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Word & Excel taking 10 minutes to launch

E

Ed O'Brien

Flightless Bird
Office Small Business 2003 - Windows XP Home

My daughter has asked be to help with her Dell Inspiron laptop, which has
become incredibly slow.

The worst offfender - having cured some of the issues - is MS Word and
Excel. After double clicking a document it takes 9 minutes for Word to come
up and then a further minute for the document to appear. A notice also
shows across the document saying something like 'unable to register and
links from other documents to this document will not work.'

If I launch Word or Excel and open the file from there, all seems okay.

All other applications work fine.

I am at a loss now.

Can anyone help.

(I am posting in this newsgroup as well as office.msc in case it is an XP
issue)
 
S

Shenan Stanley

Flightless Bird
Ed O'Brien wrote:
> Office Small Business 2003 - Windows XP Home
>
> My daughter has asked be to help with her Dell Inspiron laptop,
> which has become incredibly slow.
>
> The worst offfender - having cured some of the issues - is MS Word
> and Excel. After double clicking a document it takes 9 minutes for
> Word to come up and then a further minute for the document to
> appear. A notice also shows across the document saying something
> like 'unable to register and links from other documents to this
> document will not work.'
> If I launch Word or Excel and open the file from there, all seems
> okay.
> All other applications work fine.
>
> I am at a loss now.
>
> Can anyone help.
>
> (I am posting in this newsgroup as well as office.msc in case it is
> an XP issue)


Please research how to cross-post instead of multi-post for the future. ;-)

Not knowing what you have done to 'cure some of the issues' - this is what I
suggest...

(General computer cleanup/application updating and hard drive
organization/checking)

Windows XP Home Edition means 32-Bit WIndows XP - thank you; But there might
be more information in a little more detail...

You can obtain and supply the edition and version information:

Start button --> RUN
(no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
--> type in:
winver
--> Click OK.

The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
(Operating System name and edition) while the line starting with the word
"version" will give you the rest of the story. Post _both_ in response
to this message verbatim. No paraphrasing - instead - ensure
character-for-character copying.

What version of Internet Explorer are you currently using? Easy to find
out. Open Internet Explorer and while that is in-focus, press and hold
the "ALT" key on your keyboard. With the "ALT" key still pressed, press
(just once, no holding) the "H" key. Now, with the "ALT" key still
pressed, press (just once, no holding) the "A" key. That will bring up
the "About Internet Explorer" window. It will give you the exact version
you are using - repeat what you see there in response to this message.

Having gotten that information - my general suggestions:

* Get rid of whatever AntiVirus solution you have (particularly if it is an
all-in-one type, unlesss it happens to be one of the two I am about to
suggest) and install either (just one or the other) of these:

- Avira AntiVir (free)
- eSet NOD32 (AntiVirus only) (cost)

* Get rid of whatever AntiMalware solution you have (unless it happens to be
the one I am about to suggest) and install and occassionally scan with (or
purchase and use to actively protect yourself with):

- MalwareBytes

* Get rid of any third-party firewall software and utilize the built-in
Windows XP firewall.

* Uninstall all unnecessary software, particularly any search/toolbars you
do not use, any applications that run all the time that you never utilize,
etc. If you have some 'weather' desktop stuff - learn to look outside. ;-)

* CHKDSK

* DEFRAGMENT


Want more details, more stuff to do in order to optimize performance?

Reboot so you start with a fresh machine. For everything here you will
need to logon as an user with administrative (installation) priviledges.

Fix your file/registry permissions...

Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under
"Advanced Troubleshooting" titled,
"Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
*will take time
** Ignore the last step (6) - you already should have SP3 - but not
going to do it now.

You will likely see errors pass by if you watching, even count up. No
worries *at this time*.

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Download/install the "Windows Installer CleanUp Utility":
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

After installing, do the following:

Start button --> RUN
(no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
--> type in:
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
--> Click OK.
(The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)

It will flash by *quick*, don't expect much out of this step to get
excited about.

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

This time (and this is one of the more time-consuming steps) you will be
running (one at a time with reboots in-between each) three different
anti-spyware/anti-malware applications to ensure you come up clean.

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
(freeware version):

SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
(freeware version):

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

You can un-install the first two if you want. I'd personally recommend
keeping MalwareBytes around.

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/details.aspx?familyid=5A58B56F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
.... and save it to the root of your C:/ drive. After saving it to the
root of the C:/ drive, do the following:

Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.

(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Visit this web page:

How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

.... and click on the "Microsoft Fix it" icon. When asked, select "RUN",
both times. Check the "I agree" box and click on "Next". Check the box
for "Run aggressive options (not recommended)" and click "Next". Let
it finish up and follow the prompts until it is done. Close/exit.


Reboot and logon as administrative user.

You should now perform a full CHKDSK on your system drive (C:)...

How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
* will take time and a reboot

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Time to clear up some space...

If you are comfortable with the stability of your system, you can delete the
uninstall files for the patches that Windows XP has installed...
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm
( Particularly of interest here - #4 )
( Alternative: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm )

You can run Disk Cleanup - built into Windows XP - to erase all but your
latest restore point and cleanup even more "loose files"..

How to use Disk Cleanup
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312

You can turn off hibernation if it is on and you don't use it..

When you hibernate your computer, Windows saves the contents of the system's
memory to the hiberfil.sys file. As a result, the size of the hiberfil.sys
file will always equal the amount of physical memory in your system. If you
don't use the hibernate feature and want to recapture the space that Windows
uses for the hiberfil.sys file, perform the following steps:

- Start the Control Panel Power Options applet (go to Start, Settings,
Control Panel, and click Power Options).
- Select the Hibernate tab, clear the "Enable hibernation" check box, then
click OK; although you might think otherwise, selecting Never under the
"System hibernates" option on the Power Schemes tab doesn't delete the
hiberfil.sys file.
- Windows will remove the "System hibernates" option from the Power Schemes
tab and delete the hiberfil.sys file.

You can control how much space your System Restore can use...

1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2. Click the System Restore tab.
3. Highlight one of your drives (or C: if you only have one) and click on
the "Settings" button.
4. Change the percentage of disk space you wish to allow.. I suggest moving
the slider until you have just about 1GB (1024MB or close to that...)
5. Click OK.. Then Click OK again.

You can control how much space your Temporary Internet Files can utilize...

Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to a
size between 64MB and 128MB..

- Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
- Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
- Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section, do the
following:
- Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
- Click on "Settings" and change the "Amount of disk space to use:" to
something between 64MB and 128MB. (It may be MUCH larger right
now.)
- Click OK.
- Click on "Delete Files" and select to "Delete all offline contents"
(the checkbox) and click OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10
minutes or more.)
- Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer, re-open Internet
Explorer.

You can use an application that scans your system for log files and
temporary files and use that to get rid of those:

Ccleaner (Free!)
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Other ways to free up space..

