XP boot and program launch problem

[kushiro]

Hi. I'm running Windows XP Home and have recently run into problems with boot-up and program launching. Basically, Windows takes for ever to boot up (the BIOS screen appears in the process), then when it does finish, each individual command or program launch will also take far too long. However, once the program or command has been executed one time the computer runs fast and completely normally with that program, even if you close it and open it again. In other words, if I keep my PC permanently on it works fine with any command that has previously been done. But if I switch off, attempt to open a new program or large image file, it runs very slowly. Is there any solution other than the big headache of re-formatting and spending hours reconfiguring everything again? P.S. I did a defrag, which took more than 24hrs. Windows then went into ChkDsk mode, which took 3 days!...and things are still the same as before. Thanks.

[patio]

Open Device Manager...
Right clik primary and secondary IDE controllers and select Properties...
Is either one of them in PIO mode ? ?

If so change it to DMA or UDMA if available and re-boot.
This is caused by 3 or more consecutive read/write failures.

If in fact this is the case DLoad and run the Free diagnostics from the HDD manuf. site.
A new HDD may be in order...

[kushiro]

Many thanks. I checked and they are both is 'DMA if available' mode. Still worth trying the free diagnostics?

[patio]

I would...you never know.
At least PIO is not the issue...run the test then we can narrow it down further.