You probably want a verbose start-up, so you can read what it's doing.

If the start-up TIME suddenly increased by quite a bit, then Windows is obviously running a check on something (which passes).

I think some of your ways to reduce time-lag are really clutching at straws. If you are in a busy time right now, maybe just put up with the startup time until things are quieter for you. There is nothing wrong with a 2-minute start per se; just get up a minute earlier in the morning, and thus allow for it.

When you have the time, back up EVERYTHING onto DVDs (no matter how many), and definitely copy and save all your Application Data (for you and for All Users) off the computer. You might want to make an image of your system and save that too.
— When everything is clear, and you have all your e-mail files and everything else you want SAVED off the box, then use Maxtor's PowerMax to do a low-level format of your disk. You can do that with a DVD or a floppy. It can take hours.

PowerMax is free on the web, or use your Hiren's Boot CD.

When that is finished, you are given a guarantee that your disk is in factory-new condition. (That was the criteria test used for warranties.) Windows can't do such an intensive format as that.

Then use your Windows disk to set up several new partitions and to install your XP clean and new. Take a week or a month to set things up the way you like them. (Your APPDATA that you saved will give you back all your program settings, and of course if you copy back your entire Firefox directory as well as Mozilla in your AppData, you get Firefox back exactly as it was. Same thing with K-Meleon.)

Now you won't have to look for teensy differences in switching some of those settings off. You'll have a brand new computer.

XP installs last maybe one year. Oh, they can go for MUCH, much longer, but then you get these "things are working pretty slowly" complaints. Not only that, but the user is not likely to realize just how slow his system is—until he sets it up squeeky-clean and new again.

Good luck.i do it all but my computer is to slow to boot up