slow startup :S

[Harty]

Hey im new here, so a big hello to all :)

 

ill talk through it as if i was doing it may make it more clear :)

 

so i turn the computer on, all is fine its going threw the normal start up process. i come to the screen

 

'Boot from CD:'

 

nothing new, but this is taking longer the normal to pass threw this screen, then we come to the windows XP loading screen with the blue bar, first this is just faded out and there is no loading atall then 3-4 minutes later it will fade in and load up as normal, from here everything is fine. :)

 

System:

Windows microsoft XP

media center edition

version 2002

server pack 3

 

 

packard bell

packard bell computer

Inter®

pentuim® 4 cpu 2.93ghz

2.93ghz, 1.00gb of ram

 

using avast anti virus, its been good to me so far, and im not one for using P2P programs or stuff like that.

 

had the computer a couple of years now, so maybe its just getting old.

 

 

anyways thanks in advance for any help:).

[Seth]

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Harty.

 

Since the major hang occurs at the XP splash screen, I doubt the issue is being caused by third party startup programs. Try to run hard drive error checking:

 

Start>Run, type in chkdsk /r (space between the K and the /) and press ok. Press Y at the next screen and restart. Make sure the error correction actually runs, as sometimes XP ignores the request to run the utility.

[Dalo Harkin]

Have you recently reinstalled the OS or been in the BIOS - you need to set the first boot device to HDD and disable the rest and it will then not search for the CDROM - seems like its kust taking longer than normal (this can also happen if you leave some CD/DVD in the drives) ;)

[Harty]

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Harty.

 

Since the major hang occurs at the XP splash screen, I doubt the issue is being caused by third party startup programs. Try to run hard drive error checking:

 

Start>Run, type in chkdsk /r (space between the K and the /) and press ok. Press Y at the next screen and restart. Make sure the error correction actually runs, as sometimes XP ignores the request to run the utility.

 

 

done this, restarted still the same outcome :( :) . did this a couple nights back aswell :)

 

 

 

Dalo Harkin,

 

nope havent re-installed or been in the bois the only thing to have changed on the night this happend was my internet connection was sped up but im sure that hasnt got anything to do with it.

 

'you need to set the first boot device to HDD and disable the rest and it will then not search for the CDROM'

 

how would i go about doing this :]?

[Seth]

The boot order doesn't have anything to do with the XP splash screen hang, but Dalo makes a good little known point: A computer should not be run with a cd in the drive unless you're using that cd.

[Harty]

i rarely leave a disk in the tray, ill remember more often not to do that ;)

 

also ive had this problem for a few days, where it slows at the windows splash screen but prevoiusly i went to restart by holding the button at the front of the computer and going threw the process again, it seems to load as normal then.

[Seth]

Hard drive problem?

 

Anyone else?

[Harty]

Hard drive problem?

 

Anyone else?

 

 

hehe i had a feeling it was that but wasnt to sure myself,

 

new hard drive needed then?

[Goku]

Hello and Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Harty. :)

 

Under usual circumstances, I wouldn't recommend you to do so but since the problem you state is very rare, I suggest you use a little utility called BootVis. BootVis was released a few years ago by Microsoft though it is unsupported by Microsoft now. Many users reported to have improved boot times after using it. Whether it was a placebo effect or some real change, I cannot tell but I think it is safe for you to use it.

 

If nothing happens even after using the utility, then please report back. It might be some conflicting drivers that might be causing a lag in loading XP. Hope that helps. Let us know how it goes.

 

Good Luck.

 

-- Goku

[Dalo Harkin]

It does sound like the HDD is failing - I would have tried the Boot priority just to see if it improved - there could be a conflict causing the splash to take longer to load.

Ok - so when you say you sped the internet up - what did you do - install a program that claims to speed it up?

[Seth]

hehe i had a feeling it was that but wasnt to sure myself,

 

new hard drive needed then?

 

It's hard to say considering the major hang is only on the splash screen, yet it's fine once fully started.

 

Another possibility is that some form of malware is hooked in the preceding XP or driver files of the splash screen.

 

At this point, I suggest you run the system through our malware removal procedure:

 

 

• Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent.
  It is a combination of the words malicious and software.
  The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.
  

