my system is an HP Vectra VL400 with Pentium 3 1.0GHz, 512mb PC133 RAM, and 128mb AGP graphics card, running Windows 2000 Professional, and startup is extremly slow once it gets into the logon. it takes forever to "apply security policy", then i type in my password, it loads desktop image, but takes forever to finish loading all the tray icons and stop doing hard drive access. my cousin's pentium 2 450mhz with 256mb PC100 RAM has Windows 2K Pro as well, and it loads much, much, quicker, even though i have all sorts of optimizing programs and i defrag once a week! it runs good once i get into windows, but startup takes forever. Please help, im getting sick of it! thanx

Probably there are viruses or spy programs on your computer. Check Task Manager to see which processes are running, use Ad-aware or spy bot, check up registry (Run, Run Once)

Run the system with AntiSpyware like Spybot,ad-aware in safe mode , remove the network connection and delete all the RED entries.Also run a full Antivirus system scan in safe mode. If u dont have any antivirus u can go to mcafee site for free system scan here is the URL: http://us.macfee/root/mfs/default.asp Also remove unnecessary software installed from control panel. or,start->run-> type msconfig press enter a window will get opened, goto startup and uncheck unwanted checkbox.

DHCP server setting is on automatic change it to manual. Control Panel,Admin Tools,Services, right click DHCP Client, properties, change startup type to manual. Good Luck