Wierd browsing boot up problem after new build

TORB · 19 May 2013

Hi Good Peoples,

I have just reinstalled all my software onto a new SSD. All is well except for one problem.

I have set Outlook and Firefox to load at boot up time. Once the computer has booted, (less than 50 seconds) Outlook immediately opens as per normal. However, it takes almost 3 minutes for Firefox to load. If I try and load IE manually, it takes the same time and opens when Firefox opens. So this problem effects both browsers. However, Outlook email downloads normally.

I have watched the task manager processes, and the processor is about 99% idle during the wait time. Firefox shows as being at 5064K for the three minutes wait, and then changes to about 83800K once the program launches.

Here are the steps I have been through to try and work out what is the cause of the problem.

1. Disabled all extensions and add-ons in Firefox and rebooted. Did not fix (Dnf.)
2. Tried above but took Firefox out of Startup Menu and then manually tried to open it once system had rebooted. (Dnf)
3. Used MS Config to turn off all non Microsoft Services and all Start Up items. (Dnf)
4. Re-enabled back to normal configuration, and restarted in Safe Mode with Networking, and Firefox loaded as soon as the shortcut was pressed.

5. Started in normal mode and problem is back again.

Once either browser has loaded once, if it is closed, it reopens in the normal time.

As its happening with both browsers, it seems like it a windows issue and not a specific browser issue.

Any suggestions please?

A Guy · 19 May 2013

I'd be looking at your Security program(s) or firewall. See if they remained active even after disabling the services and start up items (not unusual they will not allow themselves to be terminated in this manner). Since the clean start had no effect, but safe mode works fine, it would be my 1st guess. A Guy

TORB · 19 May 2013

Easy enough to get the Firewall disabled so that it did not show up in the Task manager but to completely stop the (four letter words) Avira Anti Virus I had to do a complete uninstall of the program.

Then I tried it with all the Firefox extensions and add-ons disabled, but it did not fix the problem!

A Guy · 19 May 2013

As you say, with 2 different browsers, it's not a browser issue. Even a delayed start service wouldn't take 3 minutes. Do you have any external USB devices connected during boot? It's possible Soluto will give you a clue as to what is loading just before the browsers start working again.

Soluto - CNET Download.com

There are lots of good programs to show what autostarts with windows, but most don't have a timestamp. It's an odd one. A Guy

TORB · 19 May 2013

Thanks for the suggestion. Downloaded and installed Soluto and after removing the **** ad wear that came with it, finally worked out how to use it.

The boot took 38 seconds, the longest item being the System that took 9 seconds, followed by Avira which took 8 seconds.

No crash reports with more than 1 instance.

So, it look like info is not going to be much help.

A Guy · 19 May 2013

Sorry about the adware, I linked to CNET as the orignial site wants you to sign up to download. Apparently what Soluto considers the end of boot is long before whatever occurs to allow FF to connect. You might try pinging a website as soon as able after booting, see if the connection is there, or open Windows Update which uses IE to connect. See if the ping or WU works before the 3 minutes. If both work, it's the opening of the browsers that are the issue. Do you have anything in common? Add-ons, or ExploitShield, or WOT, etc? A Guy

TORB · 19 May 2013

I think we are getting somewhere, but the trouble is I am not sure "where" we are getting.

Interesting....... As soon as it booted, I used ping and it responded positively, so we do have a connection.

Next, I used the Task Mangler to kill Firefox which showed it at about 5000k. Then I hit the Firefox shortcut and bingo. It opened immediately and the Task Mangler showed it at approx 84000k. That sounds like something is stopping Firefox from loading completely, so now I guess we have to work out that that something is.

Edit
I have not loaded anything into IE as I virtually never use it.

I downloaded Chrome and installed it too. When I rebooted, I could open it immediately unlike IE and Firefox.

Then I deleted the Firefox shortcut from the Startup items and rebooted.

Well %^$#&* me. I then hit the same shortcut and Firefox opened straight away.

TORB · 21 May 2013

Any other suggestions please?

A Guy · 21 May 2013

So the only issue is FF in startup at boot? Not opening the browser manually from any shortcut? How are you setting FF to autostart? Have you tried the same method again after deleting it? Never know it just may work. A Guy

TORB · 22 May 2013

100% correct. If I click on the shortcut after boot up, it loads normally (provided its not attempting to start automatically.)

I have tried the auto boot a number of way. Firstly, but using msconfig. Then I tried putting the shortcut into the Startup Folder. Finally I tried adding the shortcut by adding it to Code Stuff Starter.

When it boots up, FF is obviously stuck in some weird holding pattern as it shows about 6,000k in the task manger, but when it finally finishes loading, its >150,000K.