Slow Boot - 2 Minutes on Blue Welcome Screen

I am new to this board and originally posted this under a thread started by Sa7 because it sounds like exactly the same problem. However, I have been advised that I should start my own thread. It is not a virus or malware problem (details of reasons for this statement supplied below).

I have a year and a half old Dell Latitude D620 running XP Pro with all the latest MS updates, including SP3. Use McAfee for virus protection only (not complete suite) and Zone Alarm firewall. Also run Ad-Aware and EasyCleaner regularly to remove adware, delete unnecessary files, and clean registry.

Welcome screen duration (not total boot time) is right at 2 minutes. Tried steps outlined by mflynn in response to Sa7 initial post. There is no problem when booting to Safe Mode only (Welcome screen duration is about 8 seconds). However, when I boot to Safe Mode with Networking, Welcome screen duration is 2 minutes, which is the same as for a normal boot. So it appears that it may be an issue with loading drivers and DLLs associated with networking.

Reason I don't believe it is a virus or malware: In addition to always running McAfee VirusScan and ZoneAlarm firewall, as well regularly using Ad-Aware and EasyCleaner, I tried ATF-Cleaner, CCleaner, xclean_micro, and malwarebyes recommended by mflynn. ATF-Cleaner made no difference. CCleaner shaved off about 10 seconds, but I am still left with 1 minute 50 seconds of Welcome screen. Neither xclean_micro nor malwarebytes found anything.

Steve

 

Have you updated your drivers at the Dell website? Start with any updates for the chipset drivers.

 

Do you .net framework installed?
I recently had a problem with my installation of .net 2.0 that caused a number of problems including a long wait at the welcome screen. If you think that might be it, completely remove .net from your system and reinstall it. That might fix your problem.

 

Thanks for the replies. I doubt it is a driver issue because it is something that just started happening a month or so ago, but I can check that out. But I'm going to try the .net 2.0 suggestion first. As I indicated in the original post, I keep the system fully updated, and I do recall some .net 2.0 stuff in one of the updates a little while back. How much do I really need .net framework anyway? I believe it is considered "optional" software and not a core part of XP. What won't work if I just uninstall it and leave it off?

Steve

 

Hi Steve, have you uninstalled Zone Alarm to check that there is not a problem with SP3? There was an incompatibility a few weeks back and there were a number of posts in quite a few Forums about it.Neil.

 

I tried unchecking it in msconfig so that it wouldn't start on boot up, and that didn't make any difference.

 

I just did a System Restore to a System Check Point on August 2nd, which was as far as I could go back. The blue Welcome screen time dropped to about 30 seconds, so it looks like one of the upgrades or something else I have installed since then is the culprit. I guess I can try going forward one restore point at a time until I find out which one caused the problem. Or I could undo the restore and start going backward in time to find it. Any suggestions on which approach might be best (and safest)?

Steve

 

Hi Steve, as you suggested, it may be an upgrade clashing or when was SP3 installed? Before or after Aug 2nd. Some one with a little more knowledge will hopefully check in on your post soon. Neil.

 

hello swhitesellnj. Personally,if I got it down that far, I would create a new restore point and then try to remove some other items. On my machine, most restore point dates show what was installed on that date, so look at those when deciding. A program you can do without ? Send it Bye-Bye.Get to where you want and create newer point.

 

Thanks for the suggestion from hrlow2. I have looked at all of the restore points. With the exception of adding Quick Time and a Java 6 update, all of the others are identified as Software Distribution Service 3.0, which means they are the updates from Microsoft for XP and/or Office. And most of those are security updates. One of them was probably SP3 for XP, which I think I did after August 2 (see comment from retiredlearner).

Steve

 

Since you have found a restore point that works, I would stick with it.

I would install the updates in small numbers and test them for a day or so (with several reboots).

If I suspect a problem with a service pack, I go to the system manufacturer's website and find updated drivers/software (actually, I update my drivers before attempting to install a new SP).

Matt

 

hello swhitesellnj. Glad to have been of what little service I could. Hope it gets better for you.

 

I tried removing Quick Time and the Java update, but neither had any effect. I also read (on the Zone Alarm board) about some problems between XP SP3 and ZA that were corrected by completely uninstalling ZA and then reinstalling. Tried that without success also.

I had already decided to go back to the restore point that worked and then do updates in small bites when I read mattman's suggestion. I'm in the process of doing that. Without ZA and no network connection, the Welcome screen lasts about 15 seconds. With ZA reinstalled and a wired connection to the Internet, it's running about 27 seconds.

If I find out what upgrade causes the long delay, I'll post that info here. Otherwise, thanks to all who offered suggestions.

Steve

 

OK, I have re-installed all the MS updates (held SP3 until last), and I am seeing about 25 to 27 seconds of blue Welcome screen. I can live with that! But I have no idea why the Welcome screen is now 25 seconds instead of two minutes.

 

Steve, make sure your comp is clean (no malware or spam etc. ) and make sure you have shut down all anti virus programs and disconnected from the internet before installing SP3. lol Neil.

 

Neil, thanks for the suggestions. The SP3 install went well. I'm still at 27 seconds for the blue Welcome screen and 1:19 overall from pressing the power button until the desktop appears on a cold start. I'm happy!

Steve

 

Hi Steve, nice to know it worked. I have installed SP3 on 5 Home comps and been thankful for advise received here from Pete & Mike & a few others who added their help. I had to download the SP3 ISO and burn to disc for one and just took extreme care with the others. All comps work 100% OK and my main comp (this one) fires up in about 60-70 secs. Neil.