XP-Home: Delay when accessing "Programs" menu

  • Thread starter Thread starter JS
  • Start date Start date
J

JS

Hi all,

Recently I experience a few seconds delay when opening "Start"
"Programs" before the programs listed in the Programs menu appear.

This usually occurs for the first few times the menu is used during the
day and then clears up for a time.

Could I have, inadvertently perhaps, disabled caching of this menu
somewhere?

XP Home SP1, Intel 2.6 ghz, on Intel MB

TIA

Simon
 
On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 10:03:09 -0500, Treeman had said ...
Simon,
Best practices dictate dumping your IE temp files, clear cookies,
history, ect. within IE, then run disk clean-up, and defrag hard
drive.
I don't think the Start/Programs are cached as in temp files.
Best,
Treeman
Click to expand...

Thanks for the hint. I rarely use IE so temps files/cookies/history were
minimal. Disk Clean-up did clear some junk. Time will tell if this
helped or hindered.

At the moment the menu appears instantly and was before the clean-up.
After the next re-boot we will see if the behaviour has changed.

Simon.
 
Change the Speed of the Start Menu

Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK

Navigate to >>>
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop \
Value Name: MenuShowDelay
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value Data: 400
(0 is the fastest, 400 is default. These are all in milliseconds).

Log off, or restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

Or use TweakUI...

TweakUI
[+] Mouse

[[The Menu Speed slider control sets the speed at which cascading menus
automatically open when you move the mouse over them. The fastest setting
causes them to open immediately and the slowest setting is extraordinary
slow.]]
----

Download TweakUI here >>>

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Tweak UI
TweakUI.exe
===

Tweak UI for Windows XP Guide
http://www.winxpsolution.com/Tweakuixppro.aspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Bulshevik!

[[Posting Rules
You may not post replies]]
http://www.msusenet.com/t-1870924981


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Wesley Vogel said:
Change the Speed of the Start Menu

Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK

Navigate to >>>
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop \
Value Name: MenuShowDelay
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value Data: 400
(0 is the fastest, 400 is default. These are all in milliseconds).

Log off, or restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

Or use TweakUI...

TweakUI
[+] Mouse

[[The Menu Speed slider control sets the speed at which cascading menus
automatically open when you move the mouse over them. The fastest setting
causes them to open immediately and the slowest setting is extraordinary
slow.]]
----

Download TweakUI here >>>

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Tweak UI
TweakUI.exe
===

Tweak UI for Windows XP Guide
http://www.winxpsolution.com/Tweakuixppro.aspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
JS said:
On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 10:03:09 -0500, Treeman had said ...


Thanks for the hint. I rarely use IE so temps files/cookies/history were
minimal. Disk Clean-up did clear some junk. Time will tell if this
helped or hindered.

At the moment the menu appears instantly and was before the clean-up.
After the next re-boot we will see if the behaviour has changed.

Simon.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Recently I experience a few seconds delay when opening "Start"
"Programs" before the programs listed in the Programs menu appear.

This usually occurs for the first few times the menu is used during the
day and then clears up for a time.

Could I have, inadvertently perhaps, disabled caching of this menu
somewhere?

XP Home SP1, Intel 2.6 ghz, on Intel MB
Click to expand...

Try temporarily disabling your anti-virus for testing purposes.

A while back I had a machine on which I could consistently make the Start
menu navigation process faster by disabling Norton Anti-Virus. With it
enabled, menus would take 5-8 seconds to show. It wasn't a matter of
caching either, as I was going back and forth repeating the test with NAV
enabled/disabled.
 
On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 17:07:06 -0600, Wesley Vogel had said ...

Nope!. This one did not solve the the problem. I set it to 100 as a
experiment and rebooted (several times).

I also used the tweakUI Mouse item but this is, of course, for a
different feature.

I should mention that with my problem, the Start|Programs menu appears
as a grey box (Using Classic Start Menu) quickly enough but it takes
quite a few seconds to _populate it_. After several sequential uses, it
populates instantly leading me to suspect caching or something
similar.....

