93 second pause during boot

Good evening Geeks, I am running XP Home SP3
My computer is running extremely fine right now, best since new. The only irritation is a 93 second pause during boot between the Windows splash screen and the "Windows is starting screen" just prior to the log on screen. The curson appears at 36 seconds. This has been around for several months so I can't identify new software install that may have caused this.

I would like to think its NOT malware, I use Norton 360 and run three other programs from an external hard drive randomly every weekend. This hard drive is off except when I run these programs so there is no conflict here. Scans never find anything except cookies. There is NO hard disc chatter when I'm not doing anything.

I have only 6 programs that open at start-up. I disable services pretty much according to the BlackViper.com. I run CCleaner every night at shutdown, both clean up and the registry scan. The fan is running very quietly so over-heating is not an issue. I've run ScanNow. The registry is very clean, I manually delete left over folders belonging to uninstalled software.

I installed Soluto to find this but it only identifies the 93 seconds as System and 353MB in size.

I've run out of ideas, what could be causing this and what can I do to try to find it?

 

I know this won't help ,but, my computer has a 74 second pause in mine.It somehow happened when I was reinstalling XP spk3, and like yours it works fine,,,,for 3 yrs. so far.

 

>> The only irritation is a 93 second pause during boot between the Windows splash screen and the "Windows is starting screen" just prior to the log on screen. The curson appears at 36 seconds keni254. <<

Almost the same exact thing was happening to me a while back when I reinstalled Windows XP professional (SP3) in an old Dell dimension computer that I was setting up for a relative of mine.

I have no idea if this will work in your case but here’s what I did:

(1) Right Click on "My Computer" (on your Desktop) to reach System Properties

(2) Click on the "Advanced" tab

(3) Click the "Settings Button" in the Startup and Recovery section.

(4) Under System startup "Default operating system" in the dropdown box select "Microsoft Windows XP Home" /fast detect

(5) Checkmark the "Time to display list of operating systems" and then select the number of seconds you want (I choose 15 seconds)

(6) Checkmark the "Time to display recovery options when needed" and then select the number of seconds you want (I choose 15 seconds)

(7) Click OK for both Startup and Recovery section as well as System Properties

Then restart the computer and see if that works for you.

As I said before; I have no idea if this will actually work in your case; but this seemed to fix the problem that was happening with my relatives old Dell dimension computer.

Good Luck! COMP

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Might be your Norton is running a boot time scan.

 

Thanks Comp but I am already set up that way, and btw on a DELL Dimension 4600. BUt there may be something telling...below is my boot.ini

[boot loader]
timeout=8
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /TUTag=8Z4I4M
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Safe Mode" /safeboot:minimal /sos /bootlog

Note that following fastdetect there is further entry.../TUTag=8Z4I4M?

I have installed a utility program that I've used for years called TuneUp Utilities. Could it be that the TU tag is from that program, may have been added during its last annual update, and be the cause? Any idea what that extension might be fore (I will query TUU Support team).

 

Googled TUTag. Is from Tuneup.

http://forums.windowsforum.org/index.php?showtopic=23129

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/241614-45-boot-question

Not the same number, but should give some light.

 

>> I have installed a utility program that I've used for years called TuneUp Utilities. Could it be that the TU tag is from that program, may have been added during its last annual update, and be the cause? <<

I have also used the very useful TuneUp utilities 2011 utility program on my system as well; and it is set to run at each Windows bootup. If you wish to try stopping TuneUp utilities from startup whenever you boot-up Windows; my suggestion would be not to do this because I do not believe that this program running at each bootup actually is the source of your problem. I have installed and have used this TuneUp utilities program on both my Win XP as well as Windows 7 computers and it has never caused the trouble that you are experiencing.

In fact the TuneUp utilities program may actually help you to alleviate your problem with the delayed boot up time.

Suggestion: You might try using the TuneUp Startup Manager

Here's How:

In order to disable any of the other programs running automatically at the Windows startup (which may be delaying your boot up time); you might try running the TuneUp Startup Manager utility. Here's how…

(1) Start TuneUp utilities
(2) Click on "Optimize System"
(3) Click on "Disable startup programs."

This will bring you to the TuneUp Startup Manager which will list the names of all of your Start Up programs (in alphabetical order).

You can run TuneUp Startup Manager Utility and then "uncheck" any items which you wish 'disable' in your Windows startup. You can then view "Status" and "Evaluation" columns and decide for yourself which programs you wish to disable (or not to disable).

Important Note: TuneUp Startup Manager will actually remember which programs that you have previously unchecked; so you can easily return to the three steps listed above in order to run the program again and either return to the previous settings or to make further even changes to your startup programs in the future.

Additionally, you might also try using the TuntUp Utilities "Accelerate system startup and shutdown" utility. Here's How:

(1) Start TuneUp utilities
(2) Click on "Optimize System"
(3) Click on ""Accelerate system startup and shutdown" utility.
(4) Follow the steps provided.

Good Luck! -- COMP

Side Note: You might also consider installing the Microsoft utility “Autoruns” which (you can download from Major Geeks here) in order to evaluate exactly which programs are running at each Windows logon.


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Comp,
I do run TUU Manage Startup Programs every time I make a change to or install a program, currently have only 6 items in start up.

I ran Autoruns and noted two things:
1. there are line items highlighted in pink, I assume they are invalid registry entries, some have remarks like program not found, but
2. there are a number that point to programs on an external drive that is turned off. I wonder if the system is taking time to try to find those?

