Slow startup on XP

I've run everything in READ ME FIRST to make sure these stations don't have malware slowing them down. What I've got are some Dell PCs purchased in 2004/2005 that have increasing, over time, started running slower, especially taking a very long time to get through startup, as much as 5 mins in some cases. At one time, they ran just fine, but they get slower and slower as time goes on.

I was hoping you might have a sort of general checklist of suggestions to improve startup, but I didn't see it on the site. I can tell you I've already removed any programs that might be undesireable or resource hogs; I've used CCleaner to get rid of junk; I've done defrag; I've checked Startup, but I don't see anything obvious, although I have to say that I'm no expert on what might or might not be a problem. Perhaps you have advice, other than what I've already tried, and/or a list of things that you know are safe to remove from Startup or Services that may be bogging me down.

Any help is appreciated.

 

These are just suggestions but should be run in this order:

1. Run this relativly new online scanner from Microsoft. It has some extra and new cleaning functions that will speed up your system. Windows Live OneCare safety scanner.
2. Visit Microsoft Update.
3. Run a sfc /scannow. Microsoft article: Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker
4. Run a chkdsk. Microsoft article: How to perform disk error checking in Windows XP.
(5. Run your build in Microsoft disk defragmenter. Click the Windows Start button -> point to Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> click Disk Defragmenter. ) You did that already.
6. Download Secunia PSI RC3 and run it. Update everything else according to it's suggestions.
7. Visit the homepage of your PC manufacturer - Dell - and update all your drivers.

 

StartUpLite 1.07 is an other possibility. Download link here.