System slowed down considerably after installing the XP ( Pro )

I just had a tech. format my 80 Gb HDD & install Windows XP ( Pro ) on it. But now it takes too long to boot & the whole system & all the programs have slowed down considerably. It is P4, 2.6 GHz (HT), 512 MB DDR 400.

(1) The guy who installed it has also installed a program called " Crystal XP " which has changed the whole look of Win XP & I really don't like it.

On the site ( http://crystalxp.net/ ), it says the fact that icons are directly inserted in the system files of the OS that doesn't slow down your system!!

I looked up & path to it is C:\Windows\packs\crystal XP and

C:\Windows\packs\sysFiles.

It does have C:\Windows\packs\crystal XP\uninstall file.

Is this program causing the delay ? Is it possible to remove or uninstall it to get back the original Win XP look without causing any problems to data & system files ? If yes, how?

(2) Do I have to reinstall XP if I remove that program?

(3) When I asked him about the NEW OS called "Longhorn" & he suggested installing Longhorn Transformation Pack 7. Has Microsoft come out with a new OS called "Longhorn" or any other new OS for PC & if yes where can I read more about it? I have doughts if he knows what he is doing & yes I paid him to format & install XP ( Pro ).

(4) Could the delay in booting be due to start uo programs? In the ALL Programs -> Start Up folder there are 6 programs some of which I really don't need at the start up. How do I remove these programs from that folder without removing them from my PC ?

(5) There is one program called "PowerReg Scheduler" in start up folder. What is it & should I keep it or remove it?

Thank You.
Mike

 

Sounds like the OP has messed up a standard install. Longhorn is the codename for the new Microsoft OS that is supposed to replace XP, which for most will not be a change, due to Win2k, XP will still be used for a while.

Crystal PC can defientely be slowing things down. If you have not loaded any documents on your PC, I would do a Format, install WinXP Pro, update to SP2, and the Critical Updated, then install something like Avast AVG for Anti-Virus, and you can use Windows Firewall for Inbound protection.

Then things should be running fine.

 

1. if you uninstall it, it should revert to Windows default (Luna theme). If it doesn't open up your display properties and select the default theme.

2. No, you do not. It's a freeware program that allows you to change XP's appearance.

3. The new OS is called Vista now (it's in beta testing now), and they keep pushing the release date farther into the future and removed some of the improved features. The Longhorn Transformation Pack 7 just alters the physical appearance of XP. It is not any real improvement or replacement for XP.

4. The icons in the startup folder are usually shortcuts and they can be deleted without altering the actual program in any way. Right click on the icon and select Properties at the bottom of the context menu if you have any doubts.

5. These links carry some info on PowerReg Scheduler:
http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/scheduler/
This one has some removal instructions if it is not listed in Add/Remove Programs: http://labs.paretologic.com/spyware.aspx?remove=PowerReg Scheduler

You should not have to format and reinstall. That is always a last-ditch option.

 

It's just a theme which in my case required a reformat (test machine) so I'm not touching this crap ever again. As for Vista 5219, it runs like a charm though it won't be my main OS. Beta 2 may come out as early as December and should be available for free to the public through the Customer Preview Program (CPP). As the others said, get rid of the extras that your tech so thoughtfully installed. XP will run great on your PC.

 

Hi augiedoggie,

I am going to take your advice & uninstall that crap.

(1) Where can I download Vista 5219? Can you please give a link to it? I would love to see it on my test machine.

(2) What is the advantage of using XP (Professional) Vs XP (Home) ? Is there any other major difference in XP ( Home) & XP (Professinal) ?

Thank You.
Mike

 

In order to download Vista, you have to be a Microsoft Beta Tester. As for comparing Win XP, this link will help http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx