Laptop Takes 9 1/2 Hours To Start (No Lie)

[skulkingghost]

Hello Anandtech

Around my neighborhood I am known as the tech guy, and thus frequently get sad pcs dumped on my doorstep begging to be fixed. I usually have no problem, but this ones got me stumped.

It is an HP Pavillion xt375 Laptop

It had a faulty hard drive, and wouldnt boot to windows, so I replaced the hard drive, installed windows (which only went to the second graphical part of the install when I let the laptop sit for over 6 hours) Once it was installed, it restarted, and needed just over 9 HOURS to boot into windows, it just sits there with a little blinking "-" in the top left, then eventually the screen goes black, and 9 1.2 hours later windows boots.

Now heres the crazy thing, windows runs like a champ once its booted into. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[cprince]

Check the BIOS boot order. I think that it's trying to network boot first before booting from the hard drive.

 

[crimson117]

Did you try booting into Safe Mode? Did that take a long time too?

 

[skulkingghost]

I have hard drive listed first in the bios. I have not tried it in safe mode yet since you dont see the windows screen for a few hours.

 

[cprince]

I think that there is a hardware or BIOS issue. It seems like the BIOS is testing some hardware(probably RAM) or waiting for something to response. Try clearing the BIOS, which could be a pain because you have to disassemble the computer and take out the CMOS battery for a few minutes. Check to see if there's a BIOS update.

 

[RebateMonger]

Run the CD version of the drive manufacturer's disk diagnostics on the controller/hard drive system and see what it reports.

It wouldn't hurt to run an overnight Memtest86 or Microsoft System Memory test either.

 

[skulkingghost]

no bios updates, I guess a dissasembly will be in order.

 

[montag451]

Hi,

Can you try disabling EVERYTHING that isn't crucial to it booting in the BIOS (ie, floppy, cd, network etc etc).
Also, what happens if you try SAFE mode into Windows?
AND, is this Vista, XP or what os?

Cheers

 

[skulkingghost]

Hello,

I cant disable them because hp has a VERY limited bios screen.

Safe mode wont work since I dont get to the windows screen for 9 1/2 hours, unless theres a way other that shutting the power off in mid windows load to get into safe mode?

It is windows XP

 

[montag451]

Hi again,

If you are on Broadband, dl a distribution of Knoppix - Just see if it boots up ok - Its a live cd, so it won't make any alterations to the hdd - neat, eh.
If that takes 9 1/2 hours to boot up, then try the distance test*.




*Distance test:
Need a tape measure

Instructions:
Throw said annoying laptop as far as you can.
Measure distance.
Please post results, one way or another.

 

[skulkingghost]

downloading knoppix now. The laptop will be going out a window, should I count the distance to the ground?

 

[montag451]

Yes, it must be measured to the nearest cm.
If by any chance the lappy happens to encounter someone/something on its brief journey, this must be included in the report, preferably with pics.

 

[skulkingghost]

I got my DSLR ready, just waiting on the Imax camera to be delivered.

 

[montag451]

I just looked up the rules for the distance test.
You may be in breach of para 3 which states something about only horizontal testing should be attempted. Sounds more fun your way, with less effort. Bless Newton.

 

[skulkingghost]

slingshot perhaps then?

 

[montag451]

Can you attach a jet propulsion device - best to head over to highly technical for more info.

Unfortunately its bedtime for me (UK) but look forward to the results. Good luck.

 

[skulkingghost]

knoppix worked fine. hmmm

 

[montag451]

OK great news.

Hold the distance test for now.

This narrows it down to a hdd problem or winxp prob.

Have you got any hdd diagnostic software that can be booted into?

 

[skulkingghost]

bios reset helped alot, its down to like 5-10 minutes so im packing it up and calling it done. Thanks for the help.

The distance test shall happen with another faulty appliance, perhaps my ceiling fan which really needs to learn to spin the **** faster.

 

[montag451]

Nice one.

Don't suppose you want to go through the BIOS settings and see which one was causing the hitch, do you?

 

[montag451]

Nice one.

Don't suppose you want to go through the BIOS settings and see which one was causing the hitch, do you?

 

[montag451]

Nice one.

Don't suppose you want to go through the BIOS settings and see which one was causing the hitch, do you?

 

[skulkingghost]

I would, but HP seriously cripples the bios settings, I can choose from boot order, and whether it reads the cpu serial number and that is it. So I am guessing it reset some setting I do not have access to.

 

[montag451]

OK, but nice one for posting back with the fix.

Nice shooting the shti with ya.

 

[skulkingghost]

It was fun, we will probably be doing it again soon. Same lady has ANOTHER pc with (what she thinks is) a bad hard drive. This brings it to 3 pcs dead in a month, so perhaps we shall meet again soon if this pc stumps me.