I currently have a problem when booting up my Dell Dimension 9100 PC with Windows XP. My programs do start up ok and quickly with only selected programs needed at start up. However, the problem I am having occurs when I try to open internet explorer or another program after start up, it will take up to 2 minutes to open a program with no hard drive activity during this period. I have used Win Clean which is a program to clean up the registry and other clutter hoping that this would help, however but it hasnt. My PC is does run smoothly however it is only at start up that I have delays opening a program. Any suggestions to cure this problem will be helpful. Thanks.

Try a System Restore to before this started.

I've done that already and the problem still occurs.

do not do system restore, i dont trust it at all. Go to start>Run>MSCONFIG under the start up tab a large majority of services you dont need directly at startup. deselect those you deem unnesicary such as nero, windows live messenger, steam, office groove, skype etc etc etc. also give ccleaner a shot, i have not tried your program but ccleaner has done me wonders. Beast Desktop Intel Q6600 G0 @ 2.4ghz Evga 680i Evga 8800GTS 640mb/320bit 4096mb corsair 1x 160gb | 1x 500gb 750w corsair psu

JTM718, if the System Restore didn't help (which I think is kinda odd). That probably eliminates a Registry problem and any software that might have been installed. It's a good idea to reverse the System Restore back to the original, if you haven't already done it. If you have any external devices connected (USB, firewire, ethernet, etc), you could try disconnecting them to see if it makes any difference.

I'm wondering if it has to do with the ethernet cable connected to my Linksys router because when I disconnect the cable from my router all of my programs start up quickly. It seems to get slow once connected to my cable modem. Can it be that my router or ISP is causing the slow down when I start up?

It sounds like the system might be looking for a device on the LAN. Do you have any mapped drives that are no longer available? You might have to go to the Networking forum for help. I'm not all that knowledgeable in that area. But maybe someone who is will pop in here. You could power your router/modem off and on to see if that helps.