Very slow boot up.

Moonshine · 18 Feb 2021

I have a fairly old laptop which has been getting slower and slower to boot up. I had a similar problem on my desktop machine a while back and cured it by re-loading the O/S and starting again. However, I have Win 7 professional on the laptop and no O/S to replace it as it doesn't have a disk drive. I don't have 7 professional on disk anyway. Is there any easy way to clear out the crud that seems to be clogging up my laptop without having to re-install Windows. Not too technical please as I am a retired person with no specific IT skills.

I have done the usual stuff like a defrag and disk cleanup with little effect.

samuria · 18 Feb 2021

If you have a valid serial you can download the iso from https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/soft...nload/windows7

There is also Download Windows 7 ISO Legally - Official Direct Download Links [32-64 Bit] - TechPP

First check your startup whats running at start try going into safe mode if thats fast you know its somthing at start

Moonshine · 18 Feb 2021

Thanks for your reply Samuria. However I'd rather not have to reload if I can help it, and in any case I do not have the product key. It's a reconditioned Dell laptop which came with the O/S pre-loaded and I've had it some years. There is a certificate of authenticity sticker underneath it, but it's completely unreadable. The number has long since worn away. I will try safe mode and see how that goes. Thanks again.

Megahertz07 · 19 Feb 2021

For now, don't worry to get the Win 7 installation files.
Your priority is to boot the laptop and retrieve the installation key to use on a re installation.

Run MGAdiag to find out what kind of license it is using.

If the license type is SLP run Activation Backup and Restore (ABR) to create a license backup

I the license is retail or OEM, run show key plus
Download ShowKeyPlus - MajorGeeks

Once you have found what license is on the computer, I will provide a link to download Win 7 iso

Moonshine · 19 Feb 2021

Hi, thanks for your reply, this is what I got;

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->

Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-M3DJT-4J3WC-733WD
Windows Product Key Hash: xo+ajVSpae7/4VoZjS7m6JL0f3A=
Windows Product ID: 00371-OEM-8992671-00524
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048
ID: {4B19EC1A-31C5-4FBB-90EC-3F53A14D5862}(3)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Professional
Architecture: 0x00000009
Build lab: 7601.win7sp1_ldr_escrow.190220-1800
TTS Error:
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/A

Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

I'm a bit out of my comfort zone here. I tried running your ABR link and nothing happened. It looks like I have a partial product key there, but I seem to have hit a wall.

Megahertz07 · 19 Feb 2021

Moonshine said:

Hi, thanks for your reply, this is what I got;

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->

Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-M3DJT-4J3WC-733WD
Windows Product Key Hash: xo+ajVSpae7/4VoZjS7m6JL0f3A=
Windows Product ID: 00371-OEM-8992671-00524
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048
ID: {4B19EC1A-31C5-4FBB-90EC-3F53A14D5862}(3)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Professional
Architecture: 0x00000009
Build lab: 7601.win7sp1_ldr_escrow.190220-1800
TTS Error:
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/A

Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

I'm a bit out of my comfort zone here. I tried running your ABR link and nothing happened. It looks like I have a partial product key there, but I seem to have hit a wall.

Your license is a OEM SLP
On a SLP, the license key is generic, and can't be use to activation. You MUST backup the SLP license using ABR.

If you click the Download ABR link you will download a executable file. Execute the file and it will ask where you want to extract the ABR files. Choose an external USB flash drive.
Run activation_backup.exe from the ABR folder.
"activation_backup" will create 2 files on your USB drive:
backup-key.txt: Backup license key
backup-cert.xrm-ms: Backup activation certificate

"activation_restore" will use those 2 files to restore your
activation once you have done a clean install.

Save the files on the ABR folder on the USB flash drive.

