Computer wizards????

[MovinH2]

Could be a virus/adware/spyware too. Run a scan to be safe.

[Lucifer]

Make sure you have only 1 virus program installed. What was the last thing you installed before it started running slow? Does it slow down when only when its not plugged into the wall? Some laptops have settings that slow the processor down when not plugged in. PM me and I can give you a call and walk through checking a few things to see whats up.

As for reformatting the HDD, thats fine for a corporate peon with a standard image. On a personal PC, it would take many hours to reload all the crap, and you would probably reload the same program that was causing the problem in the first place. Once you graduated from the help desk you may learn that someday.

[ree]

f5fstop,
If it's before you get to log in, i.e. before windows has started where you have, then I'm convinced is drivers that are having trouble being started and not just adware or anything like that. Most of the recommendations to uninstall things, and to disable startup services are only really going to be effective if the problematic applications are ones that get started after the windows shell starts and the user is given an opportunity to log in.

[Klaus]

Check your Event Logs.

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by Klaus

Check your Event Logs.

what if they have half-chewed peanuts in them?

[Klaus]

Originally Posted by PARAGON

what if they have half-chewed peanuts in them?

[f5fstop]

Thanks to all, but it did take a backup, format, reinstall to get the bugger working correctly. Two nights ago, I was on the phone with the HP (Seattle, not India) help and we tried everything, looked at everything from software to hardware. For some reason, all they could figure out was the files for booting somehow got messed up.
We, HP and I, are wondering if it was a problem with the uninstall of IE7, Beta 2, with the install of the IE7, Beta 3 upgrade. So, just to make sure, I'll stay with IE6 until the final IE7 is released.
So, last night did a reinstall and everything is working great. Two hours for a format, another 1.5 to install the standard software with the machine. Now, I'm slowly installing all the additional software I use.
If it happens again, they say they will just replace, but hopefully, it won't happen.

[Agriv8r]

unplug it, count to 30 and buy a new one. This has worked for me in the past and will work on just about everything

actually I just got off the phone with dell, ask for the john wayne line (no indians ) they walked me through my issues and sounded very cowboy.

good luck

[DennisAJC]

Originally Posted by PARAGON

what if they have half-chewed peanuts in them?

I just threw up in my mouth.