The LONGEST time to reboot...

[shempmcgurk]

Whenever I turn my computer off and then turn it on again, it takes no
less than 10 minutes to reboot...by that I mean the CPU still
continues to make that cracklin' noise that indicates it is doing
"something". And until that sound stops, everything works slowly (but
it does work).

My question: is this normal? Should it take so long to reboot (the
system is an HP Pavilion).

If this isn't normal, what can I do to make the rebooting process
speed up?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

What are the specifications of the computer?

There are probably programs starting up when the computer is first
turned on.
Disable from starting up any programs you need but do not need running
all the time.
Uninstall any programs you do not need.

Check for viruses and spyware.

 

[shempmcgurk]

What are the specifications of the computer?

I don't know.

How can I find out so I can tell you?

There are probably programs starting up when the computer is first
turned on.
Disable from starting up any programs you need but do not need running
all the time.

How do I do that?

Uninstall any programs you do not need.

I've already done that to several but will do more if I have to...

Check for viruses and spyware.

Yes, I am doing that.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The documentation that came with the computer should tell you.
Right click My Computer and click Properties will tell you some.
Some tools such as Everest give system details.

Running programs, hover your mouse over each icon in the Notification
area by the clock.
Open any unnecessary programs.
Look for something similar to "Run at start", "Load at boot" etc.
Normally there is a check in a box that has to be removed, but all
programs are different.

Make sure you spyware and virus tools have been updated in the last
few days.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org

 

[John]

By the way the 'cracklin' noise as you put it, is not coming from your
CPU. It's your hard drive that makes that noise.

John.

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

Whenever I turn my computer off and then turn it on again, it takes no

less than 10 minutes to reboot...by that I mean the CPU still
continues to make that cracklin' noise that indicates it is doing
"something". And until that sound stops, everything works slowly (but
it does work).

My question: is this normal? Should it take so long to reboot (the
system is an HP Pavilion).

If this isn't normal, what can I do to make the rebooting process
speed up?

No, this is not normal but there's hope. There are options that can be
set to give you a more, how shall we put it, "pleasant" and quick
shutdown as compared to what it is you're experiencing.

Here are couple of tweaks to make shutdown faster. You have
to be comfortable with editing the registry a bit to make the
following tips work. These tweaks are not going to trash your system
and are reversible. Grab a pen and paper to write down your settings
as you go.


Here goes:

Go to Start > Run and enter REGEDIT and press OK. This fires up the
registry editor.

Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop. Edit the
following keys:

1) AutoEndTasks: Default is 0, make it 1

2) ForegroundLockTimeout: Default is 20000, make it 0

3) HungAppTimeoutefault is 5000, try 500. I don't suggest going any
lower as it could really make programs / services that need a moment
or two to end act...funny.

4) WaitToKillAppTimeout: Default is 20000, try 500. I don't suggest
going any lower as it could really make programs / services that need
a moment or two to end act...funny.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control

1) WaitToKillServiceTimeout: Default is 20000, try 2000. I don't use
this setting personally and it's questionable whether XP supports it
or not. Some say it helps, some say no difference.

When you finish #'s 1-4 above, reboot. After reboot, log into XP and
then do another shutdown and see how long it takes.

If some of the keys above don't exist, just create them using the
right mouse button.

#1 is a String Value
#2 is DWORD value
#3 is a String value
#4 is a String value

Good luck.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[shempmcgurk]

The documentation that came with the computer should tell you.
Right click My Computer and click Properties will tell you some.
Some tools such as Everest give system details.

Microsoft Windows XP, Home Edition, Version 2002, Service Pack 2;
Computer: Intel Pentium III processor, 605 MHz, 192 MB of RAM.

 

[shempmcgurk]

By the way the 'cracklin' noise as you put it, is not coming from your
CPU. It's your hard drive that makes that noise.

....not an "uncool" sound, but it actually went on for about 1/2 and
hour after I rebooted. But when I put it on sleep mode before I went
to bed and then went back to regular mode this morning, the cracklin'
only went on for a normal period of time, about 25 seconds.

 

[Paul Pedersen]

Computer: Intel Pentium III processor, 605 MHz, 192 MB of RAM.

There's your problem.

Ten years ago, that would have been a moderately fast computer. Nowadays,
I'd call it unusable.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

That is what I expected and tells a lot.

Your processor speed "605 MHz":
OK, I have run windows XP successfully with less.
1 GHz would be good, but processor upgrades are often impractical or
impossible on the same motherboard.

Memory 192 MB:
Very inadequate for most everyone.
Microsoft says 64 MB minimum with 128 MB recommended.
However for all but a very few, those are inadequate.
Adding 512 MB would probably help a lot.
However it is possible toy motherboard can not handle that much.
256 MB max would not be uncommon for an older motherboard.
My guess is a max of 512 MB or 768 MB.
Check your motherboard manual or contact the manufacturer for details.
Also www.crucial.com can sell reliable memory after determining
exactly what type and how much RAM you can use.
Use the Crucial Memory Advisor or Crucial Memory Scanner, I prefer the
advisor.

 

[HeyBub]

...not an "uncool" sound, but it actually went on for about 1/2 and
hour after I rebooted. But when I put it on sleep mode before I went
to bed and then went back to regular mode this morning, the cracklin'
only went on for a normal period of time, about 25 seconds.

The normal length of time for the "cracklin'" sound is zero milliseconds.

I'd do a backup.