XP Bootup time = 4Ever... Help!!

[Typiko512]

I just installed Windows XP Pro and for some reason the boot up time is so looooooooooooooooong!!! At least a minute during that black screen with XP symbol on it (first splash screen) and another 30~40 seconds in the desktop (blank). Everything works fine while I'm doing stuff with it (except the fact that my DVD-Rom by Pioneer won't read burned CD's and that is making me mad too). My computer ain't slow and the system temperature is @ 35c! Don't have any hardware conflicts, errors, or weird messages popping out. So I can't figure out WHY o WHY is my XP so freaking SLOW??? Please help! Appreciate it!

 

[bjc112]

i have that same delay at the desktop... but not at bootup, i think the desktop delay is the network cards... not positive though...

let me look around, there was a thing that could help lower your boot time in XP..

 

[bbarnes]

My XP bootup time is greatest out of any previous Operating System I have tried, though I only have 1 icon on my desktop, I still get no delays there, and on the splash screen it only takes 10-15 seconds max...

 

[alrocky]

It might be your NIC. Remove it and see if XP boots faster. If so, you may wish to assign a bogus IP address for your ISP. A search should reveal a thread with a sample IP address you can use. (Going from 56k to NIC on Win98 added about 30-45 second longer boot. XP boot was super fast until I installed the NIC.)

 

[Typiko512]

Yeah I know about the NIC delay in XP cuz I had the same problem with my other PCs. Too bad I don't know for sure if its really the nic or there's another way to cut that delay time. ME only took 11 seconds to boot up to desktop and xp is forever sigh. Thanks for those who are lookin for the prob for us lazy buttz!

 

[NzAnE2K]

It stops at the desktop because it needs to start the network. I dont know why it stalls at bootup tho.

 

[Doh!]

Run bootvis.exe and found out how long each of the startup processes takes & then optimize your startup.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

<< Yeah I know about the NIC delay in XP cuz I had the same problem with my other PCs. Too bad I don't know for sure if its really the nic or there's another way to cut that delay time. ME only took 11 seconds to boot up to desktop and xp is forever sigh. Thanks for those who are lookin for the prob for us lazy buttz! >>

It is the NIC. You wouldn't happen to have a cable modem would you? DHCP enabled, hmmmmmm? I've got the same problem. I'm 100% sure it's my NIC, and it's something to do with DHCP initialization. When I find out what the solution is I'll post and let people know.

 

[btvillarin]

I'll direct you to my website page to improve Windows XP system performance. (Don't count it out yet! It has this exact tip to improve boot time.)
Read the 4th tip

 

[toant103]

check your ide connection.

 

[Typiko512]

Yeah I have cable and DHCP is on. I also have a Linksys router so maybe that's why it takes so long? But is there a configuration or a tweak to improve the bootup speed but without sacrificing my cable performance? Weird thing is this doesn't happen to other OSs that I have used b4. As for the connection between the HDD and the mobo... seems fine to me...

please help... before I remove XP AGAIN Appreciate it

 

[Typiko512]

<< Yeah I have cable and DHCP is on. I also have a Linksys router so maybe that's why it takes so long? But is there a configuration or a tweak to improve the bootup speed but without sacrificing my cable performance? Weird thing is this doesn't happen to other OSs that I have used b4. As for the connection between the HDD and the mobo... seems fine to me...

please help... before I remove XP AGAIN Appreciate it >>



BTW I just read about the NTFS article from microsoft (thanks btvilarin!) and it says that it's better to use NTFS over FAT32. True? Anybody tried it? Recommendations? Thanks

 

[btvillarin]

If you only have Windows XP running on your computer, you might as well run on NTFS. I really think it's more efficient. I haven't experience errors or anything with it. If your system crashes, there's a less chance of any file corruption. You can see the pros also in the AnandTech FAQ for the same subject, too. Link

 

[Typiko512]

Kool, I'll try it out. Just to be sure though, do I do the full format in the xp prompt? And if you don't mind can tell me why is it "better?" Just something to learn that's all Thanks

 

[daveqb]

well let me throw my spanner into the works. I have installed XP recently too & from getting Win98SE down to 45seconds from the time i flick the switch to the desktop ready to having to put up with XP taking 2:34 seconds from the time i flick the switch to desktop ready. I am on dial up & have no network connections at all.

figure that out hey!

 

[btvillarin]

Typiko512:
It's better to do a full format. Better to be thorough and safe, than quick and perhaps have bad sectors or something. (I'm sorry if I don't sound that technical, but I'm still learning as well.) As for reasons why NTFS is better, this might be extraneous to what a lot of AnandTech elite members might say, but seriously read that FAQ about this subject. It should answer you question.

daveqb:
Even if you don't have any network connections, I'm wondering if you still have a NIC or integrated NIC. Check out this page to try and tweak it to boot up faster, if you haven't already. Also, you can check Blkviper's Services Configuration to see if there are any extraneous services that you might not need to start up automatically. Make sure you make a backup image, or a system restore point before continuing with this. Either that, or write down what services you change, and what their entries previously were. Good hunting!