JDiskReport
http://www.jgoodies.com/freeware/jdiskreport/index.html

SequoiaView
http://www.win.tue.nl/sequoiaview/

Those can help you visually discover where all the space is being used.

In the end - a standard Windows XP installation with all sorts of extras
will not likely be above about 4.5GB to 9GB in size. If you have more space
than that (likely do on a modern machine) and most of it seems to be used -
likely you need to move *your stuff* off and/or find a better way to manage
it.

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

You should now perform a full Defragment on your system drive (C:)...

How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
* will take time

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ in Internet Explorer and
select to do a CUSTOM scan...

Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
release the CTRL key after clicking each time.

Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
(deselect any others) and install it.

Reboot again.

If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
time. Rebooting as needed.

The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones or
"Windows Live" ones for now. I would completely avoid the
Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to
install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
 
E

Ed O'Brien

Flightless Bird
Thank you, Shenan.

At first glance - if you could call it that - it would be quicker to do a
clean reinstall. The machine uses McAfee security centre.

I will study your recommendations and - eventually - get back to you.

Meanwhile - "Please research how to cross-post instead of multi-post for the
future. ;-)" -
the quickest way to start my research is to ask you: how do I cross-post?

Regards,

Ed


"Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:edchNOVjKHA.5020@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Ed O'Brien wrote:
>> Office Small Business 2003 - Windows XP Home
>>
>> My daughter has asked be to help with her Dell Inspiron laptop,
>> which has become incredibly slow.
>>
>> The worst offfender - having cured some of the issues - is MS Word
>> and Excel. After double clicking a document it takes 9 minutes for
>> Word to come up and then a further minute for the document to
>> appear. A notice also shows across the document saying something
>> like 'unable to register and links from other documents to this
>> document will not work.'
>> If I launch Word or Excel and open the file from there, all seems
>> okay.
>> All other applications work fine.
>>
>> I am at a loss now.
>>
>> Can anyone help.
>>
>> (I am posting in this newsgroup as well as office.msc in case it is
>> an XP issue)

>
> Please research how to cross-post instead of multi-post for the future.
> ;-)
>
> Not knowing what you have done to 'cure some of the issues' - this is what
> I suggest...
>
> (General computer cleanup/application updating and hard drive
> organization/checking)
>
> Windows XP Home Edition means 32-Bit WIndows XP - thank you; But there
> might be more information in a little more detail...
>
> You can obtain and supply the edition and version information:
>
> Start button --> RUN
> (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
> --> type in:
> winver
> --> Click OK.
>
> The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
> (Operating System name and edition) while the line starting with the word
> "version" will give you the rest of the story. Post _both_ in response
> to this message verbatim. No paraphrasing - instead - ensure
> character-for-character copying.
>
> What version of Internet Explorer are you currently using? Easy to find
> out. Open Internet Explorer and while that is in-focus, press and hold
> the "ALT" key on your keyboard. With the "ALT" key still pressed, press
> (just once, no holding) the "H" key. Now, with the "ALT" key still
> pressed, press (just once, no holding) the "A" key. That will bring up
> the "About Internet Explorer" window. It will give you the exact version
> you are using - repeat what you see there in response to this message.
>
> Having gotten that information - my general suggestions:
>
> * Get rid of whatever AntiVirus solution you have (particularly if it is
> an
> all-in-one type, unlesss it happens to be one of the two I am about to
> suggest) and install either (just one or the other) of these:
>
> - Avira AntiVir (free)
> - eSet NOD32 (AntiVirus only) (cost)
>
> * Get rid of whatever AntiMalware solution you have (unless it happens to
> be
> the one I am about to suggest) and install and occassionally scan with (or
> purchase and use to actively protect yourself with):
>
> - MalwareBytes
>
> * Get rid of any third-party firewall software and utilize the built-in
> Windows XP firewall.
>
> * Uninstall all unnecessary software, particularly any search/toolbars you
> do not use, any applications that run all the time that you never utilize,
> etc. If you have some 'weather' desktop stuff - learn to look outside.
> ;-)
>
> * CHKDSK
>
> * DEFRAGMENT
>
>
> Want more details, more stuff to do in order to optimize performance?
>
> Reboot so you start with a fresh machine. For everything here you will
> need to logon as an user with administrative (installation) priviledges.
>
> Fix your file/registry permissions...
>
> Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under
> "Advanced Troubleshooting" titled,
> "Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
> *will take time
> ** Ignore the last step (6) - you already should have SP3 - but not
> going to do it now.
>
> You will likely see errors pass by if you watching, even count up. No
> worries *at this time*.
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> Download/install the "Windows Installer CleanUp Utility":
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
>
> After installing, do the following:
>
> Start button --> RUN
> (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
> --> type in:
> "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
> --> Click OK.
> (The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)
>
> It will flash by *quick*, don't expect much out of this step to get
> excited about.
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> This time (and this is one of the more time-consuming steps) you will be
> running (one at a time with reboots in-between each) three different
> anti-spyware/anti-malware applications to ensure you come up clean.
>
> Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
> (freeware version):
>
> SuperAntiSpyware
> http://www.superantispyware.com/
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
> (freeware version):
>
> MalwareBytes
> http://www.malwarebytes.com/
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> Download and run the MSRT manually:
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
>
> You can un-install the first two if you want. I'd personally recommend
> keeping MalwareBytes around.
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
> ( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/details.aspx?familyid=5A58B56F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
> ... and save it to the root of your C:/ drive. After saving it to the
> root of the C:/ drive, do the following:
>
> Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.
>
> Start button --> RUN and type in:
> %SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
> --> Click OK.
>
> (If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click
> on
> NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> Visit this web page:
>
> How do I reset Windows Update components?
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
>
> ... and click on the "Microsoft Fix it" icon. When asked, select "RUN",
> both times. Check the "I agree" box and click on "Next". Check the box
> for "Run aggressive options (not recommended)" and click "Next". Let
> it finish up and follow the prompts until it is done. Close/exit.
>
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> You should now perform a full CHKDSK on your system drive (C:)...
>
> How to scan your disks for errors
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
> * will take time and a reboot
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> Time to clear up some space...
>
> If you are comfortable with the stability of your system, you can delete
> the
> uninstall files for the patches that Windows XP has installed...
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm
> ( Particularly of interest here - #4 )
> ( Alternative: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm )
>
> You can run Disk Cleanup - built into Windows XP - to erase all but your
> latest restore point and cleanup even more "loose files"..
>
> How to use Disk Cleanup
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312
>
> You can turn off hibernation if it is on and you don't use it..
>
> When you hibernate your computer, Windows saves the contents of the
> system's
> memory to the hiberfil.sys file. As a result, the size of the hiberfil.sys
> file will always equal the amount of physical memory in your system. If
> you
> don't use the hibernate feature and want to recapture the space that
> Windows
> uses for the hiberfil.sys file, perform the following steps:
>
> - Start the Control Panel Power Options applet (go to Start, Settings,
> Control Panel, and click Power Options).
> - Select the Hibernate tab, clear the "Enable hibernation" check box, then
> click OK; although you might think otherwise, selecting Never under the
> "System hibernates" option on the Power Schemes tab doesn't delete the
> hiberfil.sys file.
> - Windows will remove the "System hibernates" option from the Power
> Schemes
> tab and delete the hiberfil.sys file.
>
> You can control how much space your System Restore can use...
>
> 1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
> 2. Click the System Restore tab.
> 3. Highlight one of your drives (or C: if you only have one) and click on
> the "Settings" button.
> 4. Change the percentage of disk space you wish to allow.. I suggest
> moving
> the slider until you have just about 1GB (1024MB or close to that...)
> 5. Click OK.. Then Click OK again.
>
> You can control how much space your Temporary Internet Files can
> utilize...
>
> Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to a
> size between 64MB and 128MB..
>
> - Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
> - Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
> - Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section, do the
> following:
> - Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
> - Click on "Settings" and change the "Amount of disk space to use:" to
> something between 64MB and 128MB. (It may be MUCH larger right
> now.)
> - Click OK.
> - Click on "Delete Files" and select to "Delete all offline contents"
> (the checkbox) and click OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10
> minutes or more.)
> - Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer, re-open Internet
> Explorer.
>
> You can use an application that scans your system for log files and
> temporary files and use that to get rid of those:
>
> Ccleaner (Free!)
> http://www.ccleaner.com/
>
> Other ways to free up space..
>
> JDiskReport
> http://www.jgoodies.com/freeware/jdiskreport/index.html
>
> SequoiaView
> http://www.win.tue.nl/sequoiaview/
>
> Those can help you visually discover where all the space is being used.
>
> In the end - a standard Windows XP installation with all sorts of extras
> will not likely be above about 4.5GB to 9GB in size. If you have more
> space
> than that (likely do on a modern machine) and most of it seems to be
> used -
> likely you need to move *your stuff* off and/or find a better way to
> manage
> it.
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> You should now perform a full Defragment on your system drive (C:)...
>
> How to Defragment your hard drives
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
> * will take time
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ in Internet Explorer and
> select to do a CUSTOM scan...
>
> Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
> first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
> release the CTRL key after clicking each time.
>
> Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
> (deselect any others) and install it.
>
> Reboot again.
>
> If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
> time. Rebooting as needed.
>
> The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
> against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones or
> "Windows Live" ones for now. I would completely avoid the
> Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to
> install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
 
