Re: Problem with slower startup of XP windows SP3

Gerry,
unfortunately I still have problem with slower starting up of windows. I
really do not know what is wrong. I do not have time any more to investigate
all the time and also do not have time to format all disc and intall complete
system once more (it can take one week to install also all other needed
applications). I am working at home, so this is really some kind a pain in
the ass for me. I can live the computer turned on all the time to avoid this,
but this solution, I suppose is not so good an idea and not always possible.
Besides, I have returned the oldest (last from 19.3.09) registry file from
backup list, and without any special success. Incredibly for me is that
sometimes works without problem, and then again with troubles...(if problem
is in registry, them EACH start up have the same effect, I suppose??).
Computer is scaned a lot of times with Panda, Superspyware (they works
correctly and are updated of course),... I alreay have some instructions from
others and I used, check them... of course.

Can you or someone else help me with short and clear instructions?

There are some details as Gerry asked:

CPU www.abit.com.tw/ NF7-S/NF7-M/NF7 (nVidia-nForce2) 1.X
512 Megabytes Installed Memory
80,02 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
50,28 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space
c: 21,13 GB (6,17 GB free)
d: 58,89 GB (44,10 GB free)
NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X

Task Manager – Performance - Commit Charge:
Total 407664
Limit 407664
Peak 407664

Below is also (see START...END!) the order of massages in Event viewer just
for 30.4.09, in order to show you behaviour of coputer. The computer was
turned on and then twice restarted, all today (so 3 starts up) !

START:

Event Type: Information
Event Source: IJPLMSVC
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 9:39:38
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The service is started.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: Panda Software Controller
Event Category: None
Event ID: 0
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 9:39:39
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The description for Event ID ( 0 ) in Source ( Panda Software Controller )
cannot be found. The local computer may not have the necessary registry
information or message DLL files to display messages from a remote computer.
You may be able to use the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see
Help and Support for details. The following information is part of the event:
Service started.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 4000
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 9:39:52
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The Panda Anti-virus Service has started successfully.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: SecurityCenter
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1800
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 9:39:53
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The Windows Security Center Service has started.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 64192
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 9:39:53
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
Unexpected failure scanning file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\RPCSS.DLL.

If the problem persists, please contact with support.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 4000
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 9:48:43
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The Panda Anti-virus Service has started successfully.

Event Type: Warning
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 4005
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 9:48:43
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
Panda Anti-Virus Service was unable to start goodware chache functionality.

The absence of this optimization functionality will not affect to normal
anti-malware protection.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: iPod Service
Event Category: None
Event ID: 0
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 9:48:50
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The description for Event ID ( 0 ) in Source ( iPod Service ) cannot be
found. The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or
message DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able
to use the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and
Support for details. The following information is part of the event: Service
started.

Event Type: Warning
Event Source: Userenv
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1524
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 10:57:28
User: DEAN-ATHLONFX\DEAN
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
Windows cannot unload your classes registry file - it is still in use by
other applications or services. The file will be unloaded when it is no
longer in use.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: IJPLMSVC
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 10:58:19
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The service is started.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: Panda Software Controller
Event Category: None
Event ID: 0
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 10:58:20
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The description for Event ID ( 0 ) in Source ( Panda Software Controller )
cannot be found. The local computer may not have the necessary registry
information or message DLL files to display messages from a remote computer.
You may be able to use the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see
Help and Support for details. The following information is part of the event:
Service started.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: SecurityCenter
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1800
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 10:58:29
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The Windows Security Center Service has started.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 4000
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 10:58:35
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The Panda Anti-virus Service has started successfully.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 64192
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 10:58:38
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
Unexpected failure scanning file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\URLMON.DLL.

If the problem persists, please contact with support.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 64192
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 10:58:38
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
Unexpected failure scanning file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\NETSHELL.DLL.

If the problem persists, please contact with support.

Event Type: Warning
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 4009
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:04:17
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
Task of gooodware feed up had failed.

