Slow Windows 7 boot times

pgi947

pgi947

pgi947

Soldato
Joined
25 Jun 2011
Posts
16,797
Location
Aberdeen
My primary hard drive recently died, (maxtor diamondmax10 500gb) and I replaced it on monday with a 1tb samsung F3, so after a fresh windows install it now sits and the 'starting windows' screen with the fluctuating windows logo for a good minute or so before prompting me to login to windows.

On the old drive it would go from the starting windows screen to login inside 30-45 seconds, maybe quicker. Have I foolishly missed something? or is this down to the drive being a larger capacity?

Its just bugging me is all, I will be doing a fresh install soon hopefully once I finally get round to buying an SSD.

I tried this in the windows forum and got no replys from 50 views, so I'm quite hopeful someone here could shed some light at least...
 
I believe it shouldn't matter about the larger capacity as the speed should be similiar if not the same as each platter size is 500gb each anyway unless your old hdd had 2x250gb platters instead of a single 500gb platter.
 
I'l give that a try later today, I benched the hard drive and everything seems to be in order so it looks like the problem is windows based.
 
Had the same issue a few times.

Have you got any other drives connected to the PC. Just the F3?

As suggested... type "msconfig" into the run command. Uncheck everything in the startup tab and restart. If the problem has resolved itself. Tick each box one at a time and restart. Process of elimination will soon tell you the problematic program. Once found, try reinstalling it or updating it.

I would also check your drive for bad sectors. This can cause hangs on bootup. This is why I asked if you had other drives connected. They can cause hangs if they're dodgy.
 
:eek: I know my old drive is still in the system, I'm pretty sure I left it disconnected though, but I will double check tomorrow!

I also have an HFS+ formatted external plugged in, but as windows can't natively read this would I be right in saying it should take no effect on windows booting?

As for msconfig, the hang up is occurring while 'starting windows' splash is present, taking an age to get to the windows 7 login screen, presumably meaning there are no programs attempting to boot yet?

Apparently there are some MSDN tools that will pinpoint what is holding up the boot, which I may have to look into sooner rather than later.
 
It sounds to me the windows is having problems detecting a piece of hardware, as during bootup windows has to detect all your hardware.
 
I'm going to open the case tonight and see if I left the old drive plugged in, huge face-palm for me if I left it plugged in
 
pgi947 said:
:eek: I know my old drive is still in the system, I'm pretty sure I left it disconnected though, but I will double check tomorrow!

I also have an HFS+ formatted external plugged in, but as windows can't natively read this would I be right in saying it should take no effect on windows booting?

As for msconfig, the hang up is occurring while 'starting windows' splash is present, taking an age to get to the windows 7 login screen, presumably meaning there are no programs attempting to boot yet?

Apparently there are some MSDN tools that will pinpoint what is holding up the boot, which I may have to look into sooner rather than later.
Click to expand...

If you left the old drive connected and it was bad... then chances are that's causing the issues. It happened to me a few days ago. Fixed it by disconnecting sata and power cables.

Also... msconfig does also work. I understand where your coming from, however just because you can't see the programs, doesn't mean they're not trying to load up.
 
No problem, as soon as I have finished laughing at the he-she on dragons den I'll go open up and double check, I know I left the sata cable in the case, as it will save me removing my GPU's again when it comes to getting an SSD in there, weather or not I left it plugged into the drive...I'm seriously doubting my self now lol
 
Hovin said:
That's during POST, not during Boot.
Click to expand...

Wndows needs to go through all your hardware during windows bootup aswell. So my guessing windows is having probs detecting a drive, card ect, so it gives up trying the detect it after a min or 2 (thats the long pause your experiencing) and finishes booting up windows.
 
I didn't get chance to open it up last night, but it will be the first thing I do when I have swam home in this rain haha, everything is pointing to me leaving the drive connected so we will see!
 
Just home and checked, yes the drive was still plugged in! removed it, put it in the bin, closed up and booted, now from pressing power on to windows login is about 40-45 seconds, I'm almost slightly embarrassed I over looked something so simple!
iron-maiden-albums-various-picture2293-facepalm.jpg


So problem solved, thank you everyone who helped, OCUK members you have once again come to the rescue!!

Edit: This just gets better, my dead maxtor (its a DM22 not DM10) is in warranty until the end of oct 2011! So I should get a nice shiny new seagate drive in return!!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom