SSD slow boot, cant find cause :(

[nub1]

Hi,

I've recently, about 2 weeks ago, got a Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme 128GB SSD but it has a very slower than expected boot time, extremely similar to HDD boot time and so far i haven't been able to figure out what is causing this, I've tried to look all over the place and try solutions that worked for others, no luck.

I've tried contacting Plextor and Asus themselves @ live chat, which have not been able to help me, kinda noob customer support to be honest but i won't go into details, anyway, i am turning to you guys with hopes that you'll be able to help me out, would be very much appreciated !

To give you a bit more info about my setup:

*Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme 128gb, latest firmware (1.05).
*Asus M5A97 EVO R 2.0, latest bios (2103).
*Windows 7 64bit, latest updates.
*Yes, i am running AHCI.
*Yes, i am on SATA 3.
*Windows was installed fresh, not clone.

When booting up, the PC will get stuck at "starting windows" text for about 20 sec, the colored Windows logo will only appear after that and takes about 8 more sec to boot.

Once the PC boots up the SSD acts as expected, i don't notice any problems or slowdowns with it.

Any thoughts on what might be causing this ?

Thank you.

 

[VirtualLarry]

TBH, it doesn't sound like the SSD is the problem. It sounds like an issue with one of your boot-time drivers loading.

 

[nub1]

So any idea what could be done ?

This happened as soon as I've installed windows, without installing anything else.

 

[biostud]

which processor?

Is windows fully updated with patches etc.?

 

[ShintaiDK]

Look in windows event log.

 

[nub1]

which processor?

Is windows fully updated with patches etc.?

AMD FX 8350

Yes, Windows is fully updated with everything that comes @ Windows update.

Look in windows event log.

For what exactly ?

 

[ShintaiDK]

For what exactly ?

Errors, service start delays etc.

 

[corkyg]

Go to MSCONFIG/StartMenu. Hide all MS starts. Uncheck the rest and then see how it reboots. You can add some of the "convenience" start drivers one or two at a time, and reboot. Keep it up and you'll find the culprit. The delay is not the SSD - it is the loading of Windows in Startup.

 

[nub1]

Go to MSCONFIG/StartMenu. Hide all MS starts. Uncheck the rest and then see how it reboots. You can add some of the "convenience" start drivers one or two at a time, and reboot. Keep it up and you'll find the culprit. The delay is not the SSD - it is the loading of Windows in Startup.

Just tried now, disabled everything from Msconfig/Services (Microsoft stuff hidden) and /Startup, no difference at all

 

[ShintaiDK]

Did you check the eventlogs? Application and system.

 

[nub1]

Did you check the eventlogs? Application and system.

Yes but there are always errors and warnings there, not really sure what to look for specifically.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Yes but there are always errors and warnings there, not really sure what to look for specifically.

Always? D:

Look for service failues, start up delays, timeouts etc.

 

[Topweasel]

Simple check have you tried updating the latest chipset drivers from either Asus or AMD. Windows could have installed fine and been updating the chip-set drivers with their own compatible default drivers. Basically running the HD in a kind of Sata II safe mode.

 

[KingFatty]

There is also some utility, sorry I forget the name, that has a timeline showing you what driver etc. took what time during startup, ah can someone remind me of that utility? You can load that, reboot your computer, and it might be able to show you what the error is.

Another strategy would be to double-check your BIOS settings. Maybe even just nuke all your settings by loading defaults, then set the SSD SATA drive to AHCI, and see if it's faster. Maybe there is a hardware/USB issue, like your keyboard is failing or something got snagged, confusing the computer? A SATA cable partially disconnected/bumped?

 

[nub1]

Always? D:

Look for service failues, start up delays, timeouts etc.

I don't see any stuff in event logs that seems to be related to this .

Simple check have you tried updating the latest chipset drivers from either Asus or AMD. Windows could have installed fine and been updating the chip-set drivers with their own compatible default drivers. Basically running the HD in a kind of Sata II safe mode.

I have installed the latest chipset + AMD SATA AHCI drivers from my motherboards page @ Asus (did this before) but i notice something strange now, in device manager i see the SSD appears as "Disk Drive" not actually displaying its name, i'll attach a screenshot so you better understand what i am talking about.

It also appears to say its using Microsoft drivers from 2006, shouldnt it say its using AMD drivers ?

