Long boot up time for Windows PC

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sid B
  • Start date Start date
S

Sid B

Hi,

I'm having problems with my home computer which takes too long to boot
up. The problem is *MOST* likely not related to Windows itself
because:

- it takes too long for the Windows loading screen to show, but not
that long for Windows to load up fully (see video)
- within the BIOS, pressing the arrow keys to move the cursor still
takes a long time to refresh the screen (approximately 5-8 seconds for
it to refresh the view) which is HIGHLY abnormal for any PC.

Interesting points in the video (link:
):
0:36 mins - Start of booting process
8:00 mins - Start of Windows loading
9:45 mins - Windows restores full control

7 minutes and 24 seconds is just too long for any Windows PC to boot
up, let alone a 2.4GHz PC... The point of uploading the video is to
indicate that it is clearly not a Windows problem. Secondly, there is
a small white arrow-like mark which appears two inches from the bottom
left corner of the screen during the long wait... not sure why that
happens.

The systeminfo dump is listed below. If anyone requires any more
information about the machine, lemme know... Suggestions on how to
tackle this are most welcome! :)

Thanks,
Sid
--------------------------------------------------------------------------


Host Name: HOMEPC
OS Name: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Version: 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation
OS Configuration: Standalone Workstation
OS Build Type: Uniprocessor Free
Registered Owner: XYZ
Registered Organization:
Product ID: ABC87-015-6614846-22DEF
Original Install Date: 10/13/2005, 6:06:43 PM
System Up Time: 0 Days, 2 Hours, 21 Minutes, 26 Seconds
System Manufacturer: INTEL_
System Model: D845GVS1
System type: X86-based PC
Processor(s): 1 Processor(s) Installed.
[01]: x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 3
GenuineIntel ~2400 Mhz
BIOS Version: INTEL - 20040216
Windows Directory: C:\WINDOWS
System Directory: C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device: \Device\HarddiskVolume1
System Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Input Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Time Zone: (GMT+05:30) Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, New
Delhi
Total Physical Memory: 254 MB
Available Physical Memory: 62 MB
Virtual Memory: Max Size: 2,048 MB
Virtual Memory: Available: 2,002 MB
Virtual Memory: In Use: 46 MB
Page File Location(s): C:\pagefile.sys
Domain: MSHOME
Logon Server: \\HOMEPC
Hotfix(s): 224 Hotfix(s) Installed.
***LIST REMOVED***

NetWork Card(s): 2 NIC(s) Installed.
[01]: ZyXEL USB ADSL Modem (RFC1483 Mode)
Connection Name: Local Area
Connection 2
[02]: NETGEAR WG311v2 802.11g Wireless PCI
Adapter
Connection Name: Wireless Network
Connection
DHCP Enabled: Yes
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
IP address(es)
[01]: 192.168.1.38
 
What happens if you start it in 'safe' mode Sid?

Regards,
John.

Sid said:
Hi,

I'm having problems with my home computer which takes too long to boot
up. The problem is *MOST* likely not related to Windows itself
because:

- it takes too long for the Windows loading screen to show, but not
that long for Windows to load up fully (see video)
- within the BIOS, pressing the arrow keys to move the cursor still
takes a long time to refresh the screen (approximately 5-8 seconds for
it to refresh the view) which is HIGHLY abnormal for any PC.

Interesting points in the video (link:
):
0:36 mins - Start of booting process
8:00 mins - Start of Windows loading
9:45 mins - Windows restores full control

7 minutes and 24 seconds is just too long for any Windows PC to boot
up, let alone a 2.4GHz PC... The point of uploading the video is to
indicate that it is clearly not a Windows problem. Secondly, there is
a small white arrow-like mark which appears two inches from the bottom
left corner of the screen during the long wait... not sure why that
happens.