This is a transient failure but it could affect to anti-malware performance
at long time.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: (100)
Event ID: 1000
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:12:16
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
Faulting application AVENGINE.EXE, version 2.2.20.0, faulting module
ntdll.dll, version 5.1.2600.5755, fault address 0x00010a19.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 41 56 45 ure AVE
0018: 4e 47 49 4e 45 2e 45 58 NGINE.EX
0020: 45 20 32 2e 32 2e 32 30 E 2.2.20
0028: 2e 30 20 69 6e 20 6e 74 .0 in nt
0030: 64 6c 6c 2e 64 6c 6c 20 dll.dll
0038: 35 2e 31 2e 32 36 30 30 5.1.2600
0040: 2e 35 37 35 35 20 61 74 .5755 at
0048: 20 6f 66 66 73 65 74 20 offset
0050: 30 30 30 31 30 61 31 39 00010a19

Event Type: Error
Event Source: ESENT
Event Category: General
Event ID: 489
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:12:29
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
wuauclt (4036) An attempt to open the file
"C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\edb.log" for read only access
failed with system error 32 (0x00000020): "The process cannot access the file
because it is being used by another process. ". The open file operation will
fail with error -1032 (0xfffffbf8).

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 4001
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:13:19
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
Unexpected failure during Anti-virus On-Access Scan Engine initialization.
The AvRtlInitializeAnalyzer API failed unrecoverably (Error Status was
20000000).

This may be because a needed image file is missing or corrupt.
The Panda Anti-virus Service failed to initialize properly.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: nview_info
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:13:44
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The description for Event ID ( 1 ) in Source ( nview_info ) cannot be found.
The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message
DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able to use
the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and Support for
details. The following information is part of the event: NVIEW : OASP:
WAIT_TIMEOUT, while waiting for a read to clear - resetting read event
..
Event Type: Error
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 4001
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:14:20
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
Unexpected failure during Anti-virus On-Access Scan Engine initialization.
The AvRtlInitializeAnalyzer API failed unrecoverably (Error Status was
20000000).

This may be because a needed image file is missing or corrupt.
The Panda Anti-virus Service failed to initialize properly.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 4001
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:15:25
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
Unexpected failure during Anti-virus On-Access Scan Engine initialization.
The AvRtlInitializeAnalyzer API failed unrecoverably (Error Status was
20000000).

This may be because a needed image file is missing or corrupt.
The Panda Anti-virus Service failed to initialize properly.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 4001
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:16:31
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
Unexpected failure during Anti-virus On-Access Scan Engine initialization.
The AvRtlInitializeAnalyzer API failed unrecoverably (Error Status was
200005b4).

This may be because a needed image file is missing or corrupt.
The Panda Anti-virus Service failed to initialize properly.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: nview_info
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:17:29
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The description for Event ID ( 1 ) in Source ( nview_info ) cannot be found.
The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message
DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able to use
the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and Support for
details. The following information is part of the event: NVIEW : dwwin:
WAIT_TIMEOUT: (process 0xed0) (thread 0xe80) (wait 0x1) (pwait 0x1)
..
Event Type: Error
Event Source: nview_info
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:17:35
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The description for Event ID ( 1 ) in Source ( nview_info ) cannot be found.
The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message
DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able to use
the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and Support for
details. The following information is part of the event: NVIEW : dwwin:
WAIT_TIMEOUT, LAST SUCCESS: (tid: 0x82c) (pid: 0xbe0)
..
Event Type: Error
Event Source: nview_info
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:17:35
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The description for Event ID ( 1 ) in Source ( nview_info ) cannot be found.
The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message
DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able to use
the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and Support for
details. The following information is part of the event: NVIEW : dwwin:
WAIT_TIMEOUT, LAST SUCCESS: (thread 0x82c) (cmdName:dwwin.exe)
WindowManager.cpp 3329
..
Event Type: Error
Event Source: nview_info
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:17:35
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The description for Event ID ( 1 ) in Source ( nview_info ) cannot be found.
The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message
DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able to use
the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and Support for
details. The following information is part of the event: NVIEW : dwwin:
Mutex Recovery Code - after 5 seconds, mutex still stuck. NView (and Mutexes)
are now disabled.
..
Event Type: Error
Event Source: nview_info
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:17:35
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The description for Event ID ( 1 ) in Source ( nview_info ) cannot be found.
The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message
DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able to use
the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and Support for
details. The following information is part of the event: NVIEW : dwwin:
Mutex Recovery Code - app released the mutex - back to normal operation.
..
Event Type: Error
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 4001
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:17:36
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
Unexpected failure during Anti-virus On-Access Scan Engine initialization.
The AvRtlInitializeAnalyzer API failed unrecoverably (Error Status was
200005b4).

