Custom Shell Boots slowly

[Randymann]

I have an existing Windows XP R/T image that uses the Explorer Shell and
boots up in 15-20 seconds. I can also modify this image and add a RunOnce
component to allow my application to startup after boot competes. This still
boots in the same 15-20 seconds. So the application is good.

However, if I take this existing configuration and just replace the Explorer
shell with a Custom Shell it now takes 45-50 seconds. The custom shell is
simply a shell that starts my application or even just Notepad.exe.

There seems to be some kind of timeout thats occuring after the initial
15-20 seconds because the mouse cursor turns into the hour glass icon for a
while.

Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[Slobodan Brcin \(eMVP\)]

Hi Randymann,

How did you made "just replace Explorer" operation?
Also did you changed network configuration?

Regards,
Slobodan

 

[rjfant]

Hi Slobodan,

Thanks for the fast response.

1) How did you made "just replace Explorer" operation?

I took an existing configuration (based on the Windows-based Terminal
Professional Design Template and the output from running Target Analyzer
(TAP.EXE) for my DELL PC (made into a component) in Target Designer and
disabled the "Explorer Shell" component and added a "Custom Shell"
component. As you know every configuration must have at least one "Shell
Component". This "Custom Shell" can simply be a shell that starts
Notepad.exe (or any application) but it still is about 30 seconds slower
than one that uses the "Explorer Shell".

2) Also did you changed network configuration?
No changes were made to network config.

I hope this helps.

 

[KM]

Did you base your "Custom Shell" component on the "Shell prototype component"?

Also, any chance for you to use BootVis tool to analazy why the boot is slower?
Also, put /SOS switch in boot.ini.

--
Regards,
KM, BSquare Corp.


Hi Slobodan,

Thanks for the fast response.

1) How did you made "just replace Explorer" operation?

I took an existing configuration (based on the Windows-based Terminal Professional Design Template and the output from running Target Analyzer (TAP.EXE) for my DELL PC (made into a component) in Target Designer and disabled the "Explorer Shell" component and added a "Custom Shell" component. As you know every configuration must have at least one "Shell Component". This "Custom Shell" can simply be a shell that starts Notepad.exe (or any application) but it still is about 30 seconds slower than one that uses the "Explorer Shell".

2) Also did you changed network configuration?
No changes were made to network config.

I hope this helps.

 

[Kesavan]

Yes As KM said, you should try using bootviz tool.Thats the only way
by which you can check for the booting perf.Moreover, Makesure you
filter out unwanted components and keep only the dependencies so that
your image size is as minimum as possible.

Kesavan

 

[rjfant]

Siobodan,

1) So if you only disabled Explorer Shell, everything else is still there,
right?

YES. Everything else is still there. The only difference is the Shell.

2) Custom shell "notepad" should start imediately if your Explorer shell
was working from the moment it started. If you had problems with accessing
programs in explorer for 20-30 seconds then you might have DHCP problem.

I had no problems with Explorer shell. It boots up and displays the
Explorer shell in 15-20 seconds. Even if I add the starting on Notepad.exe
in Explorer shell it starts right up. As soon as I disable Explorer shell
and enable my Custom Shell I have a slow bootup (now 45-50 seconds).

I can assue you that DHCP or any type of Networking issue has nothing to
do with this problem. The only difference between the two embedded XP
images I'm dealing with is the SHELL component.

Regards,
Randymann

 

[rjfant]

KM, BSquare Corp.,

1) Did you base your "Custom Shell" component on the "Shell prototype
component"?
Absolutely.

2) Also, any chance for you to use BootVis tool to analazy why the boot is
slower?
I will try this and get back to you.

3) Also, put /SOS switch in boot.ini.
Will do.

Thanks,
Randymann

 

[rjfant]

KM,

I ran BootVis and it shows everyting in the log file fine when I boot into
the normal Windows XP
but when I boot into my Embedded XP configuration the log file has
everyting but the
boot activity (the graph is blank?).

Also, I out the /SOS switch in the boot.ini (and /baselvideo) but I didn't
see any driver text
flashing on the screen? Is this information available in some log file?

Thanks again,
Randymann

 

[KM]

Randymann,

You won't need basevideo switch in the boot.ini. (you can add /noguiboot if you like)
But addding /bootlog may be helpful.

A long time ago I tried BootVis on one of my XPe images and it worked fine (with boot activities).
I wonder if all the tool dependencies are in your image. Can you check it out with Dependency Walker? (especially using Profiling)

--
Regards,
KM, BSquare Corp.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KM,

I ran BootVis and it shows everyting in the log file fine when I boot into the normal Windows XP
but when I boot into my Embedded XP configuration the log file has everyting but the
boot activity (the graph is blank?).

Also, I out the /SOS switch in the boot.ini (and /baselvideo) but I didn't see any driver text
flashing on the screen? Is this information available in some log file?

Thanks again,
Randymann

 

[cmizerak]

Hi Randymann,

I know this is a longshot, since it's been quite a while since this post was last replied to... but I am experiencing the EXACT same symptoms. In fact, I even experimented with notepad.exe the same way. Any chance you found the answer to this puzzling dilema?

- Chris