The suggestion to disable the AV was tried as well. I am using Avast AV
and temporarily stopping on access protection did not seem to help
either but then again, this is only the read of file folder and not the
accessing of an executable so I don't know whether or not I disabled the
correct function. I will look at this one further but the delay is only
a recent happening and I have been using Avast for a long time now. Of
course, the Avast program has been auto-updated recently and could be
the root cause.

Thanks for the replies

BTW, Wesley, I did not understand your 2nd post. Finger trouble maybe??
LOL

Simon
 
Simon,

Delete IconCache.db. You may have to reboot.

IconCache.db. A hidden file located in...

%homepath%\Local Settings\Application Data

After deleting IconCache.db, it will be automatically recreated.

HOW TO: Search For Hidden Or System Files In Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302347

To display Hidden files and folders...

Start | Settings | Control Panel | Folder Options | View tab
Check:
Display the contents of system folders
Show hidden files and folders
UNCheck:
Hide protected operating system files
Apply | OK

[[Hidden files and folders will appear dimmed to indicate they are not
typical items.]]
-----

No my fingers did not slip.

Have a look here...
http://www.msusenet.com/t-1870924981

It says I am a Guest.

It also says clear at the bottom.

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

I was just stating my displeasure at being a Guest at some forum or
messageboard that steals posts from newsgroups on the USENET that I had no
intention being involved with in any way.

I made that post to prove that their rules were incorrect, I can post
replies there. :-D I do that every once in while just because it P#%%!s me
off.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Simon said:
On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 17:07:06 -0600, Wesley Vogel had said ...

Nope!. This one did not solve the the problem. I set it to 100 as a
experiment and rebooted (several times).

I also used the tweakUI Mouse item but this is, of course, for a
different feature.

I should mention that with my problem, the Start|Programs menu appears
as a grey box (Using Classic Start Menu) quickly enough but it takes
quite a few seconds to _populate it_. After several sequential uses, it
populates instantly leading me to suspect caching or something
similar.....

The suggestion to disable the AV was tried as well. I am using Avast AV
and temporarily stopping on access protection did not seem to help
either but then again, this is only the read of file folder and not the
accessing of an executable so I don't know whether or not I disabled the
correct function. I will look at this one further but the delay is only
a recent happening and I have been using Avast for a long time now. Of
course, the Avast program has been auto-updated recently and could be
the root cause.

Thanks for the replies

BTW, Wesley, I did not understand your 2nd post. Finger trouble maybe??
LOL

Simon
Change the Speed of the Start Menu

Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK

Navigate to >>>
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop \
Value Name: MenuShowDelay
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value Data: 400
(0 is the fastest, 400 is default. These are all in milliseconds).

Log off, or restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

Or use TweakUI...

TweakUI
[+] Mouse

[[The Menu Speed slider control sets the speed at which cascading menus
automatically open when you move the mouse over them. The fastest setting
causes them to open immediately and the slowest setting is extraordinary
slow.]]
----

Download TweakUI here >>>

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Tweak UI
TweakUI.exe
===

Tweak UI for Windows XP Guide
http://www.winxpsolution.com/Tweakuixppro.aspx
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Iconcache is written on shutdown (most times) and read on startup. This may not help as if it's corrupted in memory (either because it read a corrupted one on prev startup or whatever) as it will recreate a corrupted iconcache. Much better to change Iconsize in windows to force the System Image List to rebuild from scratch. Sometimes you need to delete this file as well as it's not written if the System Image List is full in memory on shutdown (so it will start with a corrupted imagelist on next boot). Programs can and do play around with the contents of the System Image List. Iconcache is a file of the SIL and is where it is stored when the computer is off. When on it has no purpose.

--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://webdiary.smh.com.au/archives/_comment/001075.html
=================================================
Wesley Vogel said:
Simon,

Delete IconCache.db. You may have to reboot.

IconCache.db. A hidden file located in...

%homepath%\Local Settings\Application Data

After deleting IconCache.db, it will be automatically recreated.

HOW TO: Search For Hidden Or System Files In Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302347

To display Hidden files and folders...