This may be because a needed image file is missing or corrupt.
The Panda Anti-virus Service failed to initialize properly.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: nview_info
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:17:36
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The description for Event ID ( 1 ) in Source ( nview_info ) cannot be found.
The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message
DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able to use
the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and Support for
details. The following information is part of the event: NVIEW : Explorer:
Mutex Recovery on THREAD_DETACH! - Info:PID:be0, TID:d4c,
Name:C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE - NView (and Mutexes) are now enabled again.
..
Event Type: Warning
Event Source: Userenv
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1524
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:48:48
User: DEAN-ATHLONFX\DEAN
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
Windows cannot unload your classes registry file - it is still in use by
other applications or services. The file will be unloaded when it is no
longer in use.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: IJPLMSVC
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:50:04
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The service is started.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: Panda Software Controller
Event Category: None
Event ID: 0
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:50:05
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The description for Event ID ( 0 ) in Source ( Panda Software Controller )
cannot be found. The local computer may not have the necessary registry
information or message DLL files to display messages from a remote computer.
You may be able to use the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see
Help and Support for details. The following information is part of the event:
Service started.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: SecurityCenter
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1800
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:50:13
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The Windows Security Center Service has started.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: Sentinel
Event Category: None
Event ID: 4000
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:50:18
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The Panda Anti-virus Service has started successfully.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: iPod Service
Event Category: None
Event ID: 0
Date: 30.4.2009
Time: 11:50:35
User: N/A
Computer: DEAN-ATHLONFX
Description:
The description for Event ID ( 0 ) in Source ( iPod Service ) cannot be
found. The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or
message DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able
to use the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and
Support for details. The following information is part of the event: Service
started.

END.



Thanks a lot for any useful advice!

Regards, Dean









"Gerry" wrote:

Dean

Only if you think you still have a problem.

--


Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Dean wrote:
Gerry,

yes, it is much easier when I use button of resembling two pages. I
can copy these windows into body of the message (email), but the
content (explanation text) is the same, so there is no sence to do
that. The explanation text is already posted.

I must say that computer works ok now. I eliminated all trojans and
spyware (I considered Shenans instructions). So providing you all
these items e.g. Task manager, Under Commit Charge, disk,..., should
not be needed any more for analysis, I suppose.

Regards, Dean




"Gerry" wrote:

Dean

Many Event Viewer reports are difficult to interpret Posting
incomplete Event Viewer reports renders interpretation infinitely
more difficult.

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and
double click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which
appears is a button resembling two pages. Click the button and close
Event Viewer.Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the
body of the message. Make sure this is the first paste after exiting
from
Event Viewer.

Please repost these:

>The Terminal Services service hung on starting.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

The Fast User Switching Compatibility service depends on the
Terminal Services service which failed to start because of the
following error: After starting, the service hung in a
start-pending state.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

The Terminal Services service entered the running state.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

What is the CPU and how much RAM does your computer have? Right
click on the My Computer icon on your Desktop and select Properties
to get this information.

Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task Manager and click the Performance
Tab. Under Commit Charge what is the Total, the Limit and the Peak?

How large is your hard drive and how much free disk space?


