from the "Run" command in the "start" menu, type "msconfig".
XP or Vista:
press windows key + letter R
enter msconfig
press enter
Then click on the "Startup" tab [ XP ]
and you will see everything that gets loaded on boot.
All of those things are candidate to turn off.
turn off ONLY those items that you yourself have added
You may need to start something later if it happens to be a service that is needed for a program or app.
But check it out and you should be able to get your boot speed back up to par.
Run disk cleanup, and de-fragmenter.
These applications are built-in with windows and will help you remove any unwanted files etc.
XP:
Disk Cleanup:
start
all programs
accessories
system tools
Disk Clean:
click disk drive [c] to clean
place a check in each box that shows any numbers on the right
CAUTION ,RECYCLE BIN WILL BE ON THIS LIST.
IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO EMPTY IT,...DO NOT CHECK IT !
click delete
click ok in confirmation dialog box
Disk Defragmenter:
start
all programs
accessories
system tools
Disk Defragmenter:
click analyze
if it shows that you need to defrag,click defrag now
Vista:
Disk Clean:
start
control panel
performance-information & tools
click Disk Clean
click disk drive [c or o.s. (c)] to clean
place a check in each box that shows any numbers on the right
CAUTION ,RECYCLE BIN WILL BE ON THIS LIST.
IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO EMPTY IT,...DO NOT CHECK IT !
click delete
click ok in confirmation dialog box
Disk Defragmenter:
start
control panel
performance-information & tools
advanced tools
open Disk Defragmenter
click analyze
click defrag if you're told you need to do so
faster icon load:
XP:
start
my computer
local disk drive [c]
tools
folder options
view
uncheck auto search for network folders/printers
Connections:
start
connect to
right click connection
select properties
click networking
check print/file sharing
click uninstall
[ don't do this if you use printers ]
Internet Options:
start
control panel
internet options
general
connections
check always dial default connections [ DIAL UP ONLY ! ]
SETTINGS:
check auto detect settings
DIAL UP SETTINGS:
properties
general
configure:
uncheck show terminal window
uncheck enable modem speakers [ to get rid of electronic squeal on boot up ]
general:
options:
check include windows domain
Redial: 5 times
attempts: 1 minute
idle time: never
Redial if dropped: check
General:
security:
check typical
networking:
properties:
check obtain ip address automatically
check use dns server address
[ you need to get these from your i.s.p. and add them into the 2 boxes here.
localnet is:
207-251-201-10
207-251-201-11
DIAL UP ONLY ]
Dial up settings:
Advanced:
connect 10 times
wait time 15 seconds
uncheck:
disconnect if idle
disconnect when not needed
Dial Up Options:
What's a modem initialization string?
Before your modem software dials a phone number, it initializes (inits) the modem by sending it a series (string) of commands, typically Hayes commands. These commands configure the modem's options for things like error correction, data compression, flow control, and many other parameters. The modem manual should list the Hayes commands the modem recognizes, and what effect each command has.
The important thing about modem init strings is that having the right one often makes the difference between connecting and not. Init strings are fairly specific to each modem. The string that made your friend's modem fly may not work at all for your modem.
Not all programs use simple init strings. Some use settings files, such as Windows 95 .inf files, Mac CCL modem scripts, etc.
Tip: You may also want to try one of these generic init strings:
* AT&F
* AT&F1
* AT&F&C1&D2
* AT&F1&C1&D2
modem strings:
http://www.west.net/~jay/modem/
Tip 2: For K56flex modems, try one of these generic init strings:
* AT&F+MS=56
* AT&F+MS=56S202=32
* AT&F1+MS=56
* AT&F1+MS=56S202=32
Where do I put the modem init string?
start
control panel
phone & modem options
modems
properties
advanced
INITIALIZATION
enter initialization string in box provided
close and reboot