Hi danu 3422--
I don't think that msconfig which is a long time Windows utility itself is
causing this freeze. While it is true that you can stop some apps you don't
want to start by unchecking them from the MSCONFIG start tab, this reflex
that some people are quick to mention doesn't work for a number of programs
because some programs can have as many as a literal dozen points of origin
(as outlined well by Ed Bott in XP or Vista Inside Out's chapters on
startup.
I would love to see a picture of this icon, and it's message if you want to
capture it using MSPAINT, but I strongly suspect spyware and I'd run Adaware
and Windows Defender to try to remove it.
I said it at the end and I'll say it now: Using a good defragger is one of
the best bangs for your bucks you can have. I have a lot of respect for
what the members of the team that control defrag in Vista have done, and
what Jill Zoeller has helped to explain they have done on her blog. I MSFT
was trying to provide a better solution than the XP defrag with more
features for Vista users that would ship with Vista and they have done that.
I tested the Vista defrag for a couple months, than compared Perfect Disc by
Raxco to it, and I honestly think that Perfect Disk cleans the Vista
Defrag's clock and has significantly more impact on speeding Vista. I didn't
change the files significantly in comparing the two on any drive nor the
free space and did this on the same box. One significant difference is that
Perfect Disk requires 5% of free space. The article below from MSFT says
that
"Are there any other improvements over Windows XP?
Unlike Windows XP, Windows Vista does not require 15% free space (unless you
use the –w parameter from the command line). If there is any free space at
all, Defrag will make an attempt to defragment the volume."
In other words, with little free space it will do what it can. This article
explains Vista defrag. I'd use Perfect Disk and consider it a very
worthwhile investment, but do be sure to make defragging a frequent habit.
It's a couple mouse clicks and very necessary to do to contribute to a
faster pc. This is a crude analogy, but it's like organizing closets, files
or rooms in your home to a degree.
Don’t judge a book by its cover – why Windows Vista Defrag is cool
http://blogs.technet.com/filecab/ar...s-cover-why-windows-vista-defrag-is-cool.aspx
Perfect Disk
www.raxco.com
Below is a general outline for cleaning and speeding your PC:
******Speed PC and Control CPU Tips/Steps******
SPEED AND CPU:
_______________
1) Trim processes you don't need in TM. Google them or "search engine of
your choice them" if you have to.
2) Go to
services.msc in run box and turn off services not needed and there are some.
SERVICE CONFIGURATION REFERENCES*
*Vista Services*
Part One
http://www.tweakvista.com/article38662.aspx
Part Two
http://www.tweakvista.com/article38664.aspx
Windows Vista Services Tweak Guide v1.0
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=87443
3) Run System File Checker.
SFC:
http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html
In Vista run it from an elevated command prompt. Right click command on
start and run as administrator.
4) Run 3 or so spyware scans Windows Defender, , Adaware, and Spybot
5) Probably the most important for speed consistently and efficient resource
use DEFRAG with
www.raxco.com or
www.diskeeeper.com with 15% free space on
drive if DK and or >5% if Raxco's Perfect Disk.
http://groups.msn.com/windowsxpcentral/spyware.msnw
Download Adaware and
Spybot from here.
GOOD Overall Review for Defending Your PC:
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/
MSFT Defense Site MSFT Security:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.mspx
Protect Your PC from MSFT Security:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx
MSFT Windows Defender
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
MSFT MSRT: (Malicious Software Removal Tool)
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
MSFT "Windows One Care" in Wings (AV and Spyware Scans)
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/may05/05-13WindowsOneCarePR.mspx
6) Unck items from msconfig start tab you don't need starting and some
won't start--peoiple who think just uncking for many are naive because there
are 12 places things can be started including several reg keys like Run Once
keys and there are serveral.
7) Turn off Messaging service--it's a security vulnerability and it slows
you
8) Defrag very often every other day actually.
9) Turn off indexing.
10) Clear TIF and %temp% files (delete) and go to safe mode to get as many
as u can.
10) Do troubleshooting with msconfig.
11) Do Clean boot with msconfig utility and search for the directions here:
Vista RTM Tweak Guide (Tweaks to Improve Performances)
http://www.google.com/search?source...,GGLJ:2006-47,GGLJ:en&q=vista+rtm+tweak+guide
1) Task Manager lists the services on the services tab in Vista.
2) Type services.msc in run box and using the list of services, click the
service and you'll get a description of services.
3) There is a list here of the default services and a description>>click
"default settings for services" in the left pane.
http://technet2.microsoft.com/Windo...afb8-43ce-b39d-50e6d5b89bf81033.mspx?mfr=true
4) To view service dependencies
1.
Open Services.
2.
In the details pane, right-click the service that you want to view
dependencies for, and then click Properties.
3.
Click the Dependencies tab.
4.
To view services that are associated dependencies of the selected service,
in the list on the Dependencies tab, click the plus sign next to the
service.
Many of the services but not all in Vista are the same as in XP, so in that
context:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/services.htm
Also see the extremely helpful site:
Black Viper's Service List
http://www.dead-eye.net/WinXP Services.htm
Black Viper's Site (Many of the same services in Vista)
http://www.dead-eye.net/WinXP Services.htm
http://www.z123.org/techsupport/xpservices.htm
http://www.geocities.com/ziyadhosein/xpserv1.htm
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php
This will be helpful
http://web.archive.org/web/20041128084144/www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
______________________________________________________________________________________________
How to troubleshoot by using the System Configuration utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560/
Resources for troubleshooting startup problems in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308041/
How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434
How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/
How to Disable a Service or Device that Prevents Windows from Starting
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310602/
Also ck out these references:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,5155,00.asp
http://www.speedupyourcomputer.windowsreinstall.com/index.htm
and
http://www.extremetech.com/search_r...=how+to+speed+windows+xp&filterapp=&site=4P.S.
Defragging with a decent defrag every day will make a huge dent inefficient
resource/CPU use.
Perfect Disk has a 5 month full functionality trial on now for Windows
Vista.
Good luck,
CH
