Windows XS- Xtra Slow

[Omatic810]

My overzealous effort to exterminate all spybots on my computer has caused more harm than good...

I have Windows XP Pro, and it is running extremley slow. Not just kinda slow, but taking 8 minutes and 23 seconds to boot up, and before it would start up within seconds (windows, not the computer). When I get into Windows, my taskbar is permanently minimized, only a few of my programs will run, and whenever I try to install something, it says it can't be initalized. My Windows is in a complete deadlock.

It started when I tried to reinstall WinXP after deleting Winsock2 from the registry. When I deleted it (under the advice of Hijackthis), i was no longer able to access the internet, even though my computer would recognize a connection. I thought reinstalling was the easiest way to go, so I did it (did a "clean install").

When I started up the computer after the installation, it went horribly slow, and I STILL couldnt connect to the internet. I tried reinstalling my video drivers (ATI Radeon 9700 pro), but as stated above I can't insall anything.

I installed WinXP onto my storage HD, and am now getting limited functionality out of that (it's basically on backup power now). Is there any way I can salvage my C: drive and/or extract windows out of there so I can get a good, clean install onto there? Thanks!

[tefleming]

I'd say format and clean reinstall.

[profdlp]

Go to System Tools=> System Information=> Tools=> File Signature Verification Utility and run a scan. If you're lucky it will spot a borked file or two and fix things up.

[Straight_Man]

Good idea. IF a clean install did not help, might also try cleaning the CD or CD-RW lense with a lense cleaning CD on your limited function backup. Sounds like the thing is running IDE slow, very dirty drive lense, scratched CDs, could be the reason-- an unstable IDE device, from Window's point of view and the motherboard's point of view could cause VERY slow dragging performance, this is true of all windows.

Also, the one best order for drivers after a clean install is:

Chipset drivers, from mfr CD. (Restart Windows)
Video drivers, then restart.
Modem drivers if needed and you do not have a Network card connect to web, in which case substitute the network card or NIC chip drivers for modem drivers. LAN or modem drivers might be on mohterboard mfr's CD if your motherboard has that builtin and a network card or sperate modem is not in the box. Then restart.

One reason for chipset drivers first, is to get IDE drivers in place for your motherboard and base AGP support also running in some cases. THEN, video, then other things like Internet then the sound and etc. IF still no internet, call your internet service provider, have them help you get box's networking fine details set up. Make sure network or modem line is connected to computer first, before giving up.

I know, this is fairly basic, but when troubleshooting and clean installing a basics-first approach helps a lot.

John D.

[Kwitko]

Try LSP-Fix (http://cexx.org/lspfix.htm). It's a free program used to fix the Winsock 2 stack sometimes borked by the removal of [mal|spy|ad]ware.

[Omatic810]

I ran the Flie Sig Verification scan, and it found 3,391 files that aren't digitally signed. I'm assuming thats bad, but i dunno. Should I do anything about this?

[profdlp]

I ran the Flie Sig Verification scan, and it found 3,391 files that aren't digitally signed. I'm assuming thats bad, but i dunno. Should I do anything about this?
I'd try the fixes others have suggested first. If you can narrow down the handful of files (maybe only one) pertaining to the Winsock problem you could just replace those.

MS is picky about digital signatures. All it really means is that those files have not been submitted to MS for testing. That would apply to any number of things, including the latest video drivers, etc. If you can determine which files are part of Windows System Files and should be original MS versions then concentrate on those.

Another trick might be to delete all networking settings, adapters, clients, etc, then reinstall them. This might force Windows to replace the wanged-out or missing files with good ones.

[Jengo]

Try throwing your XP cd into your CD-Rom drive then i forgot if it has the setting on the pop up menu but if it does click on fix current installation (it should say something like that, repair current installation or something.. i cant remember. im tired and sleepy) anyways. if it doesnt appear in the pop up menu then just restart your Computer and boot from the CD it has that option there too. maybe that will help.

[Jengo]

i dont think i made any sense... oh well. im tired. i will tell you tommrow...

[Omatic810]

Problem solved!

I took the ez way out. I deleted the Windows folder on my C: drive, then reinstalled it. The only thing I have to do now is reinsall some programs and install the service packs and whatnot.

Anyway, thanks for the help everyone!