J

JoeSpareBedroom

Flightless Bird
Put the address of both (or more) newsgroups in the address line of the
original message, rather than sending separate messages to multiple groups.
Done correctly, people in group #1 will see responses posted in group #2 and
vice versa. This minimizes duplication of effort.


"Ed O'Brien" <edward.j.obrien@deletebtinternet.com> wrote in message
news:efikzhVjKHA.4672@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> Thank you, Shenan.
>
> At first glance - if you could call it that - it would be quicker to do a
> clean reinstall. The machine uses McAfee security centre.
>
> I will study your recommendations and - eventually - get back to you.
>
> Meanwhile - "Please research how to cross-post instead of multi-post for
> the future. ;-)" -
> the quickest way to start my research is to ask you: how do I cross-post?
>
> Regards,
>
> Ed
>
>
> "Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:edchNOVjKHA.5020@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> Ed O'Brien wrote:
>>> Office Small Business 2003 - Windows XP Home
>>>
>>> My daughter has asked be to help with her Dell Inspiron laptop,
>>> which has become incredibly slow.
>>>
>>> The worst offfender - having cured some of the issues - is MS Word
>>> and Excel. After double clicking a document it takes 9 minutes for
>>> Word to come up and then a further minute for the document to
>>> appear. A notice also shows across the document saying something
>>> like 'unable to register and links from other documents to this
>>> document will not work.'
>>> If I launch Word or Excel and open the file from there, all seems
>>> okay.
>>> All other applications work fine.
>>>
>>> I am at a loss now.
>>>
>>> Can anyone help.
>>>
>>> (I am posting in this newsgroup as well as office.msc in case it is
>>> an XP issue)

