After trying all the standard tricks, my XP installation is still very slow. What more can I do?

Question

My work computer still has XP on it, though I will be upgrading to Win7 in a few short months so I've got to make do in the meantime. I just started working at this job, so the computer was a hand-me-down, which wasn't maintained too well on the software side.

At this point, a clean format is not an option. Instead, I've run through all of the quick/easy tricks I know such as using PC Decrapifier, CCleaner, and Revo Uninstaller to get rid of older outdated software, crapware, and start-up apps. I have run through Black Viper's XP Service Configurator, following the "Tweaked" route he describes on there. Also, I have installed all the latest drivers for the hardware.

Despite all of this, my complete boot-up time is probably around 8 minutes. I can reach the XP login screen within 20 or 30 seconds, but loading XP fully takes the additional 7+ minutes.

Here are the computer specs:
- Dell Precision PWS490
- Intel Xeon 5130 @ 2.00GHz
- 3.25 GB RAM
- NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600

Answer 1

Once it is to the desktop is it still super slow to do anything?

One thing to check that will slow down everything on a PC if it has a Pata (IDE) hard drive.

Open device manager, expand IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers, then right click on the primary IDE channel ans select properties, then the Advanced Settings tab, in the "current transfer mode" box it should be udma mode 5, if it is less or PIO mode, this is the cause of the slowness.

To fix this close the properties window and right click on the primary IDE channel and select "uninstall", confirm and reboot the PC.

This does not apply if you have a Sata hard drive for the OS.

Answer 2

It sounds like the problem may be caused by your network login script (possibly difficulties or time outs connecting to network drives or printers).

Try creating a local account on your computer and logging in to that instead of to the domain (assuming you are on a domain).
If I remember XP correctly:

1. Right-click 'My Computer' and select 'Manage'
2. 'Users and groups' > 'New user'
3. Create a new user (and add to the Administrators group)

Then log in to computername (this computer) instead of your domain.

If necessary you can then create a batch file to connect you to any required network drives using the net use command.