Where do I start... My laptop is a Compaq Presario 1200 (AMD-K6 473Mhz, 156MB ram, Win XP Pro SP1)  Only days ago the whole computer was running at its greatest potential (which we know isn't much) until I made the mistake of a Windows Update.  Sounded innocent at the time.  Just another one of those Recomended Updates for SP1.  It downloaded all its files and such and began the installaion process 3/4 of they way through it said 'testing final configuration' and just locked up for a good hour.  I couldn't restart/logoff/shutdown so I held in the power button to kill it.  Waited a few moments and rebooted... Hard drive, cdrom etc initiated and then the HD started making odd noises similar to a defrag with lag. 12 minutes of blank screen finally Windows loaded.  Once in everything RUNS FINE just the boot process takes a good 8-10 min now Help!-tried clean boot
-tried safe mode
-tried scandisk
-tried defrag
-tried virus scanning
What am I missing?Can you boot to safe mode and uninstall the update from Add/Remove Programs from the Control Panel?

Regards
PeteI did in fact try that.  I went so far as removing all updates made in the past three month because nothing seemed to help.  FYI every update that was uninstalled forced me to restart windows.  And now I have gone back through windows update and replaced everything that was uninstalled. in the run box type msconfig and disabled some of the services if not all and also look in the start menu to see what is loading? tests you can try?Thanks for the idea!  Tried the diagnostic startup and then selective startup disabling all checks...  Forgot to mention I attempted windows recovery and magically of of the save points magically dissapeared.    The most confusing part of it all is that once up and running everything is fine... it's just the crazy booting.IM Still not getting any progress with the situation running out of options... sledge hammer hand twitching...Try re-installing windows.  and re-installing service pack one.  Uninstall your vius software FIRST.Windows XP repair installation guide:
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=138Absolutely Ingenious I shall try this as soon as I can get ahold of my windows disk.  Thanks for the help!!! (I just moved back stateside from europe and all my disks are packed with the rest of my goods) Unless any one can think of something that doesnt require my disk I shall still be at a loss. winxp loads 98 programs that why is so slow?try unticking these>Alerter
Clipbook
Computer Browser
Fast User Switching
Human Interface Access Devices
Indexing Service (Slows the hard drive down)
Messenger
Net Logon (unnecessary unless networked on a Domain)
Netmeeting Remote Desktop SHARING (disabled for extra security)
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager (disabled for extra security)
Remote Procedure Call Locator
Remote Registry (disabled for extra security)
Routing & Remote Access (disabled for extra security)
Server
SSDP Discovery Service ("Universal P'n'P", & leaves TCP Port 5000 wide open)
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Telnet (disabled for extra security)
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Upload Manager
Windows Time
Wireless Zero Configuration (for wireless networks)
Workstation
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winxp loads 98 programs that why is so slow?try unticking these>Alerter
Clipbook
Computer Browser
Fast User Switching
Human Interface Access Devices
Indexing Service (Slows the hard drive down)
Messenger
Net Logon (unnecessary unless networked on a Domain)
Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing (disabled for extra security)
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager (disabled for extra security)
Remote Procedure Call Locator
Remote Registry (disabled for extra security)
Routing & Remote Access (disabled for extra security)
Server
SSDP Discovery Service ("Universal P'n'P", & leaves TCP Port 5000 wide open)
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Telnet (disabled for extra security)
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Upload Manager
Windows Time
Wireless Zero Configuration (for wireless networks)
Workstation