Use Bootvis to discover which driver/service is blocking XP speed loading.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BootVis
WOW!!!
Did the Bootvis program and my start up is down to just under 3 minutes!!
I fully understand that it will always be dependent upon the system i am running, and because everything wants to start up at the same time, but this is a massive difference to the 8 or so minutes that i had before, plus if i ever dared to try to run a program whilst it was booting up before, :o well the PC really got upset with me!!
But now, well massive difference.
Many thanks!!
Sparks
You’re welcome. Feel free to come back any time you need help or just to change experiences 8)
Thanks for your input, mmm, i have found since the bootvis change that when i go to open other systems ‘my computer’ etc or other systems, it does seem to take longer the first time i go in.
After the first time if i go in again then it opens straight away, is this something i must just get used to?
Sparks.
BootVis is a diagnosis tool, not intended to speed up boot times… you can see which driver or service is slowing the boot, change your installated programs and so on. It’s not supported by Microsoft anymore. I have Vista and it does not work on Vista… so, can’t help further.
Thanks anyway, i will have a look at the start up options to see which is slowing things down.
Sparks
WOW!!!! Did the Bootvis program and my start up is down to just under 3 minutes!!
Sounds like a good program and I will try it.
Hi Sparks…
I would really have to stick with my earlier assessment as an overall solution to your problem. 224 MB’s of memory is simply insufficient with most of today’s software and it will only get worse in the future as 2, 3 and 4 GB’s (and more) of memory become standard. 
Best Regards…
I find that my old PIII crawls with 256MB RAM and has quite acceptable performance with 512MB RAM.
RAM is inexpensive and the best money you can spend even than buying roses for your girlfriend.
Better money than roses??? MMMM must think about that one.
OK decided about that, maybe roses for the wife to keep her happy, but more RAM for the PC to keep that happy!!!
If you could help with searching for more RAM and where to get it at a reasonable cost, it would be most helpful! ;D
Thanks again.
Now I certainly wouldn’t go that far!! 
Best Regards…
Hi Sparks…
Yes, definately get your wife roses, she is a Blessing and gift to you from the Lord!!
We’d be happy to help you get some additional memory but we need some information first. If your computer was manufactured by, say, Dell, HP Compaq, Gateway, eMachine, etc., can you give us the model name and number? As an example, my system is a HP Pavilion dv9830us. Or, if you can give us a serial number (or both,) that would work, too.
If this not the case and your system is a generic “whitebox,” can you give us the brand name and model number of the motherboard? If you don’t know, there is a program that might help you get that information…
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html
Just download and install. When that is accomplished just open up the program and go to “motherboard.” It might tell you there, if not and it tells you “unknown,” you can click on “memory” and see if it will give you the type of memory used. It’s possible this program will not give you any meaningful information in this way, if so, there are other utilty programs like this out there. Others on here may know of some additional ones that work just as good, or perhaps better.
Let us know what you find out…
Best Regards…
;D ;D ;D
Absolutely!!
She is a Blessing from the Lord, and she has encouraged me through my walk with Him also!!
Every day is a Gift, as is the greatest one that went to that old rugged cross!!!
I will try to find the information you asked for as soon as i can.
Best regards.
Sparks
I like http://www.crucial.com for their memory upgrades as it has a SCAN MY SYSTEM function that runs a diagnostic that will let you see what RAM is installed and the expansion possibilities.
I don’t know where you live so I can’t recommend a cheap place to buy the RAM.
You know it, brother!!!
Best Regards…
: :
Right here’s hoping that this is the info you required!
