Try cleaning out your prefetch

 

C:WINDOWS/Prefetch

 

Delete everything in this folder, it will be slower a bit but the most used applications should return.

Where do I find the prefetch folder? What is the complete file path?

Ok go to start run and type C:WINDOWS/Prefetch

The command does not work for me.

Do you have windows installed on the c drive?

 

C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch is the file path, but will be different if you have windows installed on a differently name partition.

Windows is installed on the C drive because that is the only drive that I have. I used ATF cleaner to get rid of the windows temp files.

So do you not have a prefetch folder?

 

In the windows folder?

If I go to the windows folder, there is nothing called prefetch even if I have the hidden folder option turned on.

Hmmm thats wierd I thought it was a standard folder.

 

Have a look here a guy seems to be having similar symptoms to you:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/microsoft-support/windows-xp-support/22004-prefetch-folder-missing.html

If I follow this guy's link, what is the first thing that I should do?

Not 100% what the guys on about but try this

 

Start > Run > regedit

 

move to path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters
On the right side look for a key named: EnablePrefetcher
This decides if and how prefetch runs, here are the value and what they do:
0: Disable
1: Prefetch when an application runs
2: Prefetch on startup or bootup
3: Always Prefetch

 

See what it is and change to a setting depending on how much RAM you have.

The setting right now is on 3.

Hmmm you should have a prefetch folder then, the lack of the folder is likely to be why your noticing slower reaction times, will need to hae a further look at this.

Ok

Hey

Went looking around for the answer, there was something I said before but didn't quite understand:

 

I believe this is the answer:

 

http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-11184-0.html?forumID=47&threadID=168453&messageID=1719479

 

If your registry entries are correct then check to make sure that the Task Scheduler is enabled. The prefetch system needs Task Scheduler running. Do this:

Click Start
Click Run
Type "services.msc" (no quotes) and press Enter
Scroll down the services listing and find Task Scheduler.
Double-click on it and set the startup type to Automatic.
Click "Apply" then "OK" then close the window.

Reboot a couple of times and see if your folder fills up.