Slow boot

to the OP: I would ask Dell for a windows install disk that doesn't have any of the factory apps. If you zeroed your HDD and reinstalled windows minus the factory bloat you should get a boot time of about 25-30 seconds with your current hardware, provided you uncheck the run at startup option on everything else you install.. and that's from power-on to a usable desktop.

Lemur said:

AllanP said:

madtownidiot said:

IF you really want a fast boot, try linux.. takes 9 seconds from POST to internet connectivity in my Dell D800

I've been using Linux for years; three flavours on my PC, but tired of fighting to get things to work that Windows 7 does pretty much without a hitch, so my Ubuntu, Fedora and Suse are gathering dust.

You could install a virtual pc on Ubuntu (I did) to run both OSes.

I know this is off topic, but there are a quite a few things in linux that I wish Microsoft would adapt.. such as requiring a password to install applications or make global changes in system settings even when logged in as an administrator, and the built-in multiple desktop feature comes in handy when running multiple apps and VMs. The laptop I use for fixing customers' computers on site is a linux machine with 32 and 64 bit VMs of xp, vista and 7, and I can run them all simultaneously if I need to .. it's a very useful tool. Also, there a quite a few applications in linux that have no windows equivalent. I can think of a few instances, like file transfers and media conversion, where linux just gets things done faster.. bottom line.. gotta use the right tool for the job

gregrocker said:

Scan your HD with Malwarebytes and MS Security Essentials. Uninstall any AV to leave MSE as real time protection. You may need to leave it checked in msconfig, tho.

Remove the virtual desktop manager and LogMeIn programs using Revo in Advanced mode to see if boot returns to normal.

Google repeat errors in Performance Log on Advanced Tools page accessed by clicking WEI score at Computer>Properties.

Yes I've done Malwarebytes. All is OK once up and running and actually I rarely shut down; just sleep. Here is a copy of my WEI. How does it look compared to others?

madtownidiot said:

to the OP: I would ask Dell for a windows install disk that doesn't have any of the factory apps. If you zeroed your HDD and reinstalled windows minus the factory bloat you should get a boot time of about 25-30 seconds with your current hardware, provided you uncheck the run at startup option on everything else you install.. and that's from power-on to a usable desktop.

Surprisingly My Dell Studio 1747 came with a Win7 install DVD so I formatted and loaded without bloatware.
By accident I think I discovered why it was taking five minutes after the boot appeared complete before I could do anything. I thought I'd give MS A/V a try. Previously I was using F-Prot by my cable provider. I uninstalled it and installed MSE and my desktop was usable right after boot; 1:45 according to Soluto. I'm sure you wizards could shave my boot time down, but I'm happy with 1:45.

Or just uncheck everything in msconfig>Startup except AV and gadgets/stickynotes. The others are freeloaders on your startup/RAM/CPU and can spy on you.

Check the Performance log on Advanced Tools accessed by clicking WEI score at Computer>Properties. It will reveal which programs/drivers are slowing startup. Google to resolve the issues.

Your startup shouldn't be much more than 30 seconds with correct drivers and less cluster-start.

Lemur said:

As madtownidiot said earlier, type msconfig. Click on "startup", widen the "startup item" column, and provide a screen capture for us.

Had to do two snips as Msconfig window wouldn't expand.

uncheck everything and reboot.. trust me.. it will still boot and everything will still work.. you'll just have to start it manually