>>
>> Please research how to cross-post instead of multi-post for the future.
>> ;-)
>>
>> Not knowing what you have done to 'cure some of the issues' - this is
>> what I suggest...
>>
>> (General computer cleanup/application updating and hard drive
>> organization/checking)
>>
>> Windows XP Home Edition means 32-Bit WIndows XP - thank you; But there
>> might be more information in a little more detail...
>>
>> You can obtain and supply the edition and version information:
>>
>> Start button --> RUN
>> (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
>> --> type in:
>> winver
>> --> Click OK.
>>
>> The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
>> (Operating System name and edition) while the line starting with the word
>> "version" will give you the rest of the story. Post _both_ in response
>> to this message verbatim. No paraphrasing - instead - ensure
>> character-for-character copying.
>>
>> What version of Internet Explorer are you currently using? Easy to find
>> out. Open Internet Explorer and while that is in-focus, press and hold
>> the "ALT" key on your keyboard. With the "ALT" key still pressed, press
>> (just once, no holding) the "H" key. Now, with the "ALT" key still
>> pressed, press (just once, no holding) the "A" key. That will bring up
>> the "About Internet Explorer" window. It will give you the exact version
>> you are using - repeat what you see there in response to this message.
>>
>> Having gotten that information - my general suggestions:
>>
>> * Get rid of whatever AntiVirus solution you have (particularly if it is
>> an
>> all-in-one type, unlesss it happens to be one of the two I am about to
>> suggest) and install either (just one or the other) of these:
>>
>> - Avira AntiVir (free)
>> - eSet NOD32 (AntiVirus only) (cost)
>>
>> * Get rid of whatever AntiMalware solution you have (unless it happens to
>> be
>> the one I am about to suggest) and install and occassionally scan with
>> (or
>> purchase and use to actively protect yourself with):
>>
>> - MalwareBytes
>>
>> * Get rid of any third-party firewall software and utilize the built-in
>> Windows XP firewall.
>>
>> * Uninstall all unnecessary software, particularly any search/toolbars
>> you
>> do not use, any applications that run all the time that you never
>> utilize,
>> etc. If you have some 'weather' desktop stuff - learn to look outside.
>> ;-)
>>
>> * CHKDSK
>>
>> * DEFRAGMENT
>>
>>
>> Want more details, more stuff to do in order to optimize performance?
>>
>> Reboot so you start with a fresh machine. For everything here you will
>> need to logon as an user with administrative (installation) priviledges.
>>
>> Fix your file/registry permissions...
>>
>> Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under
>> "Advanced Troubleshooting" titled,
>> "Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
>> *will take time
>> ** Ignore the last step (6) - you already should have SP3 - but not
>> going to do it now.
>>
>> You will likely see errors pass by if you watching, even count up. No
>> worries *at this time*.
>>
>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>
>> Download/install the "Windows Installer CleanUp Utility":
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
>>
>> After installing, do the following:
>>
>> Start button --> RUN
>> (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
>> --> type in:
>> "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
>> --> Click OK.
>> (The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)
>>
>> It will flash by *quick*, don't expect much out of this step to get
>> excited about.
>>
>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>
>> This time (and this is one of the more time-consuming steps) you will be
>> running (one at a time with reboots in-between each) three different
>> anti-spyware/anti-malware applications to ensure you come up clean.
>>
>> Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
>> (freeware version):
>>
>> SuperAntiSpyware
>> http://www.superantispyware.com/
>>
>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>
>> Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
>> (freeware version):
>>
>> MalwareBytes
>> http://www.malwarebytes.com/
>>
>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>
>> Download and run the MSRT manually:
>> http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
>>
>> You can un-install the first two if you want. I'd personally recommend
>> keeping MalwareBytes around.
>>
>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>
>> Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
>> ( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/details.aspx?familyid=5A58B56F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4
>>
>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>
>> Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
>> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
>> ... and save it to the root of your C:/ drive. After saving it to the
>> root of the C:/ drive, do the following:
>>
>> Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.
>>
>> Start button --> RUN and type in:
>> %SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
>> --> Click OK.
>>
>> (If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click
>> on
>> NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...
>>
>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>
>> Visit this web page:
>>
>> How do I reset Windows Update components?
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
>>
>> ... and click on the "Microsoft Fix it" icon. When asked, select "RUN",
>> both times. Check the "I agree" box and click on "Next". Check the box
>> for "Run aggressive options (not recommended)" and click "Next". Let
>> it finish up and follow the prompts until it is done. Close/exit.
>>
>>
>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>
>> You should now perform a full CHKDSK on your system drive (C:)...
>>
>> How to scan your disks for errors
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
>> * will take time and a reboot
>>
>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>
>> Time to clear up some space...
>>
>> If you are comfortable with the stability of your system, you can delete
>> the
>> uninstall files for the patches that Windows XP has installed...
>> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm
>> ( Particularly of interest here - #4 )
>> ( Alternative: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm )
>>
>> You can run Disk Cleanup - built into Windows XP - to erase all but your
>> latest restore point and cleanup even more "loose files"..
>>
>> How to use Disk Cleanup
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312
>>
>> You can turn off hibernation if it is on and you don't use it..
>>
>> When you hibernate your computer, Windows saves the contents of the
>> system's
>> memory to the hiberfil.sys file. As a result, the size of the
>> hiberfil.sys
>> file will always equal the amount of physical memory in your system. If
>> you
>> don't use the hibernate feature and want to recapture the space that
>> Windows
>> uses for the hiberfil.sys file, perform the following steps:
>>
>> - Start the Control Panel Power Options applet (go to Start, Settings,
>> Control Panel, and click Power Options).
>> - Select the Hibernate tab, clear the "Enable hibernation" check box,
>> then
>> click OK; although you might think otherwise, selecting Never under the
>> "System hibernates" option on the Power Schemes tab doesn't delete the
>> hiberfil.sys file.
>> - Windows will remove the "System hibernates" option from the Power
>> Schemes
>> tab and delete the hiberfil.sys file.
>>
>> You can control how much space your System Restore can use...
>>
>> 1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
>> 2. Click the System Restore tab.
>> 3. Highlight one of your drives (or C: if you only have one) and click on
>> the "Settings" button.
>> 4. Change the percentage of disk space you wish to allow.. I suggest
>> moving
>> the slider until you have just about 1GB (1024MB or close to that...)
>> 5. Click OK.. Then Click OK again.
>>
>> You can control how much space your Temporary Internet Files can
>> utilize...
>>
>> Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to a
>> size between 64MB and 128MB..
>>
>> - Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
>> - Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
>> - Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section, do the
>> following:
>> - Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
>> - Click on "Settings" and change the "Amount of disk space to use:" to
>> something between 64MB and 128MB. (It may be MUCH larger right
>> now.)
>> - Click OK.
>> - Click on "Delete Files" and select to "Delete all offline contents"
>> (the checkbox) and click OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10
>> minutes or more.)
>> - Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer, re-open Internet
>> Explorer.
>>
>> You can use an application that scans your system for log files and
>> temporary files and use that to get rid of those:
>>
>> Ccleaner (Free!)
>> http://www.ccleaner.com/
>>
>> Other ways to free up space..
>>
>> JDiskReport
>> http://www.jgoodies.com/freeware/jdiskreport/index.html
>>
>> SequoiaView
>> http://www.win.tue.nl/sequoiaview/
>>
>> Those can help you visually discover where all the space is being used.
>>
>> In the end - a standard Windows XP installation with all sorts of extras
>> will not likely be above about 4.5GB to 9GB in size. If you have more
>> space
>> than that (likely do on a modern machine) and most of it seems to be
>> used -
>> likely you need to move *your stuff* off and/or find a better way to
>> manage
>> it.
>>
>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>
>> You should now perform a full Defragment on your system drive (C:)...
>>
>> How to Defragment your hard drives
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
>> * will take time
>>
>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>
>> Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ in Internet Explorer and
>> select to do a CUSTOM scan...
>>
>> Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
>> first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
>> release the CTRL key after clicking each time.
>>
>> Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
>> (deselect any others) and install it.
>>
>> Reboot again.
>>
>> If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
>> time. Rebooting as needed.
>>
>> The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
>> against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones or
>> "Windows Live" ones for now. I would completely avoid the
>> Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to
>> install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.
>>
>> --
>> Shenan Stanley
>> MS-MVP
>> --
>> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
>> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>>

>
 
S

Shenan Stanley

Flightless Bird
Ed O'Brien wrote:
> Office Small Business 2003 - Windows XP Home
>
> My daughter has asked be to help with her Dell Inspiron laptop,
> which has become incredibly slow.
>
> The worst offfender - having cured some of the issues - is MS Word
> and Excel. After double clicking a document it takes 9 minutes for
> Word to come up and then a further minute for the document to
> appear. A notice also shows across the document saying something
> like 'unable to register and links from other documents to this
> document will not work.'
> If I launch Word or Excel and open the file from there, all seems
> okay.
> All other applications work fine.
>
> I am at a loss now.
>
> Can anyone help.
>
> (I am posting in this newsgroup as well as office.msc in case it is
> an XP issue)


Shenan Stanley wrote:
> Please research how to cross-post instead of multi-post for the
> future. ;-)
> Not knowing what you have done to 'cure some of the issues' - this
> is what I suggest...
>
> (General computer cleanup/application updating and hard drive
> organization/checking)
>
> Windows XP Home Edition means 32-Bit WIndows XP - thank you; But
> there might be more information in a little more detail...
>
> You can obtain and supply the edition and version information:
>
> Start button --> RUN
> (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
> --> type in:
> winver
> --> Click OK.
>
> The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the
> general (Operating System name and edition) while the line starting
> with the word "version" will give you the rest of the story. Post
> _both_ in response to this message verbatim. No paraphrasing - instead -
> ensure
> character-for-character copying.
>
> What version of Internet Explorer are you currently using? Easy to
> find out. Open Internet Explorer and while that is in-focus, press
> and hold the "ALT" key on your keyboard. With the "ALT" key still
> pressed,
> press (just once, no holding) the "H" key. Now, with the "ALT" key
> still pressed, press (just once, no holding) the "A" key. That
> will bring up the "About Internet Explorer" window. It will give
> you the exact version you are using - repeat what you see there in
> response to this message.

