> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ken Vickery

> Problem: Using XP Media Edition, 1GB Ram, recently home
> networked.  Recently my computer boots "normally"
> BUT I can't start Media Center, MSN Messenger 7.5, Internet
> Explorer 6 or even Word Perfect 12 AND my
> printer won't function.  But I can start Quickbooks, Adobe
> Reader 7, MS Word, McAfee, Zone Alarm Pro,
> Netscape 7.2.  When I try to start (open) Messenger, for
> instance, it shows the sand timer for a second
> or two and then goes to the tray with not connected sign.
> Trying to open Word Perfect or Internet
> Explorer 6, the opening screen appears and then it appears to
> freeze and then with a cntrl-alt-del it
> will show that the program is 'not responding'.  If I try to
> print, I get a printer problem.  However, if
> I wait about 10 miniutes, either of the above programs will
> finish starting as though nothing happened in
> the meantime and the printer is then online.  While waiting,
> I can run the programs that will load and
> when the others finally load, they'll pop up.
>
> I've tried unplugging from my home net.  No effect.  I've
> tried stopping ZA and McAfee, no effect.
> During this wait of 10 minutes or so, memory usage is around
> 1 %, one percent.  I do not hear the hard
> drive accessing (and nor is there any network access that I
> can tell).  The other computer on the system
> is not affected.
>
> This is repeated on every boot up.  I have to wait 10 minutes
> or so before I can use my Word Perfect.
>
> Any solutions?
> Ken Vickery

Ken,

Check for a program that will not load properly or a device that will not
initialize correctly. You could try disabling startup programs with msconfig
and disable devices via Hardware Device Manager. It would be a trial and
error process. Also, check the error logs in the event viewer for a clue.
Since the computer eventually works correctly, look for clues during that 10
minute problem window in the logs. Just some (hopefully) educated guesses on
where to start. Maybe another list member will have a more definitive
answer. I have not used Media Edition much but understand it is built upon
XP. Good Luck.

Jim Maki
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