For example, the program most often identified is Super AntiSpyware. As I said earlier I use multiple virus scanners, but keep only Norton on my C drive, ALL other are on external drives that are turned off so that there is no program conflicts.

BTW, TUU has responded to my query, assigned a ticket and I am providing additional data to a tech, should have their ideas soon...

 

>> As I said earlier I use multiple virus scanners, but keep only Norton on my C drive, ALL other are on external drives that are turned off so that there is no program conflicts. <<

In any case, Norton is a great product (I use Norton 360 as well on all of my computers). However it also is also an extreme RAM hog and is notorious for slowing down the Windows start up process (as well as whenever rebooting Windows) - especially if the user does not have sufficient RAM (memory) installed. When the DELL Dimension 4600 was initially released Dell Inc. shipped the computers with a minimal amount of ram; as well as having much smaller hard drives. I know because I previously owned one and as time went on; I eventually had to upgrade my RAM memory to 2GB instead of what was originally installed by the manufacturer. I'd suggest you consider upgrading your memory as well. Nowadays a 2GB stick of RAM memory only costs around $20 or $30 dollars, and the performance difference is WAY worth it.

Here's another suggestion: Try completely unplugging the power plug as well as the USP port connection on the external drive, Then reboot Windows and see if that helps.

Side Note: >> Re: I use Norton 360 and run three other programs from an external hard drive randomly every weekend. <<

When you wrote: "As I said earlier I use multiple virus scanners" I must have misunderstood that part of your post. I didn't know you meant three anti-virus programs. Installing and then running "multiple virus scanners" on an individual computer; whether it is installed on either another internal or external drive (other than C: I mean) is never a good idea in my opinion. You are far better off just running Norton alone IMO (or choose another anti-virus program, if you have a favorite other than Norton). Running three or four antivirus programs - even if you run then separately - is eventually going to cause conflicts. I don't know of a single geek who would recommend it.

Good Luck! -- Comp

 

I will give it a try tomorrow morning, and I have added RAM, I've got 2.5GB in it now.

 

OK, I think we are on to something. I turned of the computer, unplugged all 4 USB drives, unplugged the computer for 60 seconds, plugged in and booted. So I ran a few tests.

Baseline
Original boot time with the 93 second pause + 3:23
New boot = 1:43

First I added the USB drives back one at a time turning OFF the computer between each add: Boot times were:
add 250GB = 2:04
add 500GB = 2.02
add 1TB = 2.03
add 2TB

 

OK, I think we are on to something. I turned of the computer, unplugged all 4 USB drives, unplugged the computer for 60 seconds, plugged in and booted. So then I ran a few tests.

Baseline
Original boot time with the 93 second pause = 3:23 seconds
New boot = 1:43

First I added the USB drives back one at a time turning OFF the computer between each add: Boot times were:
add 250GB = 2:04 (the drive itself was off)
add 500GB = 2.02
add 1TB = 2.03
add 2TB = 2:47 (ah ha!)

Next, I turned off, removed all USB drives, booted and then HOT added the USB drives one at a time letting the install complete between each, then restarted:

New boot = 1:43
Restart = 2:40 (the 250 was on)

SO...loading the USB drives has some impact, loading the 2TB drive has an additional 44 seconds impact. The 250 had the same impact whether it was on or off. Here is what I think:

First I need to check for driver or firmware updates for all USB drives, but

Is there a way to check the USB2 PCI card for performance. Do PCI cards have internal software, drivers or firmware? Could it be that the power output of the PCI card was maxed out with the first three USB drives, and adding the fourth, the 2TB drive, has stretched it beyond it limits?

BTW all USB drives are Western Digital, the 500GB, 1TB and 2TB are the My Book series, and the power supply in the computer is new and the replacement added 100% capacity above the OEM.

 

>> I have added RAM, I've got 2.5GB in it now. OK, I think we are on to something. I turned of the computer, unplugged all 4 USB drives, unplugged the computer for 60 seconds, plugged in and booted. So I ran a few tests. Original boot time with the 93 second pause + 3:23 New boot = 1:43. keni254 <<

That's great! You cut your boot time almost in half - terrific! And adding RAM is always a good idea. I can remember years ago when memory was prohibitively expensive; but nowadays it is so cheap and the performance level of the computer increases tenfold so it is defiantly worth it. Also it is so easy to install – takes like 5-10 minutes at most.

>> First I need to check for driver or firmware updates for all USB drives, but is there a way to check the USB2 PCI card for performance? Do PCI cards have internal software, drivers or firmware? Could it be that the power output of the PCI card was maxed out with the first three USB drives, and adding the fourth, the 2TB drive, has stretched it beyond it limits? <<

Hopefully one of the other Geeks in here; who's more astute regarding checking and updating PCI cards for performance, can help you with these questions.

Side Note: Regarding external drives: I always use surge protection for both the power cord and USB and also; as an added precaution always disconnect the USB lines from my computers immediately after I'm finished using the drives. Running the external drives all the time can prematurely wear out the drive components, and having the USB port as well as the power cord connected 24/7 (without adequate surge protection) is an accident waiting to happen IMO. Many users think power surges so are rare and likely will never happen to them; and therefore do not bother having surge protection. But I learned my lesson well in the summer of 2006 when we had a severe thunderstorm in our area and a lightning strike hit a transformer in our neighborhood.

Luckily, I actually had a surge protector connected at the time so my components and data were fine (only the surge protection unit itself was fried) but my next door neighbors did not have one and they lost all of the data on both of their family's computers - with no backup at all... Yikes!

Good Luck! -- COMP
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