<snipped>


Ed O'Brien wrote:
> Thank you, Shenan.
>
> At first glance - if you could call it that - it would be quicker
> to do a clean reinstall. The machine uses McAfee security centre.
>
> I will study your recommendations and - eventually - get back to
> you.
> Meanwhile - "Please research how to cross-post instead of
> multi-post for the future. ;-)" -
> the quickest way to start my research is to ask you: how do I
> cross-post?


It would only be quicker if there is *nothing* on that machine you are
worried about having to put back. Documents, spreadsheets, databases,
pictures, music, bookmarks/intenet favorites, emails, contacts, product
keys, installed products, etc. Which brings up backups - got any? ;-)

The steps may look long - but to be perfectly frank - most of the things I
tell people they should do to cleanup their machines should be done
periodically in order to properly maintain them. A computer is not a
toaster, but even if it was - a toaster needs maintenance too. *grin*


Uninstall McAfee Security Centre. I wouldn't recommend McAfee in most
cases - and definitely do not recommend any all-in-one suites. Ensure the
McAfee stuff is fully removed:
http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS100507
I believe you might be impressed with just how much that speeds up things
alone. For that link I just gave - do ignore "Step 3 - Reinstall your
McAfee Products"

Replace it with either:
- Avira AntiVir (free)
- eSet NOD32 (AntiVirus only) (cost)
and:
- The built-in Windows XP firewall (free - with the OS)
and (choose one):
- Occassional scanning with MalwareBytes (free)
- Active protection with MalwareBytes

(If you spent the maximum on the above suggestion - should be under $90
U.S. - and the combination of the pay versions of the above have kept
machines safe and trouble free that I used to have to cleanup monthly - the
operators are less than discriminating. *grin*)


Cross-posting:
The exact method will be determined by how you are posting (with what
application, in what way, etc).

Think of a newsgroup posting just like an email. If you want multiple
people to be sent the same email - you probably don't send an email to one
person, retype or copy the content and send the email to another person,
retype or copy the content and send the email to another person... and so
on. You put all of the valid email addresses in the "To:" field at the same
time. Same thing for cross-posting - you tell the message to go to all of
the newsgroups you want it to be posted in at the same time. It has
advantages - for you and those responding.

Would still like to see the version/edition information requested. It's not
completely necessary - but 'good form' when posting to forums such as this.
Sort of a basis for helping/getting help.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
 
E

Ed O'Brien

Flightless Bird
Thanks, Shenan.

Quite obvious. I'm feeling a bit embarrassed!

Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090804-1435 : Service Pack 3)

It is, of course, 32 bit.

Best wishes,

Ed



"Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:exH5nyVjKHA.5604@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Ed O'Brien wrote:
>> Office Small Business 2003 - Windows XP Home
>>
>> My daughter has asked be to help with her Dell Inspiron laptop,
>> which has become incredibly slow.
>>
>> The worst offfender - having cured some of the issues - is MS Word
>> and Excel. After double clicking a document it takes 9 minutes for
>> Word to come up and then a further minute for the document to
>> appear. A notice also shows across the document saying something
>> like 'unable to register and links from other documents to this
>> document will not work.'
>> If I launch Word or Excel and open the file from there, all seems
>> okay.
>> All other applications work fine.
>>
>> I am at a loss now.
>>
>> Can anyone help.
>>
>> (I am posting in this newsgroup as well as office.msc in case it is
>> an XP issue)

>
> Shenan Stanley wrote:
>> Please research how to cross-post instead of multi-post for the
>> future. ;-)
>> Not knowing what you have done to 'cure some of the issues' - this
>> is what I suggest...
>>
>> (General computer cleanup/application updating and hard drive
>> organization/checking)
>>
>> Windows XP Home Edition means 32-Bit WIndows XP - thank you; But
>> there might be more information in a little more detail...
>>
>> You can obtain and supply the edition and version information:
>>
>> Start button --> RUN
>> (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
>> --> type in:
>> winver
>> --> Click OK.
>>
>> The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the
>> general (Operating System name and edition) while the line starting
>> with the word "version" will give you the rest of the story. Post
>> _both_ in response to this message verbatim. No paraphrasing - instead -
>> ensure
>> character-for-character copying.
>>
>> What version of Internet Explorer are you currently using? Easy to
>> find out. Open Internet Explorer and while that is in-focus, press
>> and hold the "ALT" key on your keyboard. With the "ALT" key still
>> pressed,
>> press (just once, no holding) the "H" key. Now, with the "ALT" key
>> still pressed, press (just once, no holding) the "A" key. That
>> will bring up the "About Internet Explorer" window. It will give
>> you the exact version you are using - repeat what you see there in
>> response to this message.

> <snipped>
>
>
> Ed O'Brien wrote:
>> Thank you, Shenan.
>>
>> At first glance - if you could call it that - it would be quicker
>> to do a clean reinstall. The machine uses McAfee security centre.
>>
>> I will study your recommendations and - eventually - get back to
>> you.
>> Meanwhile - "Please research how to cross-post instead of
>> multi-post for the future. ;-)" -
>> the quickest way to start my research is to ask you: how do I
>> cross-post?

