xp taking hours to boot

October 15, 2008

I'm having trouble even trying any solutions that I've used in the past to

resolve performance problems because it runs so slowly that anything I try

doesn't repond. Do I need to reinstall?

October 15, 2008

Re: xp taking hours to boot

"AndyN" <AndyN@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:AD727A86-CCCA-4516-9D32-719972FF7804@microsoft.com...

> I'm having trouble even trying any solutions that I've used in the

> past to

> resolve performance problems because it runs so slowly that anything I

> try

> doesn't repond. Do I need to reinstall?

Here are the most common causes for PC slowness:

1. Malicious software (malware)

2. Certain programs that are designed to combat malware (e.g., Norton

and McAfee). Ironically, they can slow things down because they simply

use way too many resources. Sometime they cause conflicts with other

programs. And their default mode is to scan your entire hard drive each

time you boot up.

3. Too many of *certain types* of programs always running in the

background -- with or without your knowledge.

Use these sites to determine what these programs are and to learn how to

configure them not to always run at startup:

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

Sometimes it is recommended to use msconfig to configure the programs to

not run at startup. A better, more thorough program is Autoruns:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

4. Not enough RAM, which causes the PC to overly rely on the pagefile. A

quick way to determine if this is happening is to open Task Manager

(Ctrl+Alt+Del) and click the Performance tab. Then note the three values

under Commit Charge (K): in the lower left-hand corner: Total, Limit,

and Peak.

The Total figure represents the amount of memory you are using at that

very moment. The Peak figure represents the highest amount of memory you

used since last bootup. If both these figures are below the value of

Physical Memory (K) Total, then you probably have plenty of RAM.

Otherwise, you may want to explore this further by running Page File

Monitor for Windows XP:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm

5. You might also want to check that your hard drive's access mode

didn't change from DMA to PIO:

http://www.technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

and

http://users.bigpond.net.au/ninjaduck/itserviceduck/udma_fix/

October 15, 2008

Re: xp taking hours to boot

Thanks Daave. My first thought had been malware and then too much stuff

running on startup, but whatever the problem I'm having trouble getting

anything to work in Windows. Is there any way to try to resolve these issues

prior to windows starting?

"Daave" wrote:

> "AndyN" <AndyN@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:AD727A86-CCCA-4516-9D32-719972FF7804@microsoft.com...

> > I'm having trouble even trying any solutions that I've used in the

> > past to

> > resolve performance problems because it runs so slowly that anything I

> > try

> > doesn't repond. Do I need to reinstall?

>

> Here are the most common causes for PC slowness:

>

> 1. Malicious software (malware)

>

> 2. Certain programs that are designed to combat malware (e.g., Norton

> and McAfee). Ironically, they can slow things down because they simply

> use way too many resources. Sometime they cause conflicts with other

> programs. And their default mode is to scan your entire hard drive each

> time you boot up.

>

> 3. Too many of *certain types* of programs always running in the

> background -- with or without your knowledge.

>

> Use these sites to determine what these programs are and to learn how to

> configure them not to always run at startup:

>

> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS

> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/

> http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

>

> Sometimes it is recommended to use msconfig to configure the programs to

> not run at startup. A better, more thorough program is Autoruns:

>

> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

>

> 4. Not enough RAM, which causes the PC to overly rely on the pagefile. A

> quick way to determine if this is happening is to open Task Manager

> (Ctrl+Alt+Del) and click the Performance tab. Then note the three values

> under Commit Charge (K): in the lower left-hand corner: Total, Limit,

> and Peak.

>

> The Total figure represents the amount of memory you are using at that

> very moment. The Peak figure represents the highest amount of memory you

> used since last bootup. If both these figures are below the value of

> Physical Memory (K) Total, then you probably have plenty of RAM.

> Otherwise, you may want to explore this further by running Page File

> Monitor for Windows XP:

>

> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm

>

> 5. You might also want to check that your hard drive's access mode

> didn't change from DMA to PIO:

>

> http://www.technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

>

> and

>

> http://users.bigpond.net.au/ninjaduck/itserviceduck/udma_fix/

>

October 15, 2008

Re: xp taking hours to boot

"AndyN" <AndyN@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:4AB34FE5-4326-411E-858D-2E43B9468D20@microsoft.com...

> Thanks Daave. My first thought had been malware and then too much stuff

> running on startup, but whatever the problem I'm having trouble getting

> anything to work in Windows. Is there any way to try to resolve these

> issues

> prior to windows starting?

Unplug the network cable.

