I am having problems with my computer not completing its boot-up routine unless I "coax" it into action.

After entering my password on login, I get only a blue screen and the cursor arrow.

I can hear the machine working away but see nothing but blue. Nice colour, but no action.

It does not load my personal settings etc.

The only way I can get it to work is popping a disc into my DVD drive or CD drive. That seems to inspire it into action and it notifies me that my personal settings etc are being loaded.

It does so, and all comes good - except that these days it is taking an interminable time to load the programs.

This started happening only this week, after (much to my regret) I connected to the internet.

I did not use the net until loading Norton to make sure I wouldn't pick up any viruses or other nasties, but all is not well.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks in anticipation.

PS: My operating system is Windows 2000.
Other additions made to my machine in recent weeks is adding an external hard drive, and installing a sound card - but thosre work well.

Again, any help would be appreciated.

Kindest regards
tonyv

Hello, and Welcome to D-A-L.

It would appear something is "unsure" when loading. I suspect Norton. It's a known resource hog.

If you want to try something else to verify if Symantec (Norton) is the problem, first grab Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel.

Then grab:

avast! Anti-Virus

and

Comodo Firewall

If you're connected to the internet full time, either unplug your modem cable, or, disable your internet connection/LAN.

Then use the Startup Control Panel to stop Norton from loading. (Under the HKLM/Run key.)

Reboot. At this point you will either see no improvement, or a vast improvement in your boot scenario. If there's improvement, then install avast! and Comodo, restarting after each install.

Re-establish your network/internet connection, and you should be good to go.

Post back with your results and any further questions.