>
> It would only be quicker if there is *nothing* on that machine you are
> worried about having to put back. Documents, spreadsheets, databases,
> pictures, music, bookmarks/intenet favorites, emails, contacts, product
> keys, installed products, etc. Which brings up backups - got any? ;-)
>
> The steps may look long - but to be perfectly frank - most of the things I
> tell people they should do to cleanup their machines should be done
> periodically in order to properly maintain them. A computer is not a
> toaster, but even if it was - a toaster needs maintenance too. *grin*
>
>
> Uninstall McAfee Security Centre. I wouldn't recommend McAfee in most
> cases - and definitely do not recommend any all-in-one suites. Ensure the
> McAfee stuff is fully removed:
> http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS100507
> I believe you might be impressed with just how much that speeds up things
> alone. For that link I just gave - do ignore "Step 3 - Reinstall your
> McAfee Products"
>
> Replace it with either:
> - Avira AntiVir (free)
> - eSet NOD32 (AntiVirus only) (cost)
> and:
> - The built-in Windows XP firewall (free - with the OS)
> and (choose one):
> - Occassional scanning with MalwareBytes (free)
> - Active protection with MalwareBytes
>
> (If you spent the maximum on the above suggestion - should be under $90
> U.S. - and the combination of the pay versions of the above have kept
> machines safe and trouble free that I used to have to cleanup monthly -
> the operators are less than discriminating. *grin*)
>
>
> Cross-posting:
> The exact method will be determined by how you are posting (with what
> application, in what way, etc).
>
> Think of a newsgroup posting just like an email. If you want multiple
> people to be sent the same email - you probably don't send an email to one
> person, retype or copy the content and send the email to another person,
> retype or copy the content and send the email to another person... and so
> on. You put all of the valid email addresses in the "To:" field at the
> same time. Same thing for cross-posting - you tell the message to go to
> all of the newsgroups you want it to be posted in at the same time. It
> has advantages - for you and those responding.
>
> Would still like to see the version/edition information requested. It's
> not completely necessary - but 'good form' when posting to forums such as
> this. Sort of a basis for helping/getting help.
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
 
E

Ed O'Brien

Flightless Bird
Thanks for that. I use the forums pretty rarely, although looking in I can
sometimes help. Bit embarrassing missing the obvious, tho'.

