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About Mike
Expertise
Areas of expertise: PC Hardware, Peripherals, Barcode Scanners, Printers, and Applications, Networking, Microsoft Applications. I am good at researching issues and have a lot of contacts in the IT industry. So, if I can't directly answer a question I can likely find the answer.
Areas I won't be much help in: Apple Computers, Linux, older Networking technologies like Token Ring, or Thick/Thinnet.
Experience
I'm currently a Network Administrator for a contract circuit board manufacturer in Oregon, USA.
I've been working on PCs from a hobby standpoint for better than 25 years. I've been doing it professionally for 4 years.
Education/Credentials
A+ Certification, Network + Certification, MCP, MCDST, MCSA (in process)
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You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Focus on PC Support > PC hardware--CPU & Motherboard & RAM > Computer Slow To Bootup
Expert: Mike - 10/24/2009
Question
QUESTION: Mike:
First I will tell you about my computer. I have a Dell Inspiron 530, Running 32-Bit Vista Home Premium SP2, 4gb of Ram, and the following processor: "Intel Core 2, Quad CPU Q9300 @ 2.50ghz".
My computer...all of a sudden...started taking 7 minutes (I timed it) to boot up. Once it boots up it is fine, it doesn't bog down to do any tasks, and it does NOT take forever to shut down either.
I went into MSCONFIG, to see what programs are set to start with Windows, and there is only a minimal amount of stuff in there (as I check it regularly, and empty unnecessary programs). I have Avira AntiVir Anti-Virus and I made sure it wasn't set to run a virus scan at startup, and I also have "CounterSpy" anti-spyware and made sure it doesn't do automatic scans as well.
Then I went to "Add/Remove Programs" and tried uninstalling anything recently installed (where the rest was back when there were no problems) and that didn't fix it either.
I have not tried the Error-Checking (right-click C:, Properties\Tools tab) that requires you to reboot to start the checking yet and I have not tried defragging the HDD yet (don't know if they would help or not).
One other thing I did try is Registry Booster (where you scan the registry for errors) and it did find some, and fix them (also defragged the registry) but that still didn't correct my 7 minute boot up time.
Any suggestions?
Michael
ANSWER: First thing I'd recommend is to turn on Boot Logging so your system creates a text file of all the steps it's taking during boot up.
This done by either going into Administrative Tools>System Configuration, then the Boot tab or just MSCONFIG then the Boot tab. Restart and it will create an ntbtlog.txt file in C:/Windows. That might give you some clues as it might list device errors that are happening during boot up.
After you do that, repeat the steps above but change back to Normal Startup on the first tab and restart again. This will re-enable normal booting.
Now for my initially guess as to what's causing it. Video Card. The video card is one of the first devices initialized during start up and I have seen corrupted video drivers cause the problem you are having.
You can test this by restarting and pressing F8 repeatedly to bring up the boot screen. Then select Safe Mode. Safe Mode loads only the generic Windows VGA driver so if it boots up fast in Safe Mode then a corrupted driver is likely the culprit.
I would go online to your video card manufacturer's website and download the newest driver. Save it to your desktop. Then Uninstall the video card and restart the system. Use the new driver install you downloaded and reinstall the driver.
Let me know if these ideas don't solve the issue.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Mike:
My Video card is as follows: ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO.
I just got finished upgrading it to version 8.650.0.0
That's the most current version and I used Driver Max software to upgrade the driver. The upgrade went fine (I checked in Device Manager and it confirms the new version of the Video Card) but it still takes 7 minutes for my computer to boot up.
I also remembered having installed a game on my computer (where you still need to have the CD in the tray to play the game, even after you install it) that was hard to install because it says on the disc it's for "Windows 95-98/Me" and I had to use compatibility mode for the game to work. So I figured I would uninstall the game, assuming it may have been part of the problem, and it didn't help anything.
I really thought updating the Video Card Driver would do the trick based on how you explained it to me, but despite the matter not getting worse...it didn't get better. Still takes 7 minutes to start up.
Michael
ANSWER: Well, it's possible the hard drive is dying as that would also definitely cause the same problem. That PC is pretty new so it shouldn't be that but it would be worth running the Error Checking and Defrag just to be sure.
I still suspect the video card because I have had your exact problem on a previous laptop I had with an ATi card in it.
You should go to ATi's website and make sure you have the most recent Catalyst Control Center software installed, along with the new driver you installed. Then there is also a fairly large, but well detailed, guide on tweaking settings that you can go through here:
http://www.tweakguides.com/ATICAT_1.html
It involves spending cash but a good suggestion would also to just run out and buy a new video card. nVidia is far better than ATi so that might help your system performance quite a bit.
A 'work around' to help with at least not having that problem happen as much is to Hibernate your computer instead of powering it off completely. Start up time from Hibernate is a lot faster than from being shut off completely.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Well, I tried the error checking...didn't fix it. I tried installing the latest "Catalyst Control Center" (which I heard can be problematic for some) and although it installed fine and gave me no additional problems...it didn't fix my problem. I didn't defrag yet, but am doubtful that it would correct anything now...will still try it though.
You have been very helpful and I was wondering if you would recommend any specific nVidia card. I want one at least as powerful as my current, but I don't have to get the greatest one available. I am concerned as well about installing it, hoping it's as simple as old one out...new one in.
Thanks again for everything,
Michael
Answer
That computer has a PCI Express x16 video slot so that is the type of card you want to look for.
You can just check local stores and look for cards in your price range that are:
PCI Express (or PCIe for short), x16 is the maximum speed, nVidia brand chipset (different manufacturers make cards with nVidia chipsets), and a minimum of 512MB of memory. The more memory, the better. It just depends on what you want to spend.
The nVidia Geforce 9400GT is a decent card and runs around $60. You'll benefit from making sure it is at least 512MB.
My preference for online suppliers is PC Connection because I do all my business with them at work. Here's a link on their page to that card I mentioned but, like I said, any nVidia card that meets the above specs would be a decent choice:
http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=9302460
If you find a card in a store that you are curious about you can let me know what it is and I'll give you an opinion before you buy it.
Replacing a video card is pretty straight forward and here is a couple links that will help. You want to make sure and uninstall the Catalyst Control Center software and uninstall the video card from your Device Manager like you had done once, before you put in the new card.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2026285_replace-video-card.html
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-install-or-change-my-computers-graphics-card
Don't hesitate in hitting me up for more help if you need it.
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