Start in Safe Mode, and use MSCONFIG to examine and disable whatever isn't

needed. Many apps and services won't start in Safe Mode so you can get

more control of the system.

But, If there is malware, and it's a possibility, it's helpful to remove the

drive, attach it to another system - I use USB2 drive cases and adapters for

this - and do a virus and malware scan. This can be extremely

beneficial; since the drive didn't boot, the malware didn't launch and isn't

trying to evade the scans.

While you have the drive out, clear out all the temp and temporary internet

files folders. Empty the recycle bin and defragment the drive.

Put the drive back in and boot. If you suddenly get "cannot find file"

messages, it's very likely that the system was infected, you've cleared most

of it out, and now have to remove the launcher references. Again msconfig

is a big help here.

HTH

-pk

>

> "Daave" wrote:

>

>> "AndyN" <AndyN@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:AD727A86-CCCA-4516-9D32-719972FF7804@microsoft.com...

>> > I'm having trouble even trying any solutions that I've used in the

>> > past to

>> > resolve performance problems because it runs so slowly that anything I

>> > try

>> > doesn't repond. Do I need to reinstall?

>>

>> Here are the most common causes for PC slowness:

>>

>> 1. Malicious software (malware)

>>

>> 2. Certain programs that are designed to combat malware (e.g., Norton

>> and McAfee). Ironically, they can slow things down because they simply

>> use way too many resources. Sometime they cause conflicts with other

>> programs. And their default mode is to scan your entire hard drive each

>> time you boot up.

>>

>> 3. Too many of *certain types* of programs always running in the

>> background -- with or without your knowledge.

>>

>> Use these sites to determine what these programs are and to learn how to

>> configure them not to always run at startup:

>>

>> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS

>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/

>> http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

>>

>> Sometimes it is recommended to use msconfig to configure the programs to

>> not run at startup. A better, more thorough program is Autoruns:

>>

>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

>>

>> 4. Not enough RAM, which causes the PC to overly rely on the pagefile. A

>> quick way to determine if this is happening is to open Task Manager

>> (Ctrl+Alt+Del) and click the Performance tab. Then note the three values

>> under Commit Charge (K): in the lower left-hand corner: Total, Limit,

>> and Peak.

>>

>> The Total figure represents the amount of memory you are using at that

>> very moment. The Peak figure represents the highest amount of memory you

>> used since last bootup. If both these figures are below the value of

>> Physical Memory (K) Total, then you probably have plenty of RAM.

>> Otherwise, you may want to explore this further by running Page File

>> Monitor for Windows XP:

>>

>> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm

>>

>> 5. You might also want to check that your hard drive's access mode

>> didn't change from DMA to PIO:

>>

>> http://www.technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

>>

>> and

>>

>> http://users.bigpond.net.au/ninjaduck/itserviceduck/udma_fix/

>>

October 15, 2008

Re: xp taking hours to boot

I like Patrick's answer.

The Sysytem Configuration Utility can be very helpful. Follow the

directions here to try a "clean boot":

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

By using process of elimination, you should be able to determine any

problematic resource hogs.

Of course, you need to rule out malware first. Here's a great guide:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Viruses_Malware

"AndyN" <AndyN@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:4AB34FE5-4326-411E-858D-2E43B9468D20@microsoft.com...

> Thanks Daave. My first thought had been malware and then too much

> stuff

> running on startup, but whatever the problem I'm having trouble

> getting

> anything to work in Windows. Is there any way to try to resolve these

> issues

> prior to windows starting?

>

> "Daave" wrote:

>

>> "AndyN" <AndyN@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:AD727A86-CCCA-4516-9D32-719972FF7804@microsoft.com...

>> > I'm having trouble even trying any solutions that I've used in the

>> > past to

>> > resolve performance problems because it runs so slowly that

>> > anything I

>> > try

>> > doesn't repond. Do I need to reinstall?

>>

>> Here are the most common causes for PC slowness:

>>

>> 1. Malicious software (malware)

>>

>> 2. Certain programs that are designed to combat malware (e.g., Norton

>> and McAfee). Ironically, they can slow things down because they

>> simply

>> use way too many resources. Sometime they cause conflicts with other

>> programs. And their default mode is to scan your entire hard drive

>> each

>> time you boot up.

>>

>> 3. Too many of *certain types* of programs always running in the

>> background -- with or without your knowledge.