Kind regards,

Ed


"JoeSpareBedroom" <newstrash@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
news:nAo0n.12507$Wl3.11122@newsfe11.iad...
> Put the address of both (or more) newsgroups in the address line of the
> original message, rather than sending separate messages to multiple
> groups. Done correctly, people in group #1 will see responses posted in
> group #2 and vice versa. This minimizes duplication of effort.
>
>
> "Ed O'Brien" <edward.j.obrien@deletebtinternet.com> wrote in message
> news:efikzhVjKHA.4672@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>
>> Thank you, Shenan.
>>
>> At first glance - if you could call it that - it would be quicker to do a
>> clean reinstall. The machine uses McAfee security centre.
>>
>> I will study your recommendations and - eventually - get back to you.
>>
>> Meanwhile - "Please research how to cross-post instead of multi-post for
>> the future. ;-)" -
>> the quickest way to start my research is to ask you: how do I cross-post?
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Ed
>>
>>
>> "Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:edchNOVjKHA.5020@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>> Ed O'Brien wrote:
>>>> Office Small Business 2003 - Windows XP Home
>>>>
>>>> My daughter has asked be to help with her Dell Inspiron laptop,
>>>> which has become incredibly slow.
>>>>
>>>> The worst offfender - having cured some of the issues - is MS Word
>>>> and Excel. After double clicking a document it takes 9 minutes for
>>>> Word to come up and then a further minute for the document to
>>>> appear. A notice also shows across the document saying something
>>>> like 'unable to register and links from other documents to this
>>>> document will not work.'
>>>> If I launch Word or Excel and open the file from there, all seems
>>>> okay.
>>>> All other applications work fine.
>>>>
>>>> I am at a loss now.
>>>>
>>>> Can anyone help.
>>>>
>>>> (I am posting in this newsgroup as well as office.msc in case it is
>>>> an XP issue)
>>>
>>> Please research how to cross-post instead of multi-post for the future.
>>> ;-)
>>>
>>> Not knowing what you have done to 'cure some of the issues' - this is
>>> what I suggest...
>>>
>>> (General computer cleanup/application updating and hard drive
>>> organization/checking)
>>>
>>> Windows XP Home Edition means 32-Bit WIndows XP - thank you; But there
>>> might be more information in a little more detail...
>>>
>>> You can obtain and supply the edition and version information:
>>>
>>> Start button --> RUN
>>> (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
>>> --> type in:
>>> winver
>>> --> Click OK.
>>>
>>> The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the
>>> general
>>> (Operating System name and edition) while the line starting with the
>>> word
>>> "version" will give you the rest of the story. Post _both_ in response
>>> to this message verbatim. No paraphrasing - instead - ensure
>>> character-for-character copying.
>>>
>>> What version of Internet Explorer are you currently using? Easy to find
>>> out. Open Internet Explorer and while that is in-focus, press and hold
>>> the "ALT" key on your keyboard. With the "ALT" key still pressed, press
>>> (just once, no holding) the "H" key. Now, with the "ALT" key still
>>> pressed, press (just once, no holding) the "A" key. That will bring
>>> up
>>> the "About Internet Explorer" window. It will give you the exact
>>> version
>>> you are using - repeat what you see there in response to this message.
>>>
>>> Having gotten that information - my general suggestions:
>>>
>>> * Get rid of whatever AntiVirus solution you have (particularly if it is
>>> an
>>> all-in-one type, unlesss it happens to be one of the two I am about to
>>> suggest) and install either (just one or the other) of these:
>>>
>>> - Avira AntiVir (free)
>>> - eSet NOD32 (AntiVirus only) (cost)
>>>
>>> * Get rid of whatever AntiMalware solution you have (unless it happens
>>> to be
>>> the one I am about to suggest) and install and occassionally scan with
>>> (or
>>> purchase and use to actively protect yourself with):
>>>
>>> - MalwareBytes
>>>
>>> * Get rid of any third-party firewall software and utilize the built-in
>>> Windows XP firewall.
>>>
>>> * Uninstall all unnecessary software, particularly any search/toolbars
>>> you
>>> do not use, any applications that run all the time that you never
>>> utilize,
>>> etc. If you have some 'weather' desktop stuff - learn to look outside.
>>> ;-)
>>>
>>> * CHKDSK
>>>
>>> * DEFRAGMENT
>>>
>>>
>>> Want more details, more stuff to do in order to optimize performance?
>>>
>>> Reboot so you start with a fresh machine. For everything here you will
>>> need to logon as an user with administrative (installation) priviledges.
>>>
>>> Fix your file/registry permissions...
>>>
>>> Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under
>>> "Advanced Troubleshooting" titled,
>>> "Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
>>> *will take time
>>> ** Ignore the last step (6) - you already should have SP3 - but not
>>> going to do it now.
>>>
>>> You will likely see errors pass by if you watching, even count up. No
>>> worries *at this time*.
>>>
>>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>>
>>> Download/install the "Windows Installer CleanUp Utility":
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
>>>
>>> After installing, do the following:
>>>
>>> Start button --> RUN
>>> (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
>>> --> type in:
>>> "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
>>> --> Click OK.
>>> (The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)
>>>
>>> It will flash by *quick*, don't expect much out of this step to get
>>> excited about.
>>>
>>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>>
>>> This time (and this is one of the more time-consuming steps) you will be
>>> running (one at a time with reboots in-between each) three different
>>> anti-spyware/anti-malware applications to ensure you come up clean.
>>>
>>> Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the
>>> following
>>> (freeware version):
>>>
>>> SuperAntiSpyware
>>> http://www.superantispyware.com/
>>>
>>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>>
>>> Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the
>>> following
>>> (freeware version):
>>>
>>> MalwareBytes
>>> http://www.malwarebytes.com/
>>>
>>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>>
>>> Download and run the MSRT manually:
>>> http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
>>>
>>> You can un-install the first two if you want. I'd personally recommend
>>> keeping MalwareBytes around.
>>>
>>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>>
>>> Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
>>> ( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/details.aspx?familyid=5A58B56F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4
>>>
>>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>>
>>> Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
>>> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
>>> ... and save it to the root of your C:/ drive. After saving it to the
>>> root of the C:/ drive, do the following:
>>>
>>> Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.
>>>
>>> Start button --> RUN and type in:
>>> %SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
>>> --> Click OK.
>>>
>>> (If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and
>>> click on
>>> NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...
>>>
>>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>>
>>> Visit this web page:
>>>
>>> How do I reset Windows Update components?
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
>>>
>>> ... and click on the "Microsoft Fix it" icon. When asked, select "RUN",
>>> both times. Check the "I agree" box and click on "Next". Check the box
>>> for "Run aggressive options (not recommended)" and click "Next". Let
>>> it finish up and follow the prompts until it is done. Close/exit.
>>>
>>>
>>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>>
>>> You should now perform a full CHKDSK on your system drive (C:)...
>>>
>>> How to scan your disks for errors
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
>>> * will take time and a reboot
>>>
>>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>>
>>> Time to clear up some space...
>>>
>>> If you are comfortable with the stability of your system, you can delete
>>> the
>>> uninstall files for the patches that Windows XP has installed...
>>> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm
>>> ( Particularly of interest here - #4 )
>>> ( Alternative: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm )
>>>
>>> You can run Disk Cleanup - built into Windows XP - to erase all but your
>>> latest restore point and cleanup even more "loose files"..
>>>
>>> How to use Disk Cleanup
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312
>>>
>>> You can turn off hibernation if it is on and you don't use it..
>>>
>>> When you hibernate your computer, Windows saves the contents of the
>>> system's
>>> memory to the hiberfil.sys file. As a result, the size of the
>>> hiberfil.sys
>>> file will always equal the amount of physical memory in your system. If
>>> you
>>> don't use the hibernate feature and want to recapture the space that
>>> Windows
>>> uses for the hiberfil.sys file, perform the following steps:
>>>
>>> - Start the Control Panel Power Options applet (go to Start, Settings,
>>> Control Panel, and click Power Options).
>>> - Select the Hibernate tab, clear the "Enable hibernation" check box,
>>> then
>>> click OK; although you might think otherwise, selecting Never under the
>>> "System hibernates" option on the Power Schemes tab doesn't delete the
>>> hiberfil.sys file.
>>> - Windows will remove the "System hibernates" option from the Power
>>> Schemes
>>> tab and delete the hiberfil.sys file.
>>>
>>> You can control how much space your System Restore can use...
>>>
>>> 1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
>>> 2. Click the System Restore tab.
>>> 3. Highlight one of your drives (or C: if you only have one) and click
>>> on
>>> the "Settings" button.
>>> 4. Change the percentage of disk space you wish to allow.. I suggest
>>> moving
>>> the slider until you have just about 1GB (1024MB or close to that...)
>>> 5. Click OK.. Then Click OK again.
>>>
>>> You can control how much space your Temporary Internet Files can
>>> utilize...
>>>
>>> Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to a
>>> size between 64MB and 128MB..
>>>
>>> - Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
>>> - Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
>>> - Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section, do
>>> the
>>> following:
>>> - Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
>>> - Click on "Settings" and change the "Amount of disk space to use:" to
>>> something between 64MB and 128MB. (It may be MUCH larger right
>>> now.)
>>> - Click OK.
>>> - Click on "Delete Files" and select to "Delete all offline contents"
>>> (the checkbox) and click OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10
>>> minutes or more.)
>>> - Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer, re-open Internet
>>> Explorer.
>>>
>>> You can use an application that scans your system for log files and
>>> temporary files and use that to get rid of those:
>>>
>>> Ccleaner (Free!)
>>> http://www.ccleaner.com/
>>>
>>> Other ways to free up space..
>>>
>>> JDiskReport
>>> http://www.jgoodies.com/freeware/jdiskreport/index.html
>>>
>>> SequoiaView
>>> http://www.win.tue.nl/sequoiaview/
>>>
>>> Those can help you visually discover where all the space is being used.
>>>
>>> In the end - a standard Windows XP installation with all sorts of extras
>>> will not likely be above about 4.5GB to 9GB in size. If you have more
>>> space
>>> than that (likely do on a modern machine) and most of it seems to be
>>> used -
>>> likely you need to move *your stuff* off and/or find a better way to
>>> manage
>>> it.
>>>
>>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>>
>>> You should now perform a full Defragment on your system drive (C:)...
>>>
>>> How to Defragment your hard drives
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
>>> * will take time
>>>
>>> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>>>
>>> Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ in Internet Explorer and
>>> select to do a CUSTOM scan...
>>>
>>> Every time you are about to click on something while at these web
>>> pages -
>>> first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
>>> release the CTRL key after clicking each time.
>>>
>>> Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
>>> (deselect any others) and install it.
>>>
>>> Reboot again.
>>>
>>> If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at
>>> a
>>> time. Rebooting as needed.
>>>
>>> The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
>>> against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones or
>>> "Windows Live" ones for now. I would completely avoid the
>>> Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to
>>> install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Shenan Stanley
>>> MS-MVP
>>> --
>>> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
>>> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>>>

>>

>
>
 
S

Shenan Stanley

Flightless Bird
<snipped>

Ed O'Brien wrote:
> Thanks, Shenan.
>
> Quite obvious. I'm feeling a bit embarrassed!
>
> Windows XP Home Edition
> Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090804-1435 : Service Pack 3)
>
> It is, of course, 32 bit.


No need to be embarrassed - if we all knew everything, there wouldn't be
much need to do much else, eh? ;-)

I see from the version information it is well updated (Windows XP anyway) -
that is good.

Personally - I wouldn't rebuild from scratch just because of the problem you
are having. A little time, a run though some of the cleanup stuff I gave
and maybe the problem will be resolved - could just be badly fragmented -
might have a bad drive even.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
 
E

Ed O'Brien

Flightless Bird
Kind words, Shenan. Thanks.

Having a multi-licence for Reg Mechanic (she is my daughter, after all) I
loaded it and ran it. All is now okay. Nearly 500 registry blips! Don't know
why I didn't think of it before.

