Interesting Windows XP boot problem...

[Rightwinger]

I recently had to do a repair install on my XP system - GOD that was a real pain, the install crapped out a few times. I think its because SP2 screwed up some stuff and it didnt want to "downgrade"

Anyhow, ever since then I've got a very unique issue...

When the system boots up and reaches the user logon screen the HD never stops, I logged into my account and I opened the task manager - the system starts using resources like crazy, the CPU starts cycling between 25 and 75 percent and the page file starts climbing all the way to a gig or so and then slowly comes down about 2MB a second until it reaches normal idle

The entire process takes about 10 minutes from intital XP welcome screen and when the system becomes stable.

Thoughts?

 

[WebDude]

Take a look at the specific processes that are running and using the cpu resources while this is happening (use the 'processes' tab in task manager). This might give you a clue as to what is going on.

 

[Cristatus]

Maybe a virus infected CD?

or you already have some spyware.

If this is a fresh install, it could also probably be some driver issues. Do you have all the latest drivers? If you do, it may be good or bad. If you do, you may want to downgrade one of them at a time, and see how it affects your PC. If you don't have the latest drivers, try upgrading to them, one by one (making sure you restart after every driver installation) so you know which driver it was that was causing the problem.

 

[Smilin]

There is a phenomenon where a group policy being pulled down to the system takes longer than expected and restarts/timesout before it finishes. I don't remember the fix I'm afraid, you'll have to talk to the MS perf or AD teams.

FYI, a repair install should NOT crap out. It doesn't pay any attention to service packs so it has no problems downgrading. You've got something else happening.