive (which has 90% free space), ran Process Explorer from Sysinternals (MS) and can't find anything clogging up the CPU or being a memory hog. Ran in Safe Mode and did a nice clean up of temp junk. What could cause a computer to do this - just come a screeching halt and take 8-10 minutes to simply open Outlook 2007 or even IE (even Firefox for that matter). I can only think of bad hardware (who knows which one). Any thoughts? Thank you in advance.2 people got this answerI do too
January 18th, 2010 6:49am

Hello steve02aa I have known this behaviour to be caused by a hard drive on its way out.Back up all important files and then check the hard drive.You can use the Dell DiagnosticsORRun a manufacturerds diagnostics http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 If you don't know the make of hard drive Hitachi Drive Fitness Test will work with any make. The Hitachi 3<sup>rd</sup> download is for a bootable CD These files need to be burned as an ISO file using a program like Imgburn http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download OR try runningchkdsk /rI would advise the Dell Diagnostics.
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January 18th, 2010 2:38pm

Cybertek - thanks for the info.I did, in fact, run chkdsk /r and it found problems on the drive and repaired them. After the repair and a nice reboot, the computer's performance is much better and no more delay.Thanks for the info.
February 3rd, 2010 3:58am

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