>>

>> Use these sites to determine what these programs are and to learn how

>> to

>> configure them not to always run at startup:

>>

>> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS

>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/

>> http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

>>

>> Sometimes it is recommended to use msconfig to configure the programs

>> to

>> not run at startup. A better, more thorough program is Autoruns:

>>

>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

>>

>> 4. Not enough RAM, which causes the PC to overly rely on the

>> pagefile. A

>> quick way to determine if this is happening is to open Task Manager

>> (Ctrl+Alt+Del) and click the Performance tab. Then note the three

>> values

>> under Commit Charge (K): in the lower left-hand corner: Total, Limit,

>> and Peak.

>>

>> The Total figure represents the amount of memory you are using at

>> that

>> very moment. The Peak figure represents the highest amount of memory

>> you

>> used since last bootup. If both these figures are below the value of

>> Physical Memory (K) Total, then you probably have plenty of RAM.

>> Otherwise, you may want to explore this further by running Page File

>> Monitor for Windows XP:

>>

>> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm

>>

>> 5. You might also want to check that your hard drive's access mode

>> didn't change from DMA to PIO:

>>

>> http://www.technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

>>

>> and

>>

>> http://users.bigpond.net.au/ninjaduck/itserviceduck/udma_fix/

>>

October 15, 2008

Re: xp taking hours to boot

Andy

Are there any problems indicated in the System and Application logs?

Please post copies of all Error and Warning Reports appearing in the

System and Application logs in Event Viewer relating to the last boot in

normal mode . No Information Reports or Duplicates please. Indicate

which also appear in a previous boot.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,

Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning

of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description

are important.

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double

click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which appears is a

button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event

Viewer.Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the body of

the message. Make sure this is the first paste after exiting from

Event Viewer.

Is the problem the time to boot to desktop or lack of responsiveness

after the deskstop has loaded?

I would be interested in seeing a Disk Defragmenter report . Open Disk

Defragmenter and click on Analyse. Select View Report and click on Save

As and Save. Now find VolumeC.txt in your My Documents Folder and post a

copy. Do this before running Disk Defragmenter as it is more

informative.

Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp to

Empty your Recycle Bin and Remove Temporary Internet Files. Also

select Start, All Programs, accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp,

More Options, System Restore and remove all but the latest System

Restore point. Run Disk Defragmenter.

Otherwise Daave has given you an excellent list of points to work

through.

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry

~~~~

FCA

Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AndyN wrote:

> Thanks Daave. My first thought had been malware and then too much

> stuff running on startup, but whatever the problem I'm having trouble

> getting anything to work in Windows. Is there any way to try to

> resolve these issues prior to windows starting?

>

> "Daave" wrote:

>

>> "AndyN" <AndyN@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:AD727A86-CCCA-4516-9D32-719972FF7804@microsoft.com...

>>> I'm having trouble even trying any solutions that I've used in the

>>> past to

>>> resolve performance problems because it runs so slowly that

>>> anything I try

>>> doesn't repond. Do I need to reinstall?

>>

>> Here are the most common causes for PC slowness:

>>

>> 1. Malicious software (malware)

>>

>> 2. Certain programs that are designed to combat malware (e.g., Norton

>> and McAfee). Ironically, they can slow things down because they

>> simply use way too many resources. Sometime they cause conflicts

>> with other programs. And their default mode is to scan your entire

>> hard drive each time you boot up.

>>

>> 3. Too many of *certain types* of programs always running in the

>> background -- with or without your knowledge.

>>

>> Use these sites to determine what these programs are and to learn

>> how to configure them not to always run at startup:

>>

>> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS

>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/

>> http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

>>

>> Sometimes it is recommended to use msconfig to configure the

>> programs to not run at startup. A better, more thorough program is

>> Autoruns:

>>

>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

>>

>> 4. Not enough RAM, which causes the PC to overly rely on the

>> pagefile. A quick way to determine if this is happening is to open

>> Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del) and click the Performance tab. Then note

>> the three values under Commit Charge (K): in the lower left-hand

>> corner: Total, Limit, and Peak.

>>

>> The Total figure represents the amount of memory you are using at

>> that very moment. The Peak figure represents the highest amount of

>> memory you used since last bootup. If both these figures are below

>> the value of Physical Memory (K) Total, then you probably have

>> plenty of RAM. Otherwise, you may want to explore this further by

>> running Page File Monitor for Windows XP:

>>

>> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm

>>

>> 5. You might also want to check that your hard drive's access mode

>> didn't change from DMA to PIO:

>>

>> http://www.technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

>>

>> and

>>

>> http://users.bigpond.net.au/ninjaduck/itserviceduck/udma_fix/

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