Rookie (first time) poster here....be kind
My avast! Home edition had also recently changed to a longer startup time. My configuration: win98, AVG Free, Outpost f/w and RegProtect all started along with avast! at boot. Initial time required: 30 seconds. This boot time increased to 2:30 with no changes to my system except regular updates to AVG, OP and avast!.
I have had two emails with viruses attached sitting in a "safe" folder (NOT quarentined) for some time now. Never opened, never executed. They were being noted in a temp file regularly generated by avast!. I deleted the infected emails and emptied the (Netscape) trash.
Reboot, and MY boot time is back to "normal".
I have NO idea if this will assist others in their quest to resolve their boot/startup problems.....but nothing ventured, nothing gained
Thanks for providing a free AV for home users.
Cheers, tomZ