Programs not loading on start up

Good Afternoon people, hope someone out there can help me...... now, where shall I start

Ok, i'm running a HP PAvilion 472.uk with 768 RAM, 2gz pentium 4, with windows XP home edition, including SP2.

My problem is this, until recently, all seemed to be running ok, i'd have a few intermitent problems, but nearly always sorted out by a quick post in these forums. However, I am now having real difficulties, and i hope I describe it accurately (i'm still only a novice). When starting up the pc, it appears that start up programs are not loading fully, and also when i first try to run any microsoft program, I will (quite quickly) get a 'not responding' issue. Equally, at times, when closing down the pc, the system will freeze at the 'saving your settings' screen. When I try to launch task manager, I have to wait a considerable time for it to load, by which time, whatever is causing the problem, has sorted itself out (if that's the right description).

I'm running microsoft anti spyware and grisoft AV at all times, both of which are up to date. I've also run a2, ad-aware and the symantec on line scanner, none of which have found anything, along with CWShredder. I've had assistance with a hijack this log, and removed anything that is definitely not required. I've purchased and run pcpitstop optimise, which 'fixed' many problems, but i've seen no improvement. Finally, i've tried to run Microsoft regclean - however, this only gets about half way, before appearing to stop (even leaving it to run for 8 hours), when launching the task manager, under processes, it will tell me that regclean is using approx 98% of cpu.

I'd originally thought it was my previous anti virus AVGuard as it frequently wouldn't load automatically, so i swapped to Grisoft AV, but that hasn't helped.

I've had some help in disabling stuff in an effort to reduce CPU usage so regclean will run, to no avail, and in total honesty, now don't have a clue what is set to run and what isn't. All I know is i'm still having problems.

Is there anyone out there that can understand what I'm trying to say and help me? PLEASE????

Many thanks in anticipation.

 

Oops, sorry forgot to add, i've also reinstalled SP2 in case there was any corruption, again, no improvement.

 

May I suggest that you read through thread http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=72076

This may give you some options, while you are waiting for more expert advice (than I can provide), from other MG 'ers. In particular, load and run Process Explorer and Everest for expanded info on what your PC is doing at any time. Report back. Bazza

 

What programs dont load at startup?What microsoft programs dont respond?Is start>run>msconfig showing normal startup?

 

Thanks for the responses, i've run process explorer, but it's all a bit technical for me, i've saved a screenshot, but don't know how to attach it. I've not found everest yet, but am still looking while i do this bit.

As far as what is not loading, i'm working on the basis of the missing icons from my sys tray, and I run winpatrol, which isn't showing, and the nvidea icon isn't showing either, neither is volume control. i've re-started this evening 4 times, to at least get my anti virus and anti spyware loaded.

The normal programs I first go to when starting up are nearly always OE and IE, and both give me problems, ordinarily, waiting for them to load for approx 15-20 mins before they run, if they do.

I apologise if i'm struggling to describe what is happening, but i'm not technically minded, I just know something is wrong. Personally, I won't 'fiddle' if I don't know what the outcome is, but I have had some assistance in trying to get to the root of the problem, which is why I may appear vague at times.

 

Ok, i've also run Everest, but what am I looking for? (i'll just put my blonde head on). I ran the report wizard, so have a report if required

 

forgot one other thing, msconfig is set for normal start up.

Whatever is the problem, often causes a problem when shutting down too, the pc will hang when on the 'saving your settings' screen, and i end up just having to turn it off at the button.

 

Something that haws crossed my mind, especially in the absence of any problems being highlighted by all the various scan's i've run, i've posted this in the software thread, but is there any likelihood of this actually being a hardware fault?

Thank again in anticipation.