[jdm]

When I first purchased this computer, the Windows XP screen would last only 5 seconds upon booting (and then the desktop would quickly appear). However, now the XP screen lasts up to 5 minutes when booting, before the desktop is finally shown. Not sure why it's taking so much longer to boot nowadays.

[Cedar]

I've got a slow start-up too, so I'm enjoying this thread and hoping for answers that help Win2K.

[alnitak]

It sounds like you have a hard-disk problem, but you really haven't supplied enough information to enable us to diagnose. If I were you I would empty the recycle bin and defrag then check for malware using the tools others have suggested. You might like to find a benchmarking tool to check your hard disk performance. You haven't been into the BIOS and twiddled with things have you?

No disrespect jdm, but you might be better off asking a computer knowledgeable friend to take a look at it. I think we have reached the limit of what can be done over the net without going to IM, which I don't have the time to do.