serious xp boot issue

I have searched for this everywhere, can't seem to find a match for this problem.

I have an ECS board with a pentium D 3.0ghz dual core, 2g mem, 2X sata drives and a pioneer dvd burner running xp sp3. (before I start, sp3 is not the prob, same occured on sp2)

This has happened several times. Everything runs ok for a while, then for some reason, windows boots extremely slow. When it gets to the logon screen, I choose restart, and everything boots fine the second time. If I dont restart, then the entire machine runs slow. This happens everytime. As long as I restart the machine, then no matter how many times I restart after, everything is fine. If the machine is shutdown completely, I have to go through the process again. I've reinstalled windows, and everything runs fine for a while, then bang. It's completely noticable the instant windows begins loading, so I dont believe its any software installed, and if it was a driver, why would a restart fix it everytime. I do know that my microsoft mouse/keyboard cause bios hang, I have a bluetooth setup that causes post to take considerably longer but once again, why would restart fix it, and why would it run fine for a while after a windows reinstall? I am pulling my hair out here, and I would seriously appreciate any help (or borrowing of a weapon to put xp out of its misery!)

 

I would throw the whole enchilada of diagnostics at the PC: run a RAM test, a full hard drive(s) test(s), video card and CPU tests. The memory and HD can be tested using bootable utilities, but the CPU and video card must be tested using programs that run from Windows. There's another thread here where the issue is DPC's causing some slowness issues and maybe some of the info there applies to your situation. Have you checked the ECS web site for a possible BIOS update or a driver update? Have you tried using the 'fail safe' settings in your BIOS? Anyway, here's some links that should help:
ECS Support Web Site http://www.ecsusa.com/ECSWebSite/Support/Category_Support.aspx?MenuID=3&LanID=9
Windows Memory Diagnostic http://www.majorgeeks.com/Microsoft_Windows_Memory_Diagnostic_d3955.html (run the program in Windows to create a bootable floppy disk or an ISO image to burn a bootable CD)
You didn't mention your hard drive maker so I can't link you to their diagnostics...
You can test your video card by running one of the 3DMark benchmark utilities in a loop, or use one or more of these:
Video Card Stability Test http://www.majorgeeks.com/Video_Card_Stability_Test_d5404.html
Video Memory Stress Test http://www.majorgeeks.com/Video_Memory_Stress_Test__d5896.html
Artifact Tester http://www.majorgeeks.com/Artifact_Tester_d201.html (an older tool aimed at overclockers but should be good to test overall video stability)
Here's a good CPU diagnostic that also checks other areas of your PC http://www.majorgeeks.com/CPU_Stability_Test_d215.html
There's a bunch more diagnostics in the Major Geeks Diagnostics download section here > http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads7.html
Some 'all purpose' hard drive diagnostics:
Disk Checker http://www.majorgeeks.com/Disk_Checker_d258.html (free for 30 day trial period)
Disk Checkup http://www.majorgeeks.com/DiskCheckup_d3464.html (report drive SMART and other details)
Check the Drive Utilities section for more programs http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads8.html
Here's some other system performance/stability programs:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download160.html
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Passmark_BurnInTest_Standard_d4234.html
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads4.html (benchmarking/stability programs)
And here's the thread that discusses DPCs that may be slowing down the PC, some of it might be a bit technical, but just read it slowly and Google any terms you don't understand. There's some links in the thread to some programs to download as well as links to some other DPC (Deferred Procedure Call) info
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=156331

I hope all this helps you somehow! Good luck and keep us posted!
:major

 

Sorry, almost forgot to come back and update this thread. Replaced the hard drive and I am now in heaven. Odd thing is that SMART showed a spinup time of about 60 seconds, yet PASSED THE HARD DRIVE AS OK!!!! I would think that such a huge spinup time would be an indicator of a major motor problem. Any rate, brand new SATA drive, and everything is running great. Thanks

 

:celebrate :dancer :hyper
As I was re-reading your first post, I was thinking "I bet it's the hard drive" then I scrolled down some more and saw that I had already posted and then I checked the date.... anyway, I'm happy to hear that all is well. If the original slow, faulty drive is under warranty, you can get it replaced for free if you haven't done so already. Most new hard drives have a minimum 3 year warranty.