--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




"Dean" <Dean@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:B4085655-516F-4340-9793-8399A5B74D6A@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi,

Thanks for your instructions, notes and fast respond, but may I
suggest and
send report of event viewer below first in order to eliminate as
much as possible possible causes mentioned in your e-mail. I just
would like to find
out the main exact cause for this problem. If this still is not
helpful enough, then I will try first to recover registry backup
of course (all registy backups are saved!). I must say also, I have
expireices that it is not recomended to make so many edjustments
and tests on sistem, specially because I am not the expert!!!

Extract of report with main messages of mistakes:

"Event Viewer in windows:

System
(Source: Service Control Manager):

The Terminal Services service hung on starting.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

The Fast User Switching Compatibility service depends on the
Terminal Services service which failed to start because of the
following error: After starting, the service hung in a
start-pending state.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

The Terminal Services service entered the running state.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

The Panda On-Access Anti-Malware Service service was successfully
sent a stop control.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/ev

Timeout (30000 milliseconds) waiting for the Application Layer
Gateway Service service to connect.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.a

The Application Layer Gateway Service service failed to start due
to the following error:
The service did not respond to the start or control request in a
timely fashion.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Timeout (30000 milliseconds) waiting for a transaction response
from the NVSvc service.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Timeout (30000 milliseconds) waiting for a transaction response
from the Panda Software Controller service.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

...and also:

Application
(Source: Sentinel):

Unexpected failure scanning file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WINSPOOL.DRV.
If the problem persists, please contact with support.

Note: the list of massages represents the exact timer order."

Thanks and Regards,
Dean


"Shenan Stanley" wrote:

Dean wrote:
I have problem with start up when turn on the computer. The start
up sometimes works much slower than before, e.g. a couple days
ago. It takes even up to 10 min to finish, BUT sometimes works
without problem. This is for me unusual and without any logic.
What is wrong?

I did several tasks to eliminate this, but uselless. I did as
follows: - scaning all computer with Panda AV Pro 2009 and also
with Panda Activescan
2.0 several times,
- defragmentation of c with windows tool,
- scaning with ccleaner - erase all unneeded files (cca 800MB) and
cleaning the register.

As far as I know, the ccleaner tool is tested tool, perfect for
home users and without any problems.

Any advice would be very appreciated!

Don't clean the registry unless you know what you are doing.
(register vs. registry - incorrect vs. correct name - tells me you
did not.)

Did you save the 'backup' it asked you to before cleaning it? I
suggest putting that backup back in (find the file, double-click -
merge it back in.) CCleaner is generally harmless - but why take
the chance?

Try the following:

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan
(separately) with the
following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use
for this):

SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

After performing a full scan with one and then the other and
removing whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall
these products,
if you wish.

Reboot.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemRoot%\system32\net stop wuauserv
--> Click OK.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemRoot%\system32\regsvr32 %SystemRoot%\system32\wups2.dll
--> Click OK.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemRoot%\system32\net start wuauserv
--> Click OK.

Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here
(x86): http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
.... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it
to the root
of the C:\ drive, do the following:

Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.

(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree"
and click on
NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...

Reboot.

Download/Install the latest Windows Installer:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/details.aspx?familyid=5A58B56F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4&displaylang=en

Reboot.

Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet
Explorer and
visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a CUSTOM
scan...
(Every time you are about to click on something while at these web
pages -
first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You
can release the CTRL key after clicking each time.)

Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority
updates (deselect any others) and install it.

Reboot again.

If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than
3-5 at a time.

The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I
recommend against the "Windows Search" one. I would completely
avoid the Optional Hardware updates.

Visit your hardware manufacturer's web page (Have a Dell? Got to
Dell's Support web page - downloads and drivers and enter in your
machine's service
tag/serial number. Same for the other third-tier vendors like HP,
Lenovo,
Gateway, etc.) and get the latest hardware drivers for each
hardware component: motherboard chipset, video card, network
card(s), sound cards, etc.

Free up space:

If you are comfortable with the stability of your system, you can
delete the
uninstall files for the patches that Windows XP has installed...
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm
( Particularly of interest here - #4 )
( Alternative:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm )

You can run Disk Cleanup - built into Windows XP - to erase all
but your latest restore point and cleanup even more "loose files"..

How to use Disk Cleanup
.