Lets do some tests on the HDD as I suspect it has a problem.
For the logical health test, open a CMD window as administrator and type:
chkdsk c: /f
It will say your disk is in use and if you want to schedule to next start = yes
Restart
Pay attention on the results, specially bad blocks, bad clusters, bad sectors etc

For he SMART diag, download and run CrystalDiskInfo It is a portable, Don't need to install. Extract and run.

If the disk heath is good, you are ready to do a Win 7 Clean Install

Megahertz07 · 19 Feb 2021

Link to download Win 7 installation iso

Win7_HomePrem_SP1_English_COEM_x32.iso

Win7_HomePrem_SP1_English_COEM_x64.iso

Links are valid for 24 hours.
Links expire: 2/20/2021 10:19:57 PM UTC

Any Win 7 installation disk has all versions on it (starter, HB, HP, Pro and ultimate). To make it universal (show all versions) you must delete or rename \sources\ei.cfg.

You have eicfg_removal_utility tool do apply on the iso you're downloading.
With \sources\ei.cfg renamed or removed, during the installation it will ask what version you want to install. Choose Win 7 pro.

You didn't mentioned how much memory your laptop has but if it has 4G or less, install 32 Bits. If it has more than 4G, install 64Bits

Please tell us how are you going to install, using a DVD or a USB flash drive.
Give us more information about the laptop (brand, model, CPU, memory etc)

TechnoMage2016 · 19 Feb 2021

Moonshine said:

I have a fairly old laptop which has been getting slower and slower to boot up. I had a similar problem on my desktop machine a while back and cured it by re-loading the O/S and starting again. However, I have Win 7 professional on the laptop and no O/S to replace it as it doesn't have a disk drive. I don't have 7 professional on disk anyway. Is there any easy way to clear out the crud that seems to be clogging up my laptop without having to re-install Windows. Not too technical please as I am a retired person with no specific IT skills.

I have done the usual stuff like a defrag and disk cleanup with little effect.

Sir, I'm confused.... You said first that your laptop does not have a Hard Drive, and then you said that you did a Defrag on it, and a disk cleanup. I'd love to take a look at that laptop. Slow, is my speciality.

The very first thing I always do is to run 'MSCONFIG' and under the BOOT tab, change the startup delay form the default 30 seconds, to just 3 seconds. That will help your PC to boot up 27 seconds faster.
* The OS won't accept less than three seconds.

I know you're in the UK, but surely you have professional Computer repair shops somewhere in your area. That may be your best bet.

Good Luck Mate!
TM

RolandJS · 20 Feb 2021

"I have a fairly old laptop which has been getting slower and slower to boot up..."
If I understand correctly, my educated guess is that there is a lot of background running programs, utilities, services, etc., that can be pruned if not being used anymore. autorun and msconfig are very helpful for discovery and disabling, Windows programs and Revo Uninstaller free are also very helpful in uninstalling un-needed stuff.

Moonshine · 22 Feb 2021

TechnoMage2016 said:

Sir, I'm confused.... You said first that your laptop does not have a Hard Drive, and then you said that you did a Defrag on it, and a disk cleanup. I'd love to take a look at that laptop. Slow, is my speciality.

The very first thing I always do is to run 'MSCONFIG' and under the BOOT tab, change the startup delay form the default 30 seconds, to just 3 seconds. That will help your PC to boot up 27 seconds faster.
* The OS won't accept less than three seconds.

I know you're in the UK, but surely you have professional Computer repair shops somewhere in your area. That may be your best bet.

Good Luck Mate!
TM

Hi, I think you have misread my post. What I said was that it doesn't have a disk drive (as in CD/DVD), it certainly does have a hard drive. If I do have to resort to doing a re-install, I would have to put the O/S onto a USB stick because of that, but I am trying to avoid going down that route except as a last resort. Yes there are computer repair shops in the area, but I am currently avoiding going out due to being in my 70s, and there's supposed to be a lock-down anyway. Also, I am trying to learn what I can as it keeps my brain active for as long as possible.

The computer is a Dell Latitude E6230 with a 300GB HDD and 10GB memory.