Start | Settings | Control Panel | Folder Options | View tab
Check:
Display the contents of system folders
Show hidden files and folders
UNCheck:
Hide protected operating system files
Apply | OK

[[Hidden files and folders will appear dimmed to indicate they are not
typical items.]]
-----

No my fingers did not slip.

Have a look here...
http://www.msusenet.com/t-1870924981

It says I am a Guest.

It also says clear at the bottom.

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

I was just stating my displeasure at being a Guest at some forum or
messageboard that steals posts from newsgroups on the USENET that I had no
intention being involved with in any way.

I made that post to prove that their rules were incorrect, I can post
replies there. :-D I do that every once in while just because it P#%%!s me
off.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Simon said:
On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 17:07:06 -0600, Wesley Vogel had said ...

Nope!. This one did not solve the the problem. I set it to 100 as a
experiment and rebooted (several times).

I also used the tweakUI Mouse item but this is, of course, for a
different feature.

I should mention that with my problem, the Start|Programs menu appears
as a grey box (Using Classic Start Menu) quickly enough but it takes
quite a few seconds to _populate it_. After several sequential uses, it
populates instantly leading me to suspect caching or something
similar.....

The suggestion to disable the AV was tried as well. I am using Avast AV
and temporarily stopping on access protection did not seem to help
either but then again, this is only the read of file folder and not the
accessing of an executable so I don't know whether or not I disabled the
correct function. I will look at this one further but the delay is only
a recent happening and I have been using Avast for a long time now. Of
course, the Avast program has been auto-updated recently and could be
the root cause.

Thanks for the replies

BTW, Wesley, I did not understand your 2nd post. Finger trouble maybe??
LOL

Simon
Change the Speed of the Start Menu

Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK

Navigate to >>>
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop \
Value Name: MenuShowDelay
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value Data: 400
(0 is the fastest, 400 is default. These are all in milliseconds).

Log off, or restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

Or use TweakUI...

TweakUI
[+] Mouse

[[The Menu Speed slider control sets the speed at which cascading menus
automatically open when you move the mouse over them. The fastest setting
causes them to open immediately and the slowest setting is extraordinary
slow.]]
----

Download TweakUI here >>>

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Tweak UI
TweakUI.exe
===

Tweak UI for Windows XP Guide
http://www.winxpsolution.com/Tweakuixppro.aspx
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
On Tue, 26 Jul 2005 08:43:08 +1000, Wesley had said ...

Simon,

Delete IconCache.db. You may have to reboot.

IconCache.db. A hidden file located in...

%homepath%\Local Settings\Application Data

After deleting IconCache.db, it will be automatically recreated.


David had said:
Iconcache is written on shutdown (most times) and read on startup.
This may not help as if it's corrupted in memory (either because it
read a corrupted one on prev startup or whatever) as it will
recreate a corrupted iconcache. Much better to change Iconsize
in windows to force the System Image List to rebuild from scratch.
Sometimes you need to delete this file as well as it's not written if
the System Image List is full in memory on shutdown (so it will start with
a corrupted imagelist on next boot). Programs can and do play around
with the contents of the System Image List. Iconcache is a file
of the SIL and is where it is stored when the computer is off.
When on it has no purpose.
Click to expand...


Thanks Wesley for the explanation!! I did look at the link and was
surprised to see this thread there as well.

I deleted Iconcache.db with no apparent effect. It was approx 6kb. The
file does not appear to have been rebuilt again, so far, after 3 warm
re-boots. Will check again after a full shutdown.

I note once again that after selecting Start|Programs 4 times or so,any
delays disappear and the menu populates instantly.

Thanks David for that explanation. I will look into what this all means
and try it.


Simon
 
Simon,

I deleted %homepath%\Local Settings\Application Data\IconCache.db yesterday
to see how many reboots it took to rebuild. I never paid any attention to
how many reboots it took before. I lost count, 3 or 4.

My IconCache.db is 5.14 MB.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
[[Much better to change Iconsize in windows to force the System Image List
to rebuild from scratch.]]

Shell Small or Shell Large icons are used in the Start Menu.