The systeminfo dump is listed below. If anyone requires any more
information about the machine, lemme know... Suggestions on how to
tackle this are most welcome! :)

Thanks,
Sid
--------------------------------------------------------------------------


Host Name: HOMEPC
OS Name: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Version: 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation
OS Configuration: Standalone Workstation
OS Build Type: Uniprocessor Free
Registered Owner: XYZ
Registered Organization:
Product ID: ABC87-015-6614846-22DEF
Original Install Date: 10/13/2005, 6:06:43 PM
System Up Time: 0 Days, 2 Hours, 21 Minutes, 26 Seconds
System Manufacturer: INTEL_
System Model: D845GVS1
System type: X86-based PC
Processor(s): 1 Processor(s) Installed.
[01]: x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 3
GenuineIntel ~2400 Mhz
BIOS Version: INTEL - 20040216
Windows Directory: C:\WINDOWS
System Directory: C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device: \Device\HarddiskVolume1
System Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Input Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Time Zone: (GMT+05:30) Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, New
Delhi
Total Physical Memory: 254 MB
Available Physical Memory: 62 MB
Virtual Memory: Max Size: 2,048 MB
Virtual Memory: Available: 2,002 MB
Virtual Memory: In Use: 46 MB
Page File Location(s): C:\pagefile.sys
Domain: MSHOME
Logon Server: \\HOMEPC
Hotfix(s): 224 Hotfix(s) Installed.
***LIST REMOVED***

NetWork Card(s): 2 NIC(s) Installed.
[01]: ZyXEL USB ADSL Modem (RFC1483 Mode)
Connection Name: Local Area
Connection 2
[02]: NETGEAR WG311v2 802.11g Wireless PCI
Adapter
Connection Name: Wireless Network
Connection
DHCP Enabled: Yes
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
IP address(es)
[01]: 192.168.1.38
Click to expand...
 
Hi John,

Its hard to boot into safe mode, because the PC never prompts me with
a "Windows is starting up" (or equivalent) screen... And if I do press
the F8 key periodically during the 8 minute wait, it gives me an
"Input error" of some sort and asks me to press CTRL+ALT+DEL (no way
to escape this).

I discovered something interesting while doing this... The machine
reboots quickly if I RESTART it while booted into Windows... but if I
shut it down for 2-3 mins, and then try restarting, it takes the
regular 8 minutes...

Does that help localize where the problem might be?

Thanks!
Sid

What happens if you start it in 'safe' mode Sid?

Regards,
John.

Sid said:
Hi,
Click to expand...
I'm having problems with my home computer which takes too long to boot
up. The problem is *MOST* likely not related to Windows itself
because:
Click to expand...
- it takes too long for the Windows loading screen to show, but not
that long for Windows to load up fully (see video)
- within the BIOS, pressing the arrow keys to move the cursor still
takes a long time to refresh the screen (approximately 5-8 seconds for
it to refresh the view) which is HIGHLY abnormal for any PC.
Click to expand...
Interesting points in the video (link:
):
0:36 mins - Start of booting process
8:00 mins - Start of Windows loading
9:45 mins - Windows restores full control
Click to expand...
7 minutes and 24 seconds is just too long for any Windows PC to boot
up, let alone a 2.4GHz PC... The point of uploading the video is to
indicate that it is clearly not a Windows problem. Secondly, there is
a small white arrow-like mark which appears two inches from the bottom
left corner of the screen during the long wait... not sure why that
happens.
Click to expand...
The systeminfo dump is listed below. If anyone requires any more
information about the machine, lemme know... Suggestions on how to
tackle this are most welcome! :)
Thanks,
Sid
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click to expand...

Host Name: HOMEPC
OS Name: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Version: 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation
OS Configuration: Standalone Workstation
OS Build Type: Uniprocessor Free
Registered Owner: XYZ
Registered Organization:
Product ID: ABC87-015-6614846-22DEF
Original Install Date: 10/13/2005, 6:06:43 PM
System Up Time: 0 Days, 2 Hours, 21 Minutes, 26 Seconds
System Manufacturer: INTEL_
System Model: D845GVS1
System type: X86-based PC
Processor(s): 1 Processor(s) Installed.
[01]: x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 3
GenuineIntel ~2400 Mhz
BIOS Version: INTEL - 20040216
Windows Directory: C:\WINDOWS
System Directory: C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device: \Device\HarddiskVolume1
System Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Input Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Time Zone: (GMT+05:30) Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, New
Delhi
Total Physical Memory: 254 MB
Available Physical Memory: 62 MB
Virtual Memory: Max Size: 2,048 MB
Virtual Memory: Available: 2,002 MB
Virtual Memory: In Use: 46 MB
Page File Location(s): C:\pagefile.sys
Domain: MSHOME
Logon Server: \\HOMEPC
Hotfix(s): 224 Hotfix(s) Installed.
***LIST REMOVED***
Click to expand...
NetWork Card(s): 2 NIC(s) Installed.
[01]: ZyXEL USB ADSL Modem (RFC1483 Mode)
Connection Name: Local Area
Connection 2
[02]: NETGEAR WG311v2 802.11g Wireless PCI
Adapter
Connection Name: Wireless Network
Connection
DHCP Enabled: Yes
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
IP address(es)
[01]: 192.168.1.38
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hi,