The weird thing is i can swear the drive didnt display as "Disk Drive" it actually showed his name in the past so thats kinda wierd, but it was still using Microsoft drivers.

There is also some utility, sorry I forget the name, that has a timeline showing you what driver etc. took what time during startup, ah can someone remind me of that utility? You can load that, reboot your computer, and it might be able to show you what the error is.
Another strategy would be to double-check your BIOS settings. Maybe even just nuke all your settings by loading defaults, then set the SSD SATA drive to AHCI, and see if it's faster.
Maybe there is a hardware/USB issue, like your keyboard is failing or something got snagged, confusing the computer? A SATA cable partially disconnected/bumped?

That utility sounds useful, would be nice if someone knows what its called.

I have indeed tried in the past reseting everything to default in the bios and also taken a look at the options to potentially spot something out of place, no luck, same result.

The drive was already set to AHCI.

I have tried now to remove all my USB devices from the PC and boot up, same result.

All SATA connections seem good .

 

[KingFatty]

Maybe try disconnecting all SATA cables. Then, choose a different SATA port, plug in *ONLY* the one SATA drive, and see if windows is happy. Also, try this where you plug the drive into the first SATA port on the motherboard, and then when you do not use that port.

 

[nub1]

Maybe try disconnecting all SATA cables. Then, choose a different SATA port, plug in *ONLY* the one SATA drive, and see if windows is happy. Also, try this where you plug the drive into the first SATA port on the motherboard, and then when you do not use that port.

I've tried leaving the SSD alone without connecting the other drives and the boot seems to be a tiny tiny bit faster but not something significant by any means, i've tried plugging the SSD into the Asmedia controller also, same stuff.

 

[ShintaiDK]

That pic seems rather odd. But I dont think the SSD is to blame. You also lack USB drivers and so on. Make sure all drivers are loaded.

 

[Elixer]

Get the latest 13.12 AMD chipset drivers, and install those, and also install the AHCI drivers, if it isn't already marked. From AMD's site, NOT windows update.

 

[nub1]

Get the latest 13.12 AMD chipset drivers, and install those, and also install the AHCI drivers, if it isn't already marked. From AMD's site, NOT windows update.

I've installed version 13.12 AMD chipset drivers from AMD's website and replaced the ones i had from Asus, no difference in anything .

Here is the install report.xml from the drivers, doesn't show any errors.

EDIT: Report.xml wasn't displaying well when I've uploaded it, I've converted it to an image now http://s27.postimg.org/bl0kkis8h/report.jpg

The SSD still displays as "Disk Drive" in device manager and still uses Microsoft drivers .

Maybe try disconnecting all SATA cables. Then, choose a different SATA port, plug in *ONLY* the one SATA drive, and see if windows is happy. Also, try this where you plug the drive into the first SATA port on the motherboard, and then when you do not use that port.

I've tried plugging it into SATA 1 and then the last SATA, it does boot faster on SATA 1 so i left it there, but i had it here to begin with so problem still exists .

 

[ShintaiDK]

Did you install the missing USB drivers?

Friend of mine had about the same issue, it was simply Intels chipsets drivers missing. And the reason was USB.

 

[nub1]

Did you install the missing USB drivers?

Friend of mine had about the same issue, it was simply Intels chipsets drivers missing. And the reason was USB.

I did now, no difference.

I've also tried to uninstall and reinstall the AMD chipset drivers after installing USB drivers, same problem.

 

[john3850]

On the boot bios disable all but your ssd.
Run a AS SSD benchmark to check your speed.
Also check your number of processors and total ram in advanced msconfig.

 

[John Connor]

Run Crystaldiskinfo and see what smart tells you. The chipset drivers shouldn't say from 2006.

 

[nub1]

I didn't have AS SSD at hand but i did have Atto Benchmark, i can download it if needed though, let me know.

Here is the info you guys have requested:

It's speeds are similar to whats advertised (340write/540read) and SMART is not saying anything is wrong with it, not sure if i should be happy about this though haha.

I've tried with only SSD plugged in earlier (and when i got the SSD), no difference.

EDIT:

The chipset drivers actually show up as AMD but shouldn't the disk drive use AMD drivers also ?

Also notice how it's not displaying the SSD's name, it just says "Disk Drive"