Resolved Slow boot

When I restart my PC it takes 10-15 mins to come up to my home screen, but operation is real slow for as much as 2 hours!. During that time, the hard drive indicator is on solid showing that the hard drive is being constantly accessed. I really don't want to go through the torture of reloading Windows and was wondering if there is a good and trusted cleanup program I could get.

 

What are you trying to cleanup that you need a program for? Are you sure that you are clean?

 

I'm not sure, but I have heard that over time, the registry gets full of stuff that wasn't deleted when it should have been. Supposedly, there are programs that will clean up the registry, but I don't want to turn just any program loose on the registry, for obvious reasons.
For all I know that's not the problem at all, but I have stopped all the "startup" programs that I don't need and it didn't seem to help much. I am certainly open for suggestions.

 

The junk in the registry slows Windows down but not to the degree that you are experiencing.

It could also be some hardware problem especially if you have a normal hard disk. Run chkdsk on it or equivalent 3rd party tools. https://www.easeus.com/partition-manager-software/hard-drive-diagnostic-windows-10.html.

I would also uninstall ALL unused/unnecessary apps. Also check that you are NOT running 2 antiviruses.

 

What have you had happen prior to the slowdown?
Did you download any software?
Have you checked for Malware, virus or Trojan infestation?
Does the comp run OK after the 2 hours period?
You may need to book in with Broni.

 

Have you still got your problem?

 

Darn. I answered your questions, but I don't see the post. Musta done something wrong, so...
The slowdown has been a gradual thing. It has only recently gotten to the point where I decided to seek help.
No new software.
I do regular scans with both Malwarebytes and Norton 360. I get an occasional hit that the programs isolate.
PC runs fine after the long bootup is done.
I looked at the busiest processes during the 2 hr. period with Task Manager/processes but all I saw was a lot of service hosts, but nothing that was eating up a lot of time.

 

The printer is Wi-Fi and the keyboard, mouse, and UPS are the only USB connections.

 

My advice from previous experience, is to uninstall Symantec (Norton) completely from your comp and then see if this improves the Startup speed.
I had a problem a few years back when Norton wouldn't Finalize on install.
I had to get Symantec Techo to clear the mess which took him 3.5 hours on Remote control.
Historically Symantec were a Resource HOG!!!
Windows Defender will look after your comp while doing the job. You can always re-install Norton again if you want it.

 

I'll give that a shot. I also have Malwarebytes running, so it will keep me protected. There was an earlier post (above) that said something about running more than one antivirus program can slow things up, so maybe that's the answer.
While we're on the subject, what antivirus program do you use? I've heard that PCMatic is a good one.

 

Windows Defender which is part of Windows and is good at what it does. I have MBAM on my PC, but it is the FREE version and do manual scans a couple times a month. Also have Spyware Blaster and just keep it updated. Usually about once a week.

 

Hi SCFrance, As I stated, I used Norton for the years subscription after the "Techo" enabled the Finalization, then totally uninstalled it and I have been using MS AV ever since.
Like others have said, I use "Free" Malwarebytes manually and it's set to do a scan weekly on all my comps.
A "Reminder" pops up on the lower right side of my screen and it will do a Quick scan. I'll do a "Full Scan" every 4 - 5 weeks. I also use the "Mobile" Malwarebytes on my cellphones.

It used to be a problem a few years ago when running more than one AV program. Huge conflicts could cause real malfunctions to occur.
MS (as you should know) have their OS detect if another AV program is running, and Defender is switched OFF to prevent such conflicts.
The moment you disable a 3rd party AV --- Defender will commence to protect your system.
This has been in operation in MS OS's since Windows 8 if my memory serves me correctly. (It may have been earlier and no doubt someone may correct me).

As I said previously, Symantec (Norton) was renowned for being a Resource HOG, and slowed systems Startup quite severely.
Back in the days of XP, it was common to see users say they would Start their comp, then go make a cup of coffee while waiting for the PC to become operational!
My longest wait was 10 minutes!
MS Defender rates very highly these days as an AV program, and runs in the background with very little system resource.
My belief and reason I use MS Defender is, who better to design an AV to protect their OS?
I trust this gives you food for thought and some guidance.

 

Thanks for the info. It will probably be the middle of the week before I can try killing Norton and trying a reboot. I'll update this thread then.

 

You have 2 antivirus installed. They're going to fight & trash your system.
As Evan said, uninstall Norton. I personally don't use anything else other than MS Defender on my auxiliary computers & Malwarebytes (paid) on my main computer.

 

I have uninstalled Norton and will see if the bootup is any faster this weekend.

 

hi SCFrance, Evan asked the question about the type of Storage you had in your comp eg. SSD or HDD?
You don't list your brand or model of your comp and we are trying to help without knowing how old your computer is and what hardware it contains.
If you Open Settings > System > About > It will list your Windows Edition, Version and OS Build. It will show your Processor and RAM.
If you open Device Manager (RIGHT click Start Button) > Disk drives > Double click on drive > it should show in the configuration whether it's SSD/HDD.
eg. TS128GSSD340.
We aren't being nosey, but it does give us a better idea of what to diagnose/suggest for your problem.
I have SPECCY installed on all my comps/laptops, as it will give ALL the comp internals, hardware, software, temperatures etc.