Apparently, the Shell Small icon defaults to the System Small size.

Do you mean change the size of Shell Large?

In
Display Properties | Appearance tab | Advanced button | Icon | Size:
or
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\desktop\WindowMetrics\Shell Icon Size

And/or change the size of the System Small icon in...
Display Properties | Appearance tab | Advanced button | Caption Buttons

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
David Candy said:
Iconcache is written on shutdown (most times) and read on startup. This
may not help as if it's corrupted in memory (either because it read a
corrupted one on prev startup or whatever) as it will recreate a
corrupted iconcache. Much better to change Iconsize in windows to force
the System Image List to rebuild from scratch. Sometimes you need to
delete this file as well as it's not written if the System Image List is
full in memory on shutdown (so it will start with a corrupted imagelist
on next boot). Programs can and do play around with the contents of the
System Image List. Iconcache is a file of the SIL and is where it is
stored when the computer is off. When on it has no purpose.

--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------
http://webdiary.smh.com.au/archives/_comment/001075.html
=================================================
Wesley Vogel said:
Simon,

Delete IconCache.db. You may have to reboot.

IconCache.db. A hidden file located in...

%homepath%\Local Settings\Application Data

After deleting IconCache.db, it will be automatically recreated.

HOW TO: Search For Hidden Or System Files In Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302347

To display Hidden files and folders...

Start | Settings | Control Panel | Folder Options | View tab
Check:
Display the contents of system folders
Show hidden files and folders
UNCheck:
Hide protected operating system files
Apply | OK

[[Hidden files and folders will appear dimmed to indicate they are not
typical items.]]
-----

No my fingers did not slip.

Have a look here...
http://www.msusenet.com/t-1870924981

It says I am a Guest.

It also says clear at the bottom.

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

I was just stating my displeasure at being a Guest at some forum or
messageboard that steals posts from newsgroups on the USENET that I had
no intention being involved with in any way.

I made that post to prove that their rules were incorrect, I can post
replies there. :-D I do that every once in while just because it
P#%%!s me off.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Simon said:
On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 17:07:06 -0600, Wesley Vogel had said ...

Nope!. This one did not solve the the problem. I set it to 100 as a
experiment and rebooted (several times).

I also used the tweakUI Mouse item but this is, of course, for a
different feature.

I should mention that with my problem, the Start|Programs menu appears
as a grey box (Using Classic Start Menu) quickly enough but it takes
quite a few seconds to _populate it_. After several sequential uses, it
populates instantly leading me to suspect caching or something
similar.....

The suggestion to disable the AV was tried as well. I am using Avast AV
and temporarily stopping on access protection did not seem to help
either but then again, this is only the read of file folder and not the
accessing of an executable so I don't know whether or not I disabled the
correct function. I will look at this one further but the delay is only
a recent happening and I have been using Avast for a long time now. Of
course, the Avast program has been auto-updated recently and could be
the root cause.

Thanks for the replies

BTW, Wesley, I did not understand your 2nd post. Finger trouble maybe??
LOL

Simon

Change the Speed of the Start Menu

Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK

Navigate to >>>
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop \
Value Name: MenuShowDelay
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value Data: 400
(0 is the fastest, 400 is default. These are all in milliseconds).

Log off, or restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

Or use TweakUI...

TweakUI
[+] Mouse

[[The Menu Speed slider control sets the speed at which cascading menus
automatically open when you move the mouse over them. The fastest
setting causes them to open immediately and the slowest setting is
extraordinary slow.]]
----

Download TweakUI here >>>

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Tweak UI
TweakUI.exe
===

Tweak UI for Windows XP Guide
http://www.winxpsolution.com/Tweakuixppro.aspx
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
On Tue, 26 Jul 2005 15:29:01 -0600, Wesley Vogel had said ...

Hi all,

Iconcache.db has not yet been rebuilt here. I usually shutdown only once
per day (ie overnight) so that makes two full boot-ups since deleting
it.

I still get the delay in populating the Programs menu!! OH Well!!
something I will have to live with until I take the time to rebuild my
system I guess.

Simon
 
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