Windows 7 - Long Startup Issues...

[Obi Two Kenobi]

Hey guys

I have had a genuine Win7 pro copy installed for a few months now and all of the sudden it has begun to start up slowly, or well load slowly, it happens on the 'welcome screen'. Usually it went quickly through the welcome screen but now takes maybe twice as long.

I have avast 8.4 on the startup along with Catalyst Control Center, TinySpell and Vodafone Mobile Connect.

I have tried disabling avast on the startup but it continues to load slowly.

In Event viewer, I get lots of errors regarding atksgt.sys and warnings with Tages Protection.

In Safe Mode, Win7 loads quickly, as it were before I got this problem.

My system specs:
* E2180 @ 2.22
* HD4850
* 2Gb 667 Mhz Ram
* 160GB
* 500GB

I have Hijack this logs taken in normal startup and safe mode from AnVir Task Manager. Maybe there is some clue in those logs. Here they are. 1st- Normal Startup, 2nd- Safe Mode.

Logfile of AnVir Task Manager Free v5.4.1 http://www.anvir.com
Log saved at 2010/03/14 20:59
Platform: Windows NT 6.1
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.0

Running processes:
{Not Microsoft}
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe    {CPU time=0:00}
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe    {CPU time=0:07, Memory=29 MB, PageFile=37 MB}
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashDisp.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=2 MB, PageFile=2 MB}
C:\Program Files\tinySpell\tinyspell.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=1.5 MB, PageFile=1.6 MB}
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\MOM.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=4 MB, PageFile=24 MB}
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CCC.exe    {CPU time=0:04, Memory=4 MB, PageFile=39 MB}
C:\Program Files\AnVir Task Manager Free\AnVir.exe    {CPU time=0:08, Memory=22 MB, PageFile=20 MB}
{Microsoft}
C:\Windows\System32\smss.exe    {CPU time=0:00}
C:\Windows\System32\csrss.exe    {CPU time=0:01, Memory=2 MB, PageFile=1.1 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\csrss.exe    {CPU time=0:01, Memory=6 MB, PageFile=2 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\wininit.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=3 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\winlogon.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=4 MB, PageFile=1.7 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\services.exe    {CPU time=0:01, Memory=6 MB, PageFile=3 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=6 MB, PageFile=2 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\lsm.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=2 MB, PageFile=1.1 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:01, Memory=6 MB, PageFile=2 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=4 MB, PageFile=2 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=12 MB, PageFile=12 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=9 MB, PageFile=3 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:01, Memory=21 MB, PageFile=18 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=6 MB, PageFile=2 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=9 MB, PageFile=8 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\dwm.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=21 MB, PageFile=21 MB}
C:\Windows\explorer.exe    {CPU time=0:03, Memory=34 MB, PageFile=22 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=6 MB, PageFile=6 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\taskhost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=4 MB, PageFile=2 MB}
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=3 MB, PageFile=1.1 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=3 MB, PageFile=1.1 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\taskhost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=3 MB, PageFile=1.3 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\WUDFHost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=4 MB, PageFile=1.5 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\wbem\WmiPrvSE.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=5 MB, PageFile=2 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\sppsvc.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=6 MB, PageFile=2 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=3 MB, PageFile=1.2 MB}

O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Safe Search - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: FDMIECookiesBHO Class - {CC59E0F9-7E43-44FA-9FAA-8377850BF205} - C:\Program Files\Free Download Manager\iefdm2.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] "C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashDisp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [tinySpell] C:\Program Files\tinySpell\tinyspell.exe
O9 - Extra button or menuitem: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O23 - Service: AMD External Events Utility (AMD External Events Utility) - AMD - C:\Windows\System32\atiesrxx.exe
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus (avast! Antivirus) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner (avast! Mail Scanner) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner (avast! Web Scanner) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
O23 - Service: Dragon Age: Origins - Content Updater (DAUpdaterSvc) - BioWare - C:\Program Files\Dragon Age\bin_ship\DAUpdaterSvc.Service.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Machine Debug Manager (MDM) - Microsoft Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
O23 - Service: Nero BackItUp Scheduler 4.0 (Nero BackItUp Scheduler 4.0) - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nero\Nero BackItUp 4\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: Office Source Engine (ose) - Microsoft Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Source Engine\OSE.EXE
O23 - Service: Software Protection (sppsvc) - Microsoft Corporation - C:\Windows\System32\sppsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Interactive Services Detection (UI0Detect) - Microsoft Corporation - C:\Windows\System32\UI0Detect.exe
O23 - Service: Vodafone Mobile Connect Service (VMCService) - Vodafone - C:\Program Files\Vodafone\Vodafone Mobile Connect\Bin\VMCService.exe

--
End of file - 5511 bytes

Logfile of AnVir Task Manager Free v5.4.1 http://www.anvir.com
Log saved at 2010/03/14 21:04
Platform: Windows NT 6.1
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.0

