How Fast is Fast Enough

Could someone tell me if my boot time is within the "normal" range, or if there are things I should do to improve it. Right now, Bootvis gives me a boot time of 51 seconds (I tried optimizing, but that only increased the time to 57 seconds so I did a system restore to get back to the way I was before Bootvis).

But I'm not sure if the Bootvis figure of 51 seconds is correct. From a cold boot poweron, it takes 15 seconds to get to the Windows screen, another 15 seconds to get to the Welcome screen, and then a minute and 15 seconds (for a total of one minute, 45 seconds) before the task bar is loaded, the hard disk stops percolating, and I'm ready to launch programs.

I've got only 3 items in my startup -- zone alarm, and two items related to Norton Antivirus 2005.

And here's my HijackThis log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 2:09:15 PM, on 10/3/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
c:\jetsuite\jsdaemon.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\StompSoft Test\PC BackUp\NMSAccess.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\IWP\NPFMntor.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\devldr32.exe
C:\Temp\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dellnet.com/
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.memeorandum.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dellnet.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.dellnet.com/
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://www.dellnet.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = sas.r1.attbi.com:8000
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe /Consumer
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe "
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O16 - DPF: {01A88BB1-1174-41EC-ACCB-963509EAE56B} (SysProWmi Class) - http://support.dell.com/systemprofiler/SysPro.CAB
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=39204
O16 - DPF: {3451DEDE-631F-421C-8127-FD793AFC6CC8} (ActiveDataInfo Class) - https://www-secure.symantec.com/techsupp/asa/ctrl/SymAData.cab
O16 - DPF: {44990200-3C9D-426D-81DF-AAB636FA4345} (Symantec SmartIssue) - https://www-secure.symantec.com/techsupp/asa/ctrl/tgctlsi.cab
O16 - DPF: {44990301-3C9D-426D-81DF-AAB636FA4345} (Symantec Script Runner Class) - https://www-secure.symantec.com/techsupp/asa/ctrl/tgctlsr.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1132435703187
O16 - DPF: {6A344D34-5231-452A-8A57-D064AC9B7862} (Symantec Download Manager) - https://webdl.symantec.com/activex/symdlmgr.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1150485511890
O16 - DPF: {9600F64D-755F-11D4-A47F-0001023E6D5A} (Shutterfly Picture Upload Plugin) - http://web1.shutterfly.com/downloads/Uploader.cab
O16 - DPF: {B020B534-4AA2-4B99-BD6D-5F6EE286DF5C} (Symantec Download Bridge) - https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/546...img/operations/symbizpr/xcontrol/SymDlBrg.cab
O16 - DPF: {E7DBFB6C-113A-47CF-B278-F5C6AF4DE1BD} - http://download.abacast.com/download/files/abasetup142f1.cab
O16 - DPF: {E856B973-45FD-4559-8F82-EAB539144667} (Dell PC Checkup Installer Control) - http://pccheckup.dellfix.com/rel/41/install/gtdownde.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation (ccPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: jsdaemon - JetFax, Inc. - c:\jetsuite\jsdaemon.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: NMSAccess - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\StompSoft Test\PC BackUp\NMSAccess.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Firewall Monitor Service (NPFMntor) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\IWP\NPFMntor.exe
O23 - Service: SAVScan - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service (SBService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~2\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec SPBBCSvc (SPBBCSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
O23 - Service: WAN Miniport (ATW) Service (WANMiniportService) - America Online, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe

Is there anything in the above that I should check an d have HijackThis delete or fix?

Is there anything else I can do to speed up my boot time?

Or am I alright as I am?

Thanks for your advice.

 

dkline--Sounds pretty normal to me.
You can see what other apps are starting at boot by using
http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml
Is that HiJackThis log made immediately after boot?

 

For me it is fast enough if it is ready after my first couple sips of coffee and the first drag of my cigarette in the morning.

 

Hey thanks, everyone.

Btw, disabling Norton's auto-protect and automatic live update only saved me maybe 15 seconds, so I'll keep those running at boot. Given that I've got a pretty lean startup -- only a couple of apps loading and many services shut off -- it seems my boot time is probably as good as it's going to get.

Anyway thanks for the feedback.