 

• Required Cleanup Steps
  
  1. Disable the Spybot Search & Destroy TEA TIMER if you use it and if it is enabled
     
  2. Run a Temporary file and cache cleaner (ATF)
     
  3. Run 2 Anti-Malware scanners (Listed Below)
     
  4. Run an Online Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware Scanner (Listed Below)
     
  5. Clear out old System Restore points
     
  6. If continued Malware type activity is present you may be asked to post a TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Log file, do not do so unless requested.
     

   

The reason to run multiple scanners is to ensure that no single scanner is missing something.

The time it takes will vary depending on your system and your internet connection speed.

Typically the SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes scanners will take between 10 to 90 minutes.

The ESET online scan should take between 1 to 3 hours.

In most cases, these scans will suffice to clean and disinfect your computer.

Heavily infected systems or slower PCs can take much longer to scan and clean.

 

For best results print the following instructions and bookmark this Web page

To keep this guide printer-friendly, use your cursor to highlight the contents below.

From your browser select File - Print and in the printer dialog box under "Print range"

click the

Selection

choice to print out these instructions for removal of malware.

 

 

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/printer-selection.gif

 

____________________________________________

STEP 1

• Disable Spybot Search & Destroys' TEA TIMER: (if installed, if not go to Step 2)
  
  
  1. Run Spybot-S&D in Advanced Mode.
     
     
  2. If it is not already set to do this Go to the Mode menu select "Advanced Mode"
     
     
  3. On the left hand side, Click on Tools
     
     
  4. Then click on the Resident Icon in the List
     
     
  5. Uncheck "Resident TeaTimer" and OK any prompts.
     
     
  6. Restart your computer.
     
     
   

__________________________________________________

STEP 2

• Follow these instructions carefully.
  
  
• Download ATF-Cleaner from
  Snapfiles.com
  to remove un-needed temporary files from your computer that may contain malware.
  
  
• You can also download it from
  Majorgeeks.com
  
  
• When you run ATF-Cleaner, check the items as shown below for Main.
  
  
• For FireFox, be sure to click on the FireFox tab on top and check the items as shown below for FireFox
  
  
• NOTE:
  If you don't have FireFox or Opera installed then they will be grayed out and can be ignored
  
  
• Then click on "Empty Selected".
  
  

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/atf-cleaner01.gif

.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/atf-cleaner02.gif

__________________________________________________

STEP 3

• Install and run the free version (not the Professional version) of SUPERAntiSpyware from
  SUPERAntiSpyware.com
  
  
  • Accept any prompts to allow SUPERAntiSpyware to install the latest rules and infection definition files.
    
    
  • You do not have to send them your e-mail address, just click next.
    
    
  • You can leave the automated check for updates on.
    
    
  • You can uncheck "Send a diagnostic report to research center" if you don't want to send the information.
    
    
  • DO NOT
    allow SUPERAntiSpyware to protect your Home Page settings.
    
    
  • On the
    Top Left
    select the
    Scan your computer
    button.
    
    
  • Make sure there is a CHECK MARK on all
    Fixed Drives
    .
    
    
  • Click "Perform a Complete Scan". Click "Next" to Repair issues found and reboot the computer when prompted to do so.
    
    
   

__________________________________________________

STEP 4

• Install and run
  Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  from
  Malwarebytes - (direct download)
  
  
  • Accept all defaults for the installer
    
    
  • Allow the program to update the definitions
    
    
  • Click on the
    Quick Scan
    and click Next.
    
    
  • If any items are found allow it to clean them and then Reboot your computer.
    
    
   

__________________________________________________

STEP 5

• Run an online scan with ESET from
  Free Virus Scan: Use ESET's Online Antivirus Scanner
  
  
  • You
    must
    use Internet Explorer for this online scan. FireFox, Opera, etc will not work for this scan.
    
    
  • If your computer is running Window's Vista, then you
    must first
    start Internet Explorer as an Administrator. To do so, right-click on the
    Internet Explorer
    icon in the Start Menu and select "
    Run as administrator
    " from the popup context menu.
    
    
   
  • Accept the terms and click "Start".
    
    
  • Once the scanner is ready, check "Remove found threats" AND "Scan unwanted applications".
    
    
  • Click "Start" to begin the scan.
    
    
  • When completed restart your computer
    
    
   

__________________________________________________

Make sure your internet firewall security is enabled, and then please return to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help and tell us how the computer seems to be operating.

At that time, you will receive instructions to assist you in removing malicious programs from your Add/Remove program list if warranted.