--------[ EVEREST Home Edition (c) 2003-2005 Lavalys, Inc. ]------------------------------------------------------------
Version EVEREST v2.20.405
Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/
Report Type Quick Report
Computer USER-6AP4TNUX6B
Generator Owner
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 (WinXP Retail)
Date 2008-09-08
Time 19:38
--------[ Motherboard ]-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motherboard Properties:
Motherboard ID 08/26/2005-760GX-M-6A7I7E19C-00
Motherboard Name ECS 760GX-M
Front Side Bus Properties:
Bus Type AMD Hammer
Real Clock 200 MHz
Effective Clock 200 MHz
HyperTransport Clock 800 MHz
Memory Bus Properties:
Bus Type DDR SDRAM
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 160 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 320 MHz
Bandwidth 2559 MB/s
Chipset Bus Properties:
Bus Type SiS MuTIOL
Bus Width 16-bit
Real Clock 67 MHz (ODR)
Effective Clock 533 MHz
Bandwidth 1067 MB/s
Motherboard Physical Info:
CPU Sockets/Slots 1 Socket 754
Expansion Slots 3 PCI, 1 AGP
RAM Slots 2 DDR DIMM
Integrated Devices Audio, Video, LAN
Form Factor Micro ATX
Motherboard Size 240 mm x 240 mm
Motherboard Chipset SiS760GX
Motherboard Manufacturer:
Company Name Elitegroup Computer Systems
Product Information http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWeb/Products/ProductList.aspx?CategoryID=1&MenuID=16&LanID=0
BIOS Download http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWeb/Downloads/Category_Download.aspx?Categoryid=1
I have also done the ‘memory’ report and posted that here also.
Hope this all helps.
Physical Memory:
Total 223 MB
Used 170 MB
Free 53 MB
Utilization 76 %
Swap Space:
Total 2768 MB
Used 357 MB
Free 2410 MB
Utilization 13 %
Virtual Memory:
Total 2991 MB
Used 527 MB
Free 2464 MB
Utilization 18 %
Physical Address Extension (PAE):
Supported by Operating System Yes
Supported by CPU Yes
Active Yes
Problems & Suggestions:
Suggestion Install more system memory to improve applications performance.
Many thanks for all your help, in spite of what the world would think, there are some good people out there, who are a real Blessing!!
Sparks.
Hi Sparks…
Ok, now we’re in business.
Here is your motherboard on the manufacturer’s web site…
According to the listing, the highest (and fastest) amount of memory you can obtain for this board is 2 GB’s of DDR 400 memory, which is what I would recommend if it can be squeezed in the budget. If not, no problem, you can go lower but I wouldn’t suggest any lower than 512 MB’s. Your computer can hold up to two “sticks” or modules.
I don’t know where you live but I included sites in the United States and the UK as an example of what to look for in case you live elsewhere or want to purchase from a different site…
http://www.directron.com/ddr400.html
http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=3178&Nav=|c:3176|&Sort=0&Recs=10
In case you want to install the memory yourself and are not sure how, here is a video tutorial…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWqiv8ag0s4
Hope this helps!
Best Regards…
Well things are hopefully looking good now.
I have just purchased 1GB of extra RAM.
So as soon as I have installed it, :o safely, I will let you know how it is going.
Very much appreciate your help ardvark, and all those who took time to read
and help with this problem!!
I have been very blessed.
Hi Sparks…
You’re very welcome!
May God Bless you!
Best Regards…
:o :
Well!!
The RAM came today all the way from the USA, me being in the UK, and I went to install it , and guess what, the PC would not start up !!!
ARGHHH!
So I took the old RAM out and tried the new one on its own, didn’t even get the windows logo up.
So tried the old and new together still nothing, but had a blue screen message come up about hardware changes, and to start in safe mode.
So here I am with my old RAM back in so I can get back to you guys for any idea’s.
Checked the old for info and it said DDR333 MHz PC2700U-25330.
The RAM I got has a sticker on it that says ‘1GB PC-3200’, which, wait a minute I ordered RAM to be PC2700 DDR400 1GB, have they sent the wrong one because this one does not want to know? :o
:-[ :-[Sorry to bother you gents again, but any ideas would be appreciated.
Many thanks.
Sparks.