Start up issues

Hey, i have a M30X and when i start the computer it takes FOREVER for it to become fully functional. I will be more specific;
When it starts up everything loads fine, all but 3 of my tray icons show up. My hard drive stops making noise and the HD light turns off...its seems like the computer is ready to be used, but when i move my mouse to the start bar it turns into the thinking hourglass and i cannot do anything in it. The start menu wont open, the tray icons wont open or anything. When i open an application it doesnt show up in my start bar and becomes non-responsive. I have to wait for about 3 or 4 minutes, then my hard drive starts working again and my last 3 tray icons load. THIS IS THE MOST ANNOYING PROBLEM!! I have all unnecessary programs and services shut off at start up. Please, someone help me.

~Zinger~

 

do u have any applications set to run at startup (like a virus scan or something)? conversely, have you checked for viruses?

 

Has your laptop always been like this or is this more recent? Perhaps after you installed some software or maybe you picked up some spyware along the way. Hit Start and then Run. Type in msconfig. The last tab is the startup tab. It is a list of all programs that start when you start Windows. I would clear all the one you don't need and then start clearing the other ones and rebooting until you find the one causing the problem. Good Luck.





I know things, things that could get me killed


Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *

 

I have everything cleared out that i dont want to run at start up...all services and programs that arent necessary wont run at start up. The only things i have running at start up are:
1. My touchpad software
2. My power management software
3. My EZ button software (controls the media buttons on my keyboard)
4. ATI graphics card software
5. Zone Alarm Firewall
6. AVG antivirus

1 through 4 load right away at start up, but then its like my computer takes a nap. I have no spyware and no virus. I have taken care of this thing very well. I am really confused.

~Zinger~

 

I ran antivirus and confirmed that i have no virus, i also ran spyware prgrams and have no ad-ware. Any ideas?

~Zinger~

 

When did this start occuring? I have a fix that might work, but not sure why it would suddenly do this.

 

I just noticed it happening recently, in the past few days. My start up has never been lightening fast, but it had never done this before. I would love to hear any ideas on how to fix this, thanks!

~Zinger~

 

None of the software are essential for you computer to work. I would try turning them off one at a time to see if you can find the offender.






I know things, things that could get me killed


Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *

 

The problem might not be related to viruses or spyware. You may have some software causing the problem. As recommended, disable all startup items (one at a time) and see if this helps. If not, you may want to go to the extreme of reloading the OS from scratch (manually, not from restore CD's) and see if it helps. This should fix the problem, but if not, then it's a hardware problem (process of elimination).

-Vb-