Running processes:
{Not Microsoft}
C:\Program Files\AnVir Task Manager Free\AnVir.exe    {CPU time=0:02, Memory=22 MB, PageFile=18 MB}
{Microsoft}
C:\Windows\System32\smss.exe    {CPU time=0:00}
C:\Windows\System32\csrss.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=2 MB, PageFile=1.0 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\csrss.exe    {CPU time=0:01, Memory=6 MB, PageFile=1.8 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\wininit.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=3 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\winlogon.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=3 MB, PageFile=1.0 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\services.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=4 MB, PageFile=2 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=6 MB, PageFile=2 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\lsm.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=2 MB, PageFile=1.1 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=5 MB, PageFile=2 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=4 MB, PageFile=1.7 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=6 MB, PageFile=3 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=7 MB, PageFile=3 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=3 MB, PageFile=1.1 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=2 MB}
C:\Windows\explorer.exe    {CPU time=0:02, Memory=33 MB, PageFile=19 MB}
C:\Windows\System32\ctfmon.exe    {CPU time=0:00, Memory=2 MB, PageFile=1.4 MB}

O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Safe Search - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: FDMIECookiesBHO Class - {CC59E0F9-7E43-44FA-9FAA-8377850BF205} - C:\Program Files\Free Download Manager\iefdm2.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] "C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashDisp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [tinySpell] C:\Program Files\tinySpell\tinyspell.exe
O9 - Extra button or menuitem: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O23 - Service: AMD External Events Utility (AMD External Events Utility) - AMD - C:\Windows\System32\atiesrxx.exe
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus (avast! Antivirus) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner (avast! Mail Scanner) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner (avast! Web Scanner) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
O23 - Service: Dragon Age: Origins - Content Updater (DAUpdaterSvc) - BioWare - C:\Program Files\Dragon Age\bin_ship\DAUpdaterSvc.Service.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Machine Debug Manager (MDM) - Microsoft Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
O23 - Service: Nero BackItUp Scheduler 4.0 (Nero BackItUp Scheduler 4.0) - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nero\Nero BackItUp 4\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: Office Source Engine (ose) - Microsoft Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Source Engine\OSE.EXE
O23 - Service: Software Protection (sppsvc) - Microsoft Corporation - C:\Windows\System32\sppsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Interactive Services Detection (UI0Detect) - Microsoft Corporation - C:\Windows\System32\UI0Detect.exe
O23 - Service: Vodafone Mobile Connect Service (VMCService) - Vodafone - C:\Program Files\Vodafone\Vodafone Mobile Connect\Bin\VMCService.exe

--
End of file - 4112 bytes

This slow startup is really starting to bug me. I hope someone can help me get around this.

 

[GaryJohnson]

nothing suspicious in the logs that i can see. try temporarily disabling non-microsoft services and all startup items in msconfig and reboot. Is it still slow?

 

[Muadib]

Dumb question: Did you try uninstalling avast?

 

[Obi Two Kenobi]

Nope I haven't tried uninstalling avast but then I'll have to download all the updates, again..

@ Gary. I will try that thanks. Now for something else, when I go to Performance Information & Tools, it tells me the following items are delaying my startup:

* Colin McRae Dirt
* Frontlines Fuel of War

FFow isn't even installed and Dirt isn't anywhere in the startup or services. Lolwindows

 

[Muadib]

But were they installed since you went to Win7? If so, then something went wrong when you removed them.

 

[Obi Two Kenobi]

Yep obviously. I think the easiest solution would be to reinstall windows 7 itself as there looks to be quite a few loose ends and causes to this problem. But if I may add this: I'd still like to know what could be the cause(s) to this issue. I have disabled services and startup items allover. But there might still be some issue that doesn't seem asif it can cause this problem.

 

[JackMDS]

1. Disabling AV, and or, Firewall is not like uninstalling them.

Disabling them still leaves their core processes files loaded into memory and they might intercept and slow the traffic even if the application per-se is disabled.

2. Many applications that works Internet/LAN that load at StartUp might start searching for a connection that is not yet established or do not exist, and do not let go for a while, as a result the Boot process is getting slow.

That might include Games, streaming, Network back up, and many more.

Unfortunately some of these application might leave active processing behind even when uninstalled


Working with these free two applications (StartUp & Process Explorer) might help to find the trouble.

They would show what is on StartUp, and what is loaded and run in memory.

http://www.ezlan.net/infestation.html#startup



😎

 

[Muadib]

Did you notice the issue around the time you removed Colin McRae Dirt & Frontlines Fuel of War?

 

[pcgeek11]

ATI Cat Control Center ( CCC ) will also slow the system down. Run msconfig and disable it on startup.

 

[RebateMonger]

Check the Windows System Events and Application Events logs and see what's going on around boot time. Windows 7 will often show warnings of things are taking too long.

And, yeah, atksgt.sys is part of the Tages Copy Protection system.