I'm having problems with my home computer which takes too long to boot
up. The problem is *MOST* likely not related to Windows itself
because:

- it takes too long for the Windows loading screen to show, but not
that long for Windows to load up fully (see video)
Click to expand...

sounds like windows.. Dunno what the thing you mention about
restarting indicates. Strange.

try
Bootlog Analyser - by greatis
www.greatis.com/security/bootlog.htm


consider a win xp repair installation.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
 
Sid, from your earlier post, I see your OS has been installed since
2005, so I would be inclined to suggest you do a full re-install.

Regards,
John.

Sid said:
Hi John,

Its hard to boot into safe mode, because the PC never prompts me with
a "Windows is starting up" (or equivalent) screen... And if I do press
the F8 key periodically during the 8 minute wait, it gives me an
"Input error" of some sort and asks me to press CTRL+ALT+DEL (no way
to escape this).

I discovered something interesting while doing this... The machine
reboots quickly if I RESTART it while booted into Windows... but if I
shut it down for 2-3 mins, and then try restarting, it takes the
regular 8 minutes...

Does that help localize where the problem might be?

Thanks!
Sid

What happens if you start it in 'safe' mode Sid?

Regards,
John.

Sid said:
Hi,
I'm having problems with my home computer which takes too long to boot
up. The problem is *MOST* likely not related to Windows itself
because:
- it takes too long for the Windows loading screen to show, but not
that long for Windows to load up fully (see video)
- within the BIOS, pressing the arrow keys to move the cursor still
takes a long time to refresh the screen (approximately 5-8 seconds for
it to refresh the view) which is HIGHLY abnormal for any PC.
Interesting points in the video (link:
):
0:36 mins - Start of booting process
8:00 mins - Start of Windows loading
9:45 mins - Windows restores full control
7 minutes and 24 seconds is just too long for any Windows PC to boot
up, let alone a 2.4GHz PC... The point of uploading the video is to
indicate that it is clearly not a Windows problem. Secondly, there is
a small white arrow-like mark which appears two inches from the bottom
left corner of the screen during the long wait... not sure why that
happens.
The systeminfo dump is listed below. If anyone requires any more
information about the machine, lemme know... Suggestions on how to
tackle this are most welcome! :)
Thanks,
Sid
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Host Name: HOMEPC
OS Name: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Version: 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation
OS Configuration: Standalone Workstation
OS Build Type: Uniprocessor Free
Registered Owner: XYZ
Registered Organization:
Product ID: ABC87-015-6614846-22DEF
Original Install Date: 10/13/2005, 6:06:43 PM
System Up Time: 0 Days, 2 Hours, 21 Minutes, 26 Seconds
System Manufacturer: INTEL_
System Model: D845GVS1
System type: X86-based PC
Processor(s): 1 Processor(s) Installed.
[01]: x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 3
GenuineIntel ~2400 Mhz
BIOS Version: INTEL - 20040216
Windows Directory: C:\WINDOWS
System Directory: C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device: \Device\HarddiskVolume1
System Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Input Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Time Zone: (GMT+05:30) Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, New
Delhi
Total Physical Memory: 254 MB
Available Physical Memory: 62 MB
Virtual Memory: Max Size: 2,048 MB
Virtual Memory: Available: 2,002 MB
Virtual Memory: In Use: 46 MB
Page File Location(s): C:\pagefile.sys
Domain: MSHOME
Logon Server: \\HOMEPC
Hotfix(s): 224 Hotfix(s) Installed.
***LIST REMOVED***
NetWork Card(s): 2 NIC(s) Installed.
[01]: ZyXEL USB ADSL Modem (RFC1483 Mode)
Connection Name: Local Area
Connection 2
[02]: NETGEAR WG311v2 802.11g Wireless PCI
Adapter
Connection Name: Wireless Network
Connection
DHCP Enabled: Yes
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
IP address(es)
[01]: 192.168.1.38
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Sid said:
Hi,

I'm having problems with my home computer which takes too long to boot
up. The problem is *MOST* likely not related to Windows itself
because:
Click to expand...
Total Physical Memory: 254 MB
Available Physical Memory: 62 MB
Virtual Memory: Max Size: 2,048 MB
Virtual Memory: Available: 2,002 MB
Virtual Memory: In Use: 46 MB
Click to expand...

This ^^^^^^ is not good:
-remove the current memory module(s) and upgrade the memory (to at least
512MB) with modules that are suitable for your main board.
-set the BIOS setting for video memory to the lowest possible setting.

Try booting from a Linux live CD/DVD to see/test your hardware without
the Windows platform.

Good luck,

Leo - MegaMad
 
MegaMad said:
This ^^^^^^ is not good:
-remove the current memory module(s) and upgrade the memory (to at least
512MB) with modules that are suitable for your main board.
-set the BIOS setting for video memory to the lowest possible setting.

Try booting from a Linux live CD/DVD to see/test your hardware without
the Windows platform.

Good luck,

Leo - MegaMad
Click to expand...
And also have your harddisk (at least 10GB?) checked from a Linux live
CD/DVD or Test CD/DVD
 
Sid said:
Hi,

I'm having problems with my home computer which takes too long to boot
up. The problem is *MOST* likely not related to Windows itself
because:

- it takes too long for the Windows loading screen to show, but not
that long for Windows to load up fully (see video)
- within the BIOS, pressing the arrow keys to move the cursor still
takes a long time to refresh the screen (approximately 5-8 seconds for
it to refresh the view) which is HIGHLY abnormal for any PC.

Interesting points in the video (link:
): 0:36 mins - Start of
booting process 8:00 mins - Start of Windows loading
9:45 mins - Windows restores full control

7 minutes and 24 seconds is just too long for any Windows PC to boot
up, let alone a 2.4GHz PC... The point of uploading the video is to
indicate that it is clearly not a Windows problem. Secondly, there is
a small white arrow-like mark which appears two inches from the bottom
left corner of the screen during the long wait... not sure why that
happens.

The systeminfo dump is listed below. If anyone requires any more
information about the machine, lemme know... Suggestions on how to
tackle this are most welcome! :)

Thanks,
Sid
--------------------------------------------------------------------------


Host Name: HOMEPC
OS Name: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Version: 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation
OS Configuration: Standalone Workstation
OS Build Type: Uniprocessor Free
Registered Owner: XYZ
Registered Organization:
Product ID: ABC87-015-6614846-22DEF
Original Install Date: 10/13/2005, 6:06:43 PM
System Up Time: 0 Days, 2 Hours, 21 Minutes, 26 Seconds
System Manufacturer: INTEL_
System Model: D845GVS1
System type: X86-based PC
Processor(s): 1 Processor(s) Installed.
[01]: x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 3
GenuineIntel ~2400 Mhz
BIOS Version: INTEL - 20040216
Windows Directory: C:\WINDOWS
System Directory: C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device: \Device\HarddiskVolume1
System Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Input Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Time Zone: (GMT+05:30) Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, New
Delhi
Total Physical Memory: 254 MB
Available Physical Memory: 62 MB
Virtual Memory: Max Size: 2,048 MB
Virtual Memory: Available: 2,002 MB
Virtual Memory: In Use: 46 MB
Page File Location(s): C:\pagefile.sys
Domain: MSHOME
Logon Server: \\HOMEPC
Hotfix(s): 224 Hotfix(s) Installed.
***LIST REMOVED***

NetWork Card(s): 2 NIC(s) Installed.
[01]: ZyXEL USB ADSL Modem (RFC1483 Mode)
Connection Name: Local Area
Connection 2
[02]: NETGEAR WG311v2 802.11g Wireless PCI
Adapter
Connection Name: Wireless Network
Connection
DHCP Enabled: Yes
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
IP address(es)
[01]: 192.168.1.38
Click to expand...

Have a good look at the main board for bad caps. Any that are bulging
or leaking.
 
Back
Top