I had already run disc cleanup, scandisc, chkdsk, defrag and disabled about
15 unneeded Services. Now I'll sort out the McAfee. All should then be okay.

Thanks for your time and trouble.

Best wishes,

Ed

"Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ujH8sSWjKHA.2780@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> <snipped>
>
> Ed O'Brien wrote:
>> Thanks, Shenan.
>>
>> Quite obvious. I'm feeling a bit embarrassed!
>>
>> Windows XP Home Edition
>> Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090804-1435 : Service Pack 3)
>>
>> It is, of course, 32 bit.

>
> No need to be embarrassed - if we all knew everything, there wouldn't be
> much need to do much else, eh? ;-)
>
> I see from the version information it is well updated (Windows XP
> anyway) - that is good.
>
> Personally - I wouldn't rebuild from scratch just because of the problem
> you are having. A little time, a run though some of the cleanup stuff I
> gave and maybe the problem will be resolved - could just be badly
> fragmented - might have a bad drive even.
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
 
S

Shenan Stanley

Flightless Bird
Ed O'Brien wrote:
> Office Small Business 2003 - Windows XP Home
>
> My daughter has asked be to help with her Dell Inspiron laptop,
> which has become incredibly slow.
>
> The worst offfender - having cured some of the issues - is MS Word
> and Excel. After double clicking a document it takes 9 minutes for
> Word to come up and then a further minute for the document to
> appear. A notice also shows across the document saying something
> like 'unable to register and links from other documents to this
> document will not work.'
> If I launch Word or Excel and open the file from there, all seems
> okay.
> All other applications work fine.
>
> I am at a loss now.
>
> Can anyone help.
>
> (I am posting in this newsgroup as well as office.msc in case it is
> an XP issue)


Shenan Stanley wrote:
> Please research how to cross-post instead of multi-post for the
> future. ;-)
> Not knowing what you have done to 'cure some of the issues' - this
> is what I suggest...
>
> (General computer cleanup/application updating and hard drive
> organization/checking)
>
> Windows XP Home Edition means 32-Bit WIndows XP - thank you; But
> there might be more information in a little more detail...
>
> You can obtain and supply the edition and version information:
>
> Start button --> RUN
> (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
> --> type in:
> winver
> --> Click OK.
>
> The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the
> general (Operating System name and edition) while the line starting
> with the word "version" will give you the rest of the story. Post
> _both_ in response to this message verbatim. No paraphrasing - instead -
> ensure
> character-for-character copying.
>
> What version of Internet Explorer are you currently using? Easy to
> find out. Open Internet Explorer and while that is in-focus, press
> and hold the "ALT" key on your keyboard. With the "ALT" key still
> pressed,
> press (just once, no holding) the "H" key. Now, with the "ALT" key
> still pressed, press (just once, no holding) the "A" key. That
> will bring up the "About Internet Explorer" window. It will give
> you the exact version you are using - repeat what you see there in
> response to this message.

<snipped>

Ed O'Brien wrote:
> Thank you, Shenan.
>
> At first glance - if you could call it that - it would be quicker
> to do a clean reinstall. The machine uses McAfee security centre.
>
> I will study your recommendations and - eventually - get back to
> you.
> Meanwhile - "Please research how to cross-post instead of
> multi-post for the future. ;-)" -
> the quickest way to start my research is to ask you: how do I
> cross-post?


Shenan Stanley wrote:
> It would only be quicker if there is *nothing* on that machine you
> are worried about having to put back. Documents, spreadsheets,
> databases, pictures, music, bookmarks/intenet favorites, emails,
> contacts, product keys, installed products, etc. Which brings up
> backups - got any? ;-)
> The steps may look long - but to be perfectly frank - most of the
> things I tell people they should do to cleanup their machines
> should be done periodically in order to properly maintain them. A
> computer is not a toaster, but even if it was - a toaster needs
> maintenance too. *grin*
> Uninstall McAfee Security Centre. I wouldn't recommend McAfee in
> most cases - and definitely do not recommend any all-in-one suites.
> Ensure the McAfee stuff is fully removed:
> http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS100507
> I believe you might be impressed with just how much that speeds up
> things alone. For that link I just gave - do ignore "Step 3 -
> Reinstall your McAfee Products"
>
> Replace it with either:
> - Avira AntiVir (free)
> - eSet NOD32 (AntiVirus only) (cost)
> and:
> - The built-in Windows XP firewall (free - with the OS)
> and (choose one):
> - Occassional scanning with MalwareBytes (free)
> - Active protection with MalwareBytes
>
> (If you spent the maximum on the above suggestion - should be under
> $90 U.S. - and the combination of the pay versions of the above
> have kept machines safe and trouble free that I used to have to
> cleanup monthly - the operators are less than discriminating. *grin*)
> Cross-posting:
> The exact method will be determined by how you are posting (with
> what application, in what way, etc).
>
> Think of a newsgroup posting just like an email. If you want
> multiple people to be sent the same email - you probably don't send
> an email to one person, retype or copy the content and send the
> email to another person, retype or copy the content and send the
> email to another person... and so on. You put all of the valid
> email addresses in the "To:" field at the same time. Same thing
> for cross-posting - you tell the message to go to all of the
> newsgroups you want it to be posted in at the same time. It has
> advantages - for you and those responding.
> Would still like to see the version/edition information requested. It's
> not completely necessary - but 'good form' when posting to
> forums such as this. Sort of a basis for helping/getting help.


Ed O'Brien wrote:
> Thanks, Shenan.
>
> Quite obvious. I'm feeling a bit embarrassed!
>
> Windows XP Home Edition
> Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090804-1435 : Service Pack 3)
>
> It is, of course, 32 bit.


Shenan Stanley wrote:
> No need to be embarrassed - if we all knew everything, there
> wouldn't be much need to do much else, eh? ;-)
>
> I see from the version information it is well updated (Windows XP
> anyway) - that is good.
>
> Personally - I wouldn't rebuild from scratch just because of the
> problem you are having. A little time, a run though some of the
> cleanup stuff I gave and maybe the problem will be resolved - could
> just be badly fragmented - might have a bad drive even.


Ed O'Brien wrote:
> Kind words, Shenan. Thanks.
>
> Having a multi-licence for Reg Mechanic (she is my daughter, after
> all) I loaded it and ran it. All is now okay. Nearly 500 registry
> blips! Don't know why I didn't think of it before.
>
> I had already run disc cleanup, scandisc, chkdsk, defrag and
> disabled about 15 unneeded Services. Now I'll sort out the McAfee.
> All should then be okay.
> Thanks for your time and trouble.


Although not something I would generally recommend (registry 'cleaning'
directly) - glad you got it sorted!

Thank you for coming back to report what happened!

BTW - I still highly recommend getting rid of McAfee. ;-)

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
 
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