Windows 7: Boot time = 10 minutes (OS on SSD)

Some months ago, my PC suddenly started taking 10 minutes to boot. The shutdown time increased dramatically as well.



This happened after I installed a game (through Steam) that had some kind of DRM install with it. The install also, I recall, seemed to force a DirectX install. After that my PC started having this problem. Aside from startup/shutdown time increase (from 1 minute to 10 minutes), one software I use started acting up in one way: loading a plugin inside the software shows a progress bar "Scanning DirectX FX... " & "Scanning 2/7: Tee/Sink-to-Sink Converter". The problem with this, is that it now takes like 30 seconds when it was nearly instant before.

Otherwise everything seems fine. Really hope I don't have to do a clean OS install. Attached images of event viewer, which show the 3 errors beginning at startup.

It's a software problem I'm pretty sure, you can test that theory by going to start bar search box typing msconfig , hitting enter, then going to the startup tab and unchecking everything.

If I'm right and this does solve the problem on reboot I would start rechecking items one at a time until you find the culprit.

Definitely let us know of the suggestion from Maguscreed puts you on the correct track.

The reason I say that is that there are a couple of other possible causes, although most common is a program in your startup list.

Be sure to stay away from torrent software and torrent sites which are notorious for causing this type of problem.

Thanks very much for the replies.

I've tried the startup items thing many times over the months (just tried it again, no luck). (My startup is normally limited to MSE, Comodo, video card, audio card, and USB monitor). I've put some time into looking up the errors and trying to figure it out, but to no avail. My suspicion is that something is hanging on startup and waits to time out...

Some more facts:
- My motherboard is a recalled (early Sandy Bridge) model.
- I don't use torrents (Steam is a legit digital distributor)
- USB flashdrives can take a couple minutes to be recognized after being plugged in.
- DVD drive appears to not function (inserted disk not seen by system)

I would run a system file check
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

In your startup items:
Is Comodo the firewall (only)? If so, can you disable it use Windows firewall for testing?
What is USB monitor? Do you need it, or can you disable it for testing?

I'm guessing you don't have a restore point from before the problem started.

Some SF tutorials that may help:
Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup
Gathering a Startup, Shutdown, Sleep, Hibernate, or Reboot Trace
Optimize Windows 7

Also, I would not dismiss malware as a possibility, and would scan for that if nothing else fixes this...

Bob,
Your brother John has suggested:
1. Update your system specs.
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.
===================================================

2. wants to know if this computer is part of a home network

============================================

3. says we need:
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
============================================

Desires to see:
HOW TO POST A SNAPSHOT OF DISK MANAGEMENT DISPLAY
Run disk management:
WIN | type DISKMGMT.MSC | ENTER
WIN=key with Microsoft logo on top.


Maximize the output of Disk Management:
ALT-Spacebar key combo | X key (selects Maximize) |
Drag the field separators (such as between Status and Capacity) to show entire field.


Make a snapshot:
WIN | type SNIPPING | ENTER | New
Drag the cursor around the area you want to snip.
File | Save as | select save location and name | Save


Post the snapshot:
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

======================================================

Asks: What AV solution are you presently using?

You guys are gonna laugh. After seeing my brother Johns list of demands, I said to myself "screw it", opened the box and pulled out the cdrom cable. ...Booted up in 20 seconds. LOL

Event viewer still reports failed driver load (I think there are solutions to that out on the web). Anyway, I'm content to just get an external DVD and call it a mission accomplished.

Thanks for your time and suggestions guys! Sometimes it just takes a little bit of talking & reflection to solve problems "creatively".

/edit
You know whats weird... the whole OS/apps are running slightly faster now, and the "Tee Sink/Direct X FX" problem is gone too. Computers... they work in mysterious ways ><

Good.

Glad to hear that sailing is smoother.

To help when viewing the event logs, you might find helpful to clear them all first. Makes separating the wheat from the chaff easier.

Clear Event Logs Using a Batch File.zip

Great! Thanks Karl

Check if you have a firmware update for your CD drive which was hanging startup.

If not plug it back in to another port to see if it is still problematic. If so I'd replace it.