Erratic Windows Loading Times

IwantanewPC · 30 Apr 2006 at 23:04

When I boot my PC and it gets to the Windows XP loading screen (the black one) sometimes it'll be on for about 7-8 seconds before it moves on to the windows xp logon screen where as other times it'll hang on it for about 20-40 seconds before finally moving on.

I don't understand why this happens? it happens when i've made no changes to my pc (installed something or changed settings)

any ideas?

uknorthboy · 1 May 2006 at 10:26

Not sure if this will help but check for virus and spyware, also defrag the hard disk and empty yout temp files.

good luck

GuruJockStrap · 1 May 2006 at 10:31

Search for a Microsoft tool called Bootvis.

It optimisies boot up times by firstly analysing the Bootup sequence and then showing you in some nice charts the processes and how long each one takes.

Then its a case of simply hitting the optimise button and the program will re-arrange all the boot up files to speed it up.

Some info on it and how to use:

BootVis is a boot performance trace visualization and optimization tool. This tool invokes the built-in Windows XP boot time optimization process when you run it, instead of waiting for it to be scheduled at some unknown time (roughly every three days) by Windows. You will notice immediate improvement in boot performance for this reason.

Instructions - Download and Run. In the menu go to "Trace", select "Next Boot and Driver Delays". A "Trace Repetitions" screen will appear, select "Ok" and Reboot. Upon reboot, BootVis will automatically start, analyze and log your system's boot process. When it's done, in the menu go to "Trace" and select "Optimize System" and Reboot. This time when your system comes up, wait until you see the "Optimizing System" box appear, continue to wait until the process is complete.

Notes - BootVis requires the following services be enabled and the system rebooted before using the "Optimize System" function:

- Task Scheduler - Automatic
- COM+ Event System - Automatic

Neolink · 1 May 2006 at 11:17

yes try bootvis, im sure someone will come here and tell you it doesnt work and that ms says it does nothing etc...but it does actually work somewhat, so try it.

Hlebio · 1 May 2006 at 13:20

Do you use CCleaner mate?

If so, untick the option under system 'Old Prefetch Data'. Windows doesn't need to clean this because it does it itself when it gets too large, and cleaning it will slow down Applications, Windows and probably the boot process too.

PinkPig · 1 May 2006 at 13:25

Neolink said:
yes try bootvis, im sure someone will come here and tell you it doesnt work and that ms says it does nothing etc...but it does actually work somewhat, so try it.

And regardless of the "does it speed up boottimes?" debate, it should let the OP know what the system's doing during the 30 second pause.

IwantanewPC · 1 May 2006 at 15:00

I just downloaded Bootvis and used it, and when I opened it after rebooting it says,

'Warning! Disk write caching is disabled'

What does this mean? Is it serious?