I've had a problem with services.exe hanging up my machine for 2-3 minutes at a time. I tried all the remedies I could find but nothing cured it, except a complete format and OS reinstallation. I suspect some sort of virus but none of the tools detected anything unusual. Strange. All the more reason to have good backups of stuff you care about.

Hey thanks for all the help.
I have an E Machine
Windows XP
I have Norton Anti Virus and MS Anti Spyware.

I just downloaded a free scan called "Spyware Doctor" and it found like 512 "problems with my pc". Like 450 registry errors. But to repair them it's not free. Like $39.
If these will work I am OK with that, but also don't want to waste $39. if it's not too good.
I also saw this software called "STOP SIGN" that is $7. / month. with a $$$back guarantee....That says it scans removes and monitors and they have 24/7 tech support.

Most of these issues started when this WInFixer crap showed up on my PC. It can't uninstall, and always pops up when I change screens...I'm almost ready to order it so I can just find out who they are and kick their asses!!!

Download "Ad Aware" or "spybot" through download.com and it's all free and it should catch and delete everything for free. Give that a try and check back.

Brian - You're doing pretty much everything you can do to keep your machine in excellent running order but the XP systems do just slow down over time due to unavoidable errors and there isn't anything you can do about it.

Yes, do download spybot and adaware. Run the indepth scan too.

This may be kinda tricky, and I only reccomend it if you know what you are doing. Go to start then click run. Trype msconfig then go to the services tab. Check the "hide microsoft serices box." Then uncheck the ones that you cannot identify. Then go to startup, and uncheck the ones there that you don't know what they do. Just be careful, as this could disable some programs, such as antivirus and antispy software.

FWIW; I ordered Stop Sign from EAccelerate and it cleaned up everyting. Itis $7. per month, but worth it.

...........so.......I presume that the errors are in the registry, correct?

None of the registry cleaners.........PC Mechanic.....as an example........can help with cleaning it up........I'm stuck with a reinstallation???:confused:

It's just unbelievable that XP can't be "fixed" by some type of program with the knowledge of the problem.

Once your PC is exactly how you want it, pick up a copy of Norton Ghost or PowerQuest Drive Image (I use Drive Image myself) and create a ghost image. It's saved my a$$ dozens of times with a 20-minute complete restore.

The errors are in the registry. The registry is like a manuscript going to the publisher by the time it's been edited 300 times with red pen and paragraphs are crossed out sure it's clean but it doesn't read well. :rolleyes:

Curtis.......any idea if "registry mechanic" or similar ilk can improve this situation?? I'm tempted to try it.

When my machine gets too slow I prefer to format the disk instead of screwing around with all that crap and pay for them to fix it. I have all my stuff on one of the partitions of my 200 GB drive, back it up and flush the disk. Yes, we used to use Regclean but they took it off. It does give some relief but you also have other issues. Sometimes it would take off stuff that was necessary. Windows Office suites of all things and you would have to reinstall software. Finally, I found it was easier to flush the entire thing than to band-aid the thing. Also when you flush, you have a new hard drive that is formatted and free of some of those pesky programs that are still hanging around lurking. Sometimes you can use Codestuff Starter to see what is being activated on your machine. Also use your task manager to see how close to the edge you are running as far as resources.

another possible solution...System restore
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

I attempted this. The longest point for a restore is 90 days ago. When I attempted to use the 90 day date, the restore failed. I also failed on two subsequent dates.......closer to the current date.

Yeah, that thing doesn't work worth a crap. You should turn it off completely and delete the files if you start ghosting.

If you want your PC to run the way it should I reccommend this...

http://eacceleration.com/helpdesk/

30 day money back guarantee; $7. per month/ and a responsive 800# for tech support

Try the MS HelpDesk