Oh and one more thing: Is there anything in my HijackThis log that I should check and have "fixed" by the program -- like those Dell IE start pages that I don't want? Or does none of that make a difference?

 

Hi dkline,

I don't think it makes a big difference, but fix them, if only to get rid of the clutter

Every once in awhile I'll check mine - save the scan for comparison to check against the next time I run a HJT.

Regards - Charles

 

Okay, will do, thanks.

 

BTW, defragmenting my C drive just saved me 15 seconds. So now it takes me 50-60 seconds to get the desktop and taskbar, and another 30 seconds for the Zone Alarm icon to hit the taskbar and the hour glass to disappear.

Thus my total boot time is now a minute and a half.

Not that I'm being obsessive or anything. (Jeez, I've gotta find some sort of challenge now that I'm no longer a war correspondent.)

Anyway, thanks again for your help.

 

I guess TonyT likes to live dangerously.
ZoneAlarm and the Auto-Protect feature of my antivirus app are definitely among the few third party programs I want to have starting at boot.

 

Ah-ha!

The Theory of Bootability:

Press power button + time to boil water + make coffee - fumble for (cigarettes + lighter) = Logon

 

Sorry, but I could not write much more at the time . Must have been the computer that dropped on my head.

The Norton antivirus will be "inspecting" all the files during

even though they were probably inspected several times during the previous session.
dkline, do you have a "reasonable" amount of RAM? For most average programs 512Mb of RAM will be sufficient. I have seen 256Mb take ages just to load the startup programs (and Norton to run it's checks). 256Mb of RAM had run out and was being farmed out to pagefile (memory run from the HDD). Don't fill your RAM with updater or "helper" programs.

Check if your drivers need updating. With all the Windows updates you may need updated drivers to make the hardware work correctly.

You may have run antivirus or antispyware, but check there are no legitimate junk/badly written programs loading at startup. Edit: from the Hijack readout, your startup does not seem to have any "junk ", (just Norton...in fact, mostly Norton/Symantec...rough count, around 50% of the running processes).

Matt

 

I actually timed my bootup for the first time. I sipped my coffee and took my first drag on the cigarette then started the PC (WinXP Home / Win98SE on two separate HDDs). 65 seconds. The only things I have at startup in the taskbar are Panda Titanium and Stickies. I have 25 processes running, many of those relate to Panda. I have a wired DSL connection (Ethernet). This PC only has an AMD XP 2400+ and 512MB of RAM. I haven't run Bootvis since the initial install several months ago.

 

Hi dkline,

A minute for bootup sounds ok. ZA's time is excessive. It might pay to uninstall/reinstall (clean) ZA.

Regards - Charles

 

I've got 1 GB of RAM, so that shouldn't be a problem. I've got a lean startup tab in Msconfig -- just zone alarm and Norton antivirus. Most of my services are off, in fact, I only just this week turned terminal services back on because it's the only way iTune 7.0 will work properly (thanks for making us figure that out on our own, Apple).

So that leaves two other suggestions -- reinstall zone alarm, and update drivers. I'm hesitant to do the former -- why mess with something that works? And as for new drivers, how do I find out if I need any -- which drivers should I check, in other words, and how?

 

Hi dkline,

Ran across instructions to clear ZA's database files - see if that helps. My experience with ZA is that the files get larger and do tend to get corrupt over time.

I would go further, I would clean out all the files, especially tvDebug log - that's the biggest. Don't remember if in the free version you can restart the logs on a set period of time - in other words, log for a week, then start a new log. That way you can delete older logs.

I run ZA Pro. It takes the XP that ZA is installed on a little under a minute to boot from start to finish, with the ZA client fininishing at 58 seconds according to BootVs.

Whenever I install a new ZA version, I do a clean install which creates a new set of ZA files.

The AV I'm running is NOD32.

I don't think drivers are a problem - outside of ZA, you're just fine.

Regards - Charles

 

So Charles, you're saying that I might boot faster if I delete the ZA database files? I'm happy to try that, but do you know whether doing so will erase my settings (trusted networks et. al.) or not?

As for norton antivirus, I wonder if I really need auto-protect, etc. if I'm running ZA. But then again, I just remembered that disabling these only saved me 10-15 seconds in boot time. Is that worth it?

And TonyT, what's a "router w/nat?" Or rather, what's nat (I know what a router is)?