4 minutes to start Windows XP PRO SP2...

[BehindEnemyLines]

Even Vista RC2 booted up fine in less than half the time. I dual-boot XP and Vista, but this long boot-up started even before installation of Vista. It takes about 4 minutes from the point when the boot logo starts to a usable desktop (no hard drive thrashing).

I mostly use hibernation, so I don't know when the long bootup started. I've the following programs loaded at bootup:

ZoneAlarm PRO (already tried to uninstall this, same result)
NOD32, Notebook Hardware Control, ObjectDock, SpywareGuard, and SpywareBlaster (Internet Explorer BHO).

The problem is that there's long, continuous hard drive access after I enter in my password. Programs that are set to launch have a long delay. Why take so long? And the hard drive access? I've already defragmented the hard drive with Diskeeper.

 

[vhx]

I had this problem too where startup would take 40 seconds to several minutes. I ran bootvis and optimized it and now from windows loading screen showing up takes 10-20 seconds to load.

 

[Robor]

Any clues in Event Viewer?

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: vhx
I had this problem too where startup would take 40 seconds to several minutes. I ran bootvis and optimized it and now from windows loading screen showing up takes 10-20 seconds to load.

Keep in mind that Microsoft no longer supports or updates Bootvis so it may cause problems.

 

[thegorx]

It may be the registry, try creating a new user and see if that boots quicker,

 

[John]

The first thing you should do is start > run > msconfig > uncheck startup group & disable non-microsoft services > apply > reboot

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: John
The first thing you should do is start > run > msconfig > uncheck startup group & disable non-microsoft services > apply > reboot

Also use start > run > services.msc and kill unnecessary services from starting up (like Wireless Zero Config if you don't have wireless) - saves a tiny bit of time and RAM.

I run a really stripped-down version of XP (250MB ISO image) that boots in about 15 seconds flat cold.

 

[uberman]

Originally posted by: vhx
I had this problem too where startup would take 40 seconds to several minutes. I ran bootvis and optimized it and now from windows loading screen showing up takes 10-20 seconds to load.

I have a similar problem. What is bootvis?

 

[ForumMaster]

Try This. it's a program called TuneXP that tweaks various settings to make windows faster. Try the boot defrag and Ultra Fast Booting. what it does defrags the boot files and puts them in the fast part of the disk. makes booting really really quick.

 

[John]

Honestly before he starts tweaking the OS he needs to make sure it's not a 3rd party process causing the delay. I'd also run the hdd mfg's diag utility on the drive to make sure it's in proper working order.

 

[corkyg]

I cut my Windowes XP Pro/SP2 load time in half by simply uninstalling Zone Alarm Pro. It's a real hog ever since about a year ago. Also, disable any AV program as well.

John's MSCONFIG suggestion really should find the problem. Uncheck everything except the essentials and your load time should increase greatly.

 

[vhx]

Originally posted by: uberman

Originally posted by: vhx
I had this problem too where startup would take 40 seconds to several minutes. I ran bootvis and optimized it and now from windows loading screen showing up takes 10-20 seconds to load.

I have a similar problem. What is bootvis?

Bootvis is a program that Microsoft made that basically lets you see how long drivers, files, and other stuff takes to load during bootup. Theres an option to Optimize which makes loading faster. Although it's no longer supported, I never had problems with it. However some people said it might mess up stuff, but I never had problems like that with 2 comps.