Windows 7 taking too long to shut down?

Hyde99X said:

Lately I've noticed that my custom-built PC has been taking roughly 5-10 minutes to shut down, and upon start-up it takes 5-10 minutes to get past the screen for my motherboard. With my specs, I didn't think I'd have this problem. I just did a virus scan with avast free antivirus and it turned up nothing. I cleaned the disc, defragged registry, etc. but it's still taking so long to start up and shut down. And another problem is I can't even log off and log back in, if I log off, not only does that take a long time, but when I log back in the only thing visable is my cursor and my desktop never appears, it's simply a black screen (and I've left it on for hours waiting for it to load with no results). I have a Logitech gaming controller and and 3TB external HDD plugged in if that helps. My specs are:

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601)
Intel Core i5 CPU 760 @ 2.80GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
4GB RAM
Page file: 2223MB used, 5962MB available
DirectX 11
ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series

If I missed any necessary information or you need more details, just let me know. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Unplug the 3tb external hard drive and try to boot the system and shut it down. Also, don't use ANY registry defraggers or "cleaners" as those could end in bad news for Windows 7.

Hyde99X,
Welcome to SevenForums.

So that your system specs travel with each and everyone of your posts and we can also refer to them easily then please:

Code:

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

ADD the word laptop or desktop or netbook to the
“system manufacturer” block, for example,
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.

After and only after completing that, then submit following:

Code:

Install CCleaner:
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

list of STARTUP PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Windows tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept Startup.txt as file name | SAVE button

list of SCHEDULED TASKS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Scheduled Tasks tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
enter Scheduled Tasks as File name | Save button

List of INSTALLED PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button | 
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept install.txt as File name | Save button


UPLOAD the startup.txt file 
UPLOAD the Scheduled Tasks.txt file 
UPLOAD the install.txt file.

HOW TO UPLOAD
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

Links to Speccy and SIW in my signature.

forum software not functioning correctly for me and am losing links.

Hyde99X,
Welcome to SevenForums.

So that your system specs travel with each and everyone of your posts and we can also refer to them easily then please:

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

ADD the word laptop or desktop or netbook to the
“system manufacturer” block, for example,
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.
===================================================
=====================================================


After and only after completing that, then submit following:

Install CCleaner:
CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

list of STARTUP PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Windows tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept Startup.txt as file name | SAVE button

list of SCHEDULED TASKS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Scheduled Tasks tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
enter Scheduled Tasks as File name | Save button

List of INSTALLED PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept install.txt as File name | Save button


UPLOAD the startup.txt file
UPLOAD the Scheduled Tasks.txt file
UPLOAD the install.txt file.

HOW TO UPLOAD
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

Have you tried unplugging the external hard drive to see if it helps your boot time?