Hello PCHF,
I was a little reluctant to disable all startup items, since I have heard this can cause instability. So, by process of elimination, I was able to pinpoint a couple of startup items that may have been causing the problem.

Computer seems to be running much better now. However, I have another strange issue.

Even though I have Firefox set as the default browser, IE7 still keeps trying to act as the default for most programs. Any idea what could be causing this? I have a feeling it could be a registry cleaner I stupidly used, since said registry cleaner also caused SpySweeper to suddenly show that it was expired.
Does that sound plausible? And, if so, how do I fix it?

Thanks PCHF.

cb

Just a friendly bump. Ouch

Anybody?

My appoligies Countryboy for no reply.

When using msconfig only stop processes like MSN,Yahoo messenger.Nero if you have it installed.Items like this software you installed.

Ok lets also check a few things,sorry a little slow I am eating my home made lamb curry.Must eat to keep my strength up.

Open command prompt and copy and paste in chkdsk /r and hit enter on your keyboard.If you get a message to cannot run now would you like to schedule then press Y on your keyboard and exit command prompt.Restart the computer and let chkdsk run.

Run these:

SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

If you have the install disk open command prompt and copy and paste in sfc /scannow and popin install disk and hit enter on your keyboard.

Ok you already used CCleaner.

Now in IE and FF addons can cause issues.Open IE and click tools/manage addons.You can disable all addons and as most are not needed you can leave them disabled,if some are required you could always re-enable were you need to.

CCleaner was or should of been instructed to you only to get rid of temp files or old unwanted programs,not run a reg edit/cleanup registry.

I realy do not understand how you did not receive the help you required.

Thanks for responding Jelly Bean.

Lamb curry, sounds good. Is that a new year celebration dish? Happy New Year BTW.

Just to be clear, I did not run the registry cleaner/edit within CCleaner. I accidentally ran a registry cleaner in a program called PC Tune Up. It is a program I purchased from Check Point (ZoneAlarm). The thing had installed itself as a start up item, and ran automatically during a reboot before I could stop it.

I have run chkdsk previously. I will run it again, and also the other things you advised.

Just a note, I only have the Dell Windows reinstallation disk. It is supposed to be the same as an original Windows disc (not just a recovery disk), but the last time I tried to run sfc/scannow, I had a problem. I discussed the problem right here on PCHF, but I can't seem to find the post. If I remember correctly, it scanned for a period of time, and then asked me to insert disk #2. There is no disk #2.

Thanks for your help Jelly Bean.

A system restore may help the registry changes?

Hey Happy New Year,lamb curry is just some thing I fancied eating not a typical celibration food.

Do you run Windows Defender?As this can play trouble with IE and a few other things.