 

If required this is the download link for TrendMicro™ HijackThis™

Unless instructed to by the Technician helping you then do not download this tool.

 

Once you and the Technician agree that your system appears to be clean then you should delete all your System Restore points and recreate a new one.

Please follow the instructions here

How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows XP

How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows Vista

Edited October 2, 2008 by Seth

[Harty]

It does sound like the HDD is failing - I would have tried the Boot priority just to see if it improved - there could be a conflict causing the splash to take longer to load.

Ok - so when you say you sped the internet up - what did you do - install a program that claims to speed it up?

 

oh no, my isp sent out a package a new recivier nothing installed, just a new reciver box and then they sent threw the faster conenction speed. but this was the only thing to be changed on the computer before the such slow load.

 

Goku - tried this :) all is the same, but thanks :)

 

Seth - going threw your steps as i type this :)

[Harty]

seth, been threw your steps

 

ATF cleaner, cleared files ect,

superanti spyware found 27 adware. tracking cookies,

ESET online scan found nothing

Malaware mytes found nothing

 

:)

 

ofcourse restarted inbetween each of those.

[Seth]

Well the next steps depend on if you want to live with it, or pursue it further.

 

If the problem began recently, then try a system restore. Another option would be a repair install of XP.

[Harty]

i could do a system restore other than this is a pain in the backside, but i could do that.

 

repair install of XP? tell me more :P:D

[Seth]

See method #2 here:

 

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP

 

However, you'll need an XP operating system that may or may not have come with your computer.

[Harty]

ill be doing that then :)

 

thanks for your help, ill be going offline now

 

do this when i get back :)

 

ill let you no off the outcome :)

 

 

thanks everyone ^_^

[Harty]

anyways did a full system restore :) still its slow at the windows splash screen.

 

looks like im goign to have to live with it, any idea if this problem will progress/get worse?

 

thanks

[hyp3r]

If your pc is slow on boot there are numerous factors to consider.....

 

Low HDD space

Small amount of memory

Generally a low end Slow pc (what is your pc spec?)

Lots of startup items

the list goes on.......

 

To speed up my boot i usually use a couple of applications like tune up utilities 2008 and ace utilities version 4.

 

You can however achieve good boot up speed by using MSCONFIG

 

Go to START - RUN - type msconfig and press enter.

 

The screen you will see after this is a thing of beauty.

 

Find the startup tab and click on it

 

this will list everything that starts up when your pc starts, untick the ones you know you dont need/want starting.

 

for example: Quicktime.

 

Press ok and exit with restart.

 

Run an anti virus scan.

Run Spybot S+D (The home of Spybot-S&D!) its free!!!

 

Restart the pc

 

Try timing your pc before and after these operations

Post back with your results

 

thanks

[Seth]

Hyp,

 

Note that the hang is on the XP screen splash screen and all following is running normally. As such, your suggestions are incorrect for this particular situation. No third party programs load until well after the splash screen.

 

Also note that Harty has been through a disinfection procedure which is far superior to simply running an outdated antimalware program such as Spybot.

[Harty]

hyp,

 

yeh i only have about 4 start up programs in msconfig which the ones ive disabbled ive also checked on processlibary to much sure they arent cricitcal. and only 34-45 processes running at a time. i use my pc allot for gaming so most processes are game related xifre, punkbuster ect :)

 

my computer gerneally isnt slow and as seth says it just hangs at the windows splash screen

 

and after a full reboot the problem still persisted, my computer must just be getting old. and if so i can live with it till i buy a new computer.

 

thanks

Edited October 3, 2008 by Harty

[Harty]

OK, came across something last night,

 

when loading up you come to the screen ( this isnt word for word but youll get the idea )

 

' please select an operating system start.

 

windows media center

windows recovery console

 

seconds untill the highlighted choice will be started automatically: '

 

 

right, windows media center is always highlighted obvoiusly, but if i press enter and NOT let it automatically choose. my windows splash screen will load in a matter of seconds, and i no longer have the delayed splash screen but if i let it automatically choose the splash screen hanging again.

 

so im confused.

[Seth]

Me too, as that shouldn't make any difference.

[Harty]

hmmm :confused:

 

since there seems no way to solve this, any idea which component could be causing this?

[Seth]

Can you repeat your findings in post #22?

 

How much of a time difference is there between the two?