Is it time for me to reformat my HD?

[Tousdae]

Twice this week after restarting my computer (usually after gaming) when the pc boots up and I try to open a program, nothing will happen. I try to open several and they won't open. My first thought was - virus. I have ran a malaware scan, my normal scan, Eset Online scanner and nothing comes up. Whenever I reboot a 2nd time I'm able to open programs. What would be the cause of this? Do I need to reformat?

TY

 

[Maguscreed]

Well the first thing I would try before reformatting is this
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
It's quick easy and painless and will check the windows core files for you.
If the issue is related to a registry entry or something to that effect it may not solve the problem.

Are you familiar with msconfg?
If so I would use selective startup to remove startup apps and see if any of them may be responsible for the interference. If you are unfamiliar with msconfig, anything in the startup tab is generally safe to play with DO NOT mess with services from this panel though. that is likely to do more harm than good.

If not this is windows 7 so repair install is also an option instead of doing a full reformat (especially handy if you have limited backup resources)
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

 

[Tousdae]

This is what I have as start up in msconfig - microsoft security, catalyst control center, HD audio cpl, real player, adobe reader, and quick time. How's that sound?

I will check into the link you left me in the morning. Thank you for your reply.

 

[marsmimar]

When you have programs that are slow to open or if your computer just feels slow and doesn't respond to commands like before, it could be something as simple as performing routine maintenance. These Microsoft articles and Seven Forums thread give some helpful suggestions:

Performance and maintenance - Help & How-to - Microsoft Windows

How to make your computer run faster: 6 tips to increase PC speed

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html?filter

FWIW, I find myself using these three built in utilities more often than the other suggested tweaks.
Disk cleanup (about once a month)
Defrag (about once a month)
Check disk (about once every 3 months)

These "schedules" are not written in stone and others may have different thoughts on how often to use them.

As far as what to have in msconfig startup, a lot of people just recommend your security suite, synaptics touchpad if you have a laptop, and maybe your desktop gadgets (if any.) All the rest will start if and when you need them.

 

[Tousdae]

I've noticed that if I don't keep Quick Time set to boot up, then when I need Quick Time it tells me that I have to download it.

Thanks for your help too. Handy links.

 

[Maguscreed]

I use quicktime alternative as the real thing tends to give me problems in both firefox and chrome.