Slow Bootup proccess

Got a strange problem on a Dell Dimension P3 system. When booting up, it takes forever to go through the initial boot process. The system runs the memory test, scans and identifies the hard drives and cd-roms etc. It is this process that seems to take forever. The memory test is slow, as well as the
display of the drives/cd's. There is a small program from Western Digital that runs next, then one from XP. This entire process takes way to long, and has not always been like that. In fact it was intermittent initially, but now seem the preferred mode for the computer (certainly not I). Anyone have a clue???

Thanks, Jerry

 

Download and install Mike Lin's StartUpCPL. It puts a choice in your Control Panel called "Start Up" that allows you to stop any process from loading at boot by unticking a box. Many programs want to start with the computer, but are not needed until you turn them on. The only things you must load at boot are XP and Internet Security programs. This Process Library is is helpful. In XP, you can disable many services that you aren't using. In addition to performance, it is wise to "close the doors" for security reasons. This Service Controller is a user-friendly utility based on Black Viper's recommendations.

If you haven't already, go to the Security Forum, read the stickys on malware and run Spybot and AdAware, just to be sure your system is clean. Many times computers will get sluggish with the weight of a parasite, worm or spyware dragging it down. It can't hurt to be too careful!

HTH
Johanna

 

Jerry ...

Not a complete answer, but you should be able to turn off the extended memory test in the BIOS.

 

To reply to a post, click the "Reply" button on the left, not the "Quote" button on the right.

First things first, then we'll have a look at BIOS settings. Because you described the problem as gradually getting worse, I suspect something(s) is bogging down the system, as you try to boot.

Johanna

 

Slow Boot

Thanks to all for the suggestions etc. Need to try the stuff and look for progress. Will advise.......

 

Problem is occuring during POST, before "system" (= OS?) is loaded. I'm guessing it's a hardware problem.

Has there been any change to the computer in the last few months? It might help to know the computer's specs.

 

Specs

Thanks for the note. I really didn't want to hear that though. The computer is a Dell Dimension Series 650t (650mhz). It runs the Pentium 3, with 600+ ram. It is about 5 years old or so, and was kinda top of the line when I bought it. Not sure what else you need, but let me know. I was thinking a pre-windows problem as well, and a friend suggested I pull out every pci cards installed. I will say, that it is an intermittent problem..... today seems to be working ok. Damned computers!!!!!

 

Your friend is on the right track, I think. You will have to experiment to see what's slowing down the boot process.

What I'd do first is look at the BIOS setup program and see what it says about booting; sometimes there's a selection for fast memory test, as Ray noted, so select it; and there should be a selection for identifying the HDDs automatically. You should do this and see if the HDDs are found immediately or after a long delay, which could indicate the problem.

When you reboot, note exactly where the delay occurs; that tells you what the BIOS is looking for and having trouble finding.

If that doesn't give us any clues, the next step should be to strip the computer down to the bare minimum to boot: the keyboard, video card (unless video is on the mobo), one memory card, monitor, and then see how it boots. If ok, add other parts one by one (floppy next) and see if they slow down the booting. If so, you've found the culprit. If not, You may need another computer in which to test your parts.

 

Slow Boot

Thanks to all for the input. There is an old cliche(?) that reads "it got there by itself and it will leave by itself ". That seems to be what happened in my case. On one hand, I am glad things are working, on the other, I fear the problem could resurface and I will still be in the same boat. Such is life. Again thanks to all,
Jerry

 

Hello jerry,

BootVis is a MS tool to analyze and affect boot times http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=664

I would recommend using BootVis to analyze ONLY. I've read that the tool has made things worse instead of better in some instances and because of this, MS no longer makes this tool available at their download site.

Regards - Charles

 

Slow Boot

Hi Charles,
I read about that too, and also found out that it is no longer available. Thanks for the comments though, and I will just pray it doen't happen again.
Jerry

 

I would consider myself "On thin ice" because the average life of a hard drive is 3 years.

 

Jerry, it is available at MajorGeeks - gave the url.

Use it to compare when boot time when acceptable and when the problem occurs.

Regards - Charles

 

Guess you haven't worked much in a PC repair enviroment huh Arie?

I can't count the drives I have replaced in the 3 to 4 year old range.