[Solved] Slow boot with Intel SSD.

[Denithor]

I have an Intel 320 120GB SSD as my boot drive in my HTPC, running Win7 HP.

When first set up, it would boot Windows in under 15 seconds (from end of post). It slowed down appreciably over several boot cycles until it was taking about 45 seconds to get to a usable screen.

Last weekend I updated to the latest Intel SATA AHCI drivers and it immediately went back to booting in 15 seconds. For about 10-20 boots. Now, several days later, it's back up to 45 seconds of Windows loading time.

Anyone have any suggestions to try?

 

[Burner27]

You have the latest FW on the drive? What software is loaded on the HTPC? Specs of the PC please. Have you tried to secure erase the drive?

 

[Coup27]

A list of startup items would also be useful.

 

[tweakboy]

How about if it's a virus....

I dont think he has much startup programs, 15 seconds would be, When the Window flag turns full and drive activity begins. Stop it after you see your desktop icons and tray icons. gl

 

[tweakboy]

Now let me try to help you.

Ok it worked then what, Did you install anything new , or just reboot couple times and this started, ?

 

[Denithor]

For specs, it's the first system in my sig. Only thing not listed is an Earthwatts 500 PSU so no worries on that regard.

It's not a virus, have AVG up to date and do full scans every day. Along with Spybot and Malwarebytes.

For startup stuff, have disabled everything I can in msconfig, not sure what else to try. Is there an easy way to see a list of what does start up when system boots?

For reference though, the system seems to sit there for like 30 seconds with no hdd activity (no flashing IDE light) and then suddenly that starts flashing and within seconds I'm booted to the Windows desktop and everything is super fast. No problems at all once into Windows.

 

[Lachlan Ronan]

Must appreciate.

 

[KillerBee]

You can create a boot log with ProcessMonitor:

http://www.msigeek.com/6231/how-to-enable-system-boot-time-logging-using-process-monitor-tool

The log will be super detailed but maybe it will show a 45 second break
and what was last started around that time

When you reboot after enabling the logging it will ask if you want to convert it - click Yes - and then wait a while till it converts it - it will open automatically when finished (couple minutes)

 

[KingFatty]

Is the pause part of the bios boot up, or after bios under windows?

 

[Burner27]

Perhaps maybe there is a conflict between Malwarebytes-Spybot-AVG? Try uninstalling Malwarebytes and Spybot and see if your boot times decrease.

 

[KillerBee]

You can create a boot log with ProcessMonitor:

http://www.msigeek.com/6231/how-to-enable-system-boot-time-logging-using-process-monitor-tool

The log will be super detailed but maybe it will show a 45 second break
and what was last started around that time

When you reboot after enabling the logging it will ask if you want to convert it - click Yes - and then wait a while till it converts it - it will open automatically when finished (couple minutes)

PS: The guy who wrote Process Monitor - Mark Russinovich just put out a blog

The Case of the Veeerrry Slow Logons
http://blogs.technet.com/b/markrussinovich/archive/2012/07/02/3506849.aspx

in the end his problem was just trying to restore network drives
but is an example of how to use it.

I'm wondering if your hang up may be network related - Windows Media Sharing

 

[Denithor]

Is the pause part of the bios boot up, or after bios under windows?

Pause is during Windows loading, BIOS post goes quickly (<10 seconds). Once it gets to the four color Windows loading screen, it just sits there for like 30-40 seconds.

No interference between my various spyware/antivirus programs, I run the same three on both my systems and also on like 5-6 family/friends boxes that I maintain. And the two spyware/malware programs only run when started manually.

ProcessMonitor - I loaded, rebooted, looked at the ENORMOUS list it generated. Not sure what I'm looking for - can you give guidance here? Don't want to post this list, it's crazy long.

 

[Denithor]

Did some additional internet searching, came across an older post here on the forums:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2140860

Tried the trick of disabling DVD drive from boot options.
Now into Windows within 10 seconds of end of BIOS post. So like 20 seconds total.



Total win here!!

 

[tweakboy]

Great to hear you fixed it,, thats a crazy fix, very nice...

10 seconds ...... how many icons do you have in the system tray ????

There is no way your booting in 10 seconds unless you have 0 apps that come up at system start. ? gl

 

[chimaxi83]

Great to hear you fixed it,, thats a crazy fix, very nice...

10 seconds ...... how many icons do you have in the system tray ????

There is no way your booting in 10 seconds unless you have 0 apps that come up at system start. ? gl

He said 10 seconds after BIOS post. That's well within SSD territory, my M4 is loaded into Windows in about 20 seconds total, and the POST takes 12 or 13 seconds of that.

 

[Zap]

Tried the trick of disabling DVD drive from boot options.
Now into Windows within 10 seconds of end of BIOS post. So like 20 seconds total.



Total win here!!

:thumbsup: Always nice to hear how stuff turned out. Crazy how something so minor can have such a big impact.

On my current rig, if my Sandisk Sansa MP3 player is plugged into a USB port, the machine won't boot.