I have a computer with lots of memory, fast processor, and large hard drive running Windows XP Pro. It is networked with several other computers.
It takes at least 30 seconds to respond to the "my computer" command.
Any suggestions for troubleshooting or fixing? Thanks

Do the following maintenance

Defrag your hard drive.

Go to Start->Run... and type or paste "Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks". This will start a built in optimization routine that runs in the System Idle Process and shows up as "rundll32.exe" in task manager. It normally runs automatically every 3 days. It will run for 15 minutes to half an hour, so don't try to do anything too intensive while its running.

Delete anything that you don't need in the Start->Programs->Startup folder, and in the Registry under HKLM->Software->Microsoft->Windows->Run and HKCU->Software->Microsoft->Windows->Run.

Ben:

Thank you for your answer. In the interim I used msconfig and deleted all items in the startup. The problem went away. Oddly enough, after putting back each item, one at a time and restarting after each item, the problem did not surface again. I have defragged the system, but your suggestion intrigues me. I will use your fix, as belt and suspenders.

The hardest part of fixing this problem is, when searching for and answer, "My Computer" is always read by the search engine as my computer. Windows should change the terminology. It would help.

Thanks again,

Vince

Hmmm Now unless you're 100% sure what you are doing in the registry DON'T touch it as you can do more harm than good.

Here's my usual C&P for cases like this:


When was the last time you did some serious maintenance on your system ?

System maintenance includes:
Defrag
FULL patching
Virus scanning
Spyware scanning
removal of rubish files

Defrag is an inbuilt function in XP.
Open My Computer > Right click C: > Tools Tab and its there.

To make sure everything is running fine run both anti virus and anti spyware apps in normal AND safe modes. (make sure that they are updated first ! ;)) (AVG (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1) is good and free AV)
(A couple of good removal tools are Spybot (http://www.safer-networking.org/) and Adaware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/))

ALso an on line virus and spyware scanner is Trend Housecall (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/)

Just a note: actively running two AV's on one machine can cause problems.
So if you are thinking about it make sure your current one is disabled first.
Same thing applies to online scanners as well.

Removal of junk files is easy with CCleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com) a free app that does exactly what

If all this fails then a repair install may be in order:

Here's (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx) the official Micro$oft way of doing it,
and Here's (http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=138) one with screen shots.

Basically this installs windows over the top of your current setup.
So you don't loose any information you already have.

This lot should resolve your issue.

It's possible that you have some mapped drives that are offline or have been renamed. Opening My Computer makes the system try to connect to those faulty maps until it times out.

Thanks for all the information. Actually, all that has been done. I have 10 PC's in my care, and am constantly trying to stay on top of maintenance. I will try the cc cleaner app as CurlyBen suggested. I've always been hesitent to try this type of app, as they can sometimes cause more havoc than they fix, but I like it when I get a recommendation for this type of thing.

I use CC on all my machines (50+) servers (10) included and have NEVER had a problem with it.

i use CC on all my machines (50+) servers (10) included and have NEVER had a problem with it.
What is CC? Never heard of it before...

EDIT: Never mind :cool: