Slow start-up

[Andre De Clercq]

Just reporting. My problem (~5 min start-up time) is finally resolved. It
was related to my scanner (HP4300c) which was not disconnected during a
fresh XPSP2 install. Uninstall/reinstall solved the problem. I found it by
trial and error, but I would appreciate if somebody could tell my how this
problem could be traced. The symptoms were(also mailed earlier): normal
starup until delayed just before the network started (>2min) and a further 2
min delay before I could open "My computer". Thanks for all those who were
willing to help.

 

[Richard Urban]

Unfortunately, some problems can not be traced by using logic. About 4 years
ago I ran into a problem with Microsoft Office 2000 bombing out - totally.
Using the same trial and error trouble shooting method you went through, I
found that if I loaded Winfax Pro "prior to loading Office, everything was
fine. Unfortunately, I loaded it after Office was up and running. After
about the fourth reinstall I stumbled upon the solution.

Your problem may have been a bit easier though. When facing serious
problems, many of us recommend stripping out all hardware and connections
except for the monitor, video card, mouse, keyboard and floppy drive. For
me, this would include all hard drives except for the primary master (now a
single for install purposes) and all but one CD or DVD drive.

After the system has been installed the M/B drivers would be next. At this
point an image of the system partition would be created. You can now install
all current Window Updates. Is the system still a go? Fine! Create another
image to go back to. You try to protect yourself as you are going. Then when
you hit a roadblock, you can just restore the Ghost image and try another
way.

In a perfect world, this would not be necessary. Windows has many tens of
thousands of different types of hardware that can be plugged in. Apple, on
the other hand, has a better handle on the problem as they supply the major
part of the hardware for their computer (or so I have been lead to believe)!
(-:

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Andre De Clercq]

Thanks Richard for yr interesting recommendations.