Why would computer suddenly start SUPER slowly?...

[bovinda]

Problem: restarted computer last night (just routine restart, hadn't installed anything). It goes thru all the text stuff as it restarts, then before it gets to the "Windows" loading screen, it lags for about 30 to 40 min on a black screen before finally starting.


What I've tried: (1) thought it might be a virus, so scanned with Norton IS 2006 (updated one day before), no viruses detected. Just in case, I am also scanning with Norton's online tool right now.

(2) Also thought it might be a registry problem (this computer has bottomed out four times over the last two years because of suddenly corrupt registries). So I restored the registry with a boot CD called Ultimate Boot CD for Windows. It's saved me before, but didn't change anything this time. So I figure not a registry problem?

(3) Hit F8 to get to safe mode selection menu and tried to load in safe mode. But same problem, takes forever to load on a black screen.


Other things I might try: maybe repair-installing Windows? Scanning for spyware with Spybot, AdAware, or a HiJack This log?



Anyone else have any ideas? Experienced similar problems?



Just in case, here's the hardware:

AMD 64 3400 (754)
Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro mobo
1 gig Corsair RAM (XMS series, 2 x 512 DDR sticks, 32MX8 PC-3200)
Windows XP Home (OEM install)
Radeon 128 9800 Pro
Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum
Antec 1000AMG case, with 530W Fortron Power supply
Two WD 120 GB hard drives
Sony DVD ROM
Plextor CD burner (PX-W5224TA)
Floppy drive
8-in-1 card reader sort-of-deal
Phone modem (PCI card)

Other relevant software...
Norton IS 2006


Any suggestions greatly appreciated! :beer:

 

[bovinda]

Bump! Help, oh wise ones! Is every body else out enjoying their labor day weekend?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Get rid of Norton IS!! I'm not kidding. My comp took 5 minuets to boot or shut down
with a fresh install of XP. Norton is crap! Read what's recommended in the software forum.
I use AVG free and have had no virus I could not get rid of over the last two years. I do not
file share, go to porn sites or use IM.

...Galvanized

 

[Atheus]

Sounds like it's trying to init some device or driver, failing, and reverting to legacy or default options. Does anything not work, or not work as expected? Graphics or network card for example?

Originally posted by: bovinda
What I've tried: (1) thought it might be a virus, so scanned with Norton IS 2006 (updated one day before), no viruses detected. Just in case, I am also scanning with Norton's online tool right now.

Norton does not detect viruses in my experience. In fact it is quite possible Norton is actually the cause of this problem... I have seen it mess up machines to the point where reinstall is the only way to remove it. For virus scans, any online one not made by Norton will be OK, Antivir and AVG are good and free, maybe you should try those. Also Microsoft Antispyware, Adaware, and Spybot.

(2) Also thought it might be a registry problem (this computer has bottomed out four times over the last two years because of suddenly corrupt registries).

Uh, why? This should never happen...

Is your hard drive OK? There are diagnostics you can run from your HD manufacturer. What about memory? Memtest86.

Other things I might try: maybe repair-installing Windows?

Last resort, but keep in mind, there's no point in doing this if it turns out you have a hardware problem.

 

[bovinda]

Atheus, as far as I can tell, once it does start, everything is working fine, without lag (basically includes browsing with IE, Civ IV playing, Excel and Word use, listening to MP3s, and AOL usage).

I'll try a different online virus scan.

The corrupt registry thing...I have no idea why it has happened. A corrupt system file each time. I've done lots of hardware checks and never found any problems (Memtest86 overnight, manufacturer's hard drive diagnostics). It happens irregularly and out of the blue, and there seems to be nothing specific that precedes it. I know it shouldn't happen, and I wish it wouldn't! 🙂

My feeling is that it isn't a harddrive problem, but I guess you never know...so...I suppose a different online virus scan, then I'll do another hard drive check, and then failing that, a repair install?

And I think I'm going to get rid of Norton shortly. It seems like it does slow everything down, though this massive slowing came out of the blue.

Anything else anyone can think of?

 

[techmanc]

Try looking at your Event Viewer seeif any problems show there also you can d/l BootVis 1.3.37.0 from http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/BootVis.shtml and that program tell you how long different items in boot are taking

 

[bovinda]

The BootVis idea seems like a really good idea! I didn't know there was software that would make a record of what was booting up and how long it took.

However, after downloading and installing it, I can't seem to get the program to work. (I'm not sure I'm using it correctly.) When I select New Boot Trace or New Boot + Drivers Trace, it first says "Failed to Initialize COM Library" or something similar, then it reboots. After it finishes rebooting (still takes about 30-40 min), when I try to start BootVis up it says that "Number of Physical drives in the trace file is 0, trace file has invalid system configuration" and then it shuts down the program before I can look at the trace. The help file doesn't seem to offer anything helpful.

Anyone know how I can use this program correctly, or of a similar program that might work like that? When I get some time later, I'm going to check out the event viewer too, I didn't know about that either.

 

[RebateMonger]

A failed or failing hard drive will make Windows take forever to boot, even if it's not the boot drive. An unreadable CD in a CDROM drive can also cause problems upon boot to the hard drive.