System Image Startup Issues

After installing windows on my brand new computer, I made a system image on my HDD. The OS is on my SSD. Before the making the system image when i started up the computer it took <10 seconds at the windows logo before getting to the logon screen. Now that I have a system image on my HDD it takes about a minute at the windows logo before getting to the logon screen. I know that the system image is definitely the problem as I've tried reformatting the HDD, restarting (<10 sec wait is back) and then redoing the system image, which brings the long wait back.

Try renaming the system image folder.

See if that helps.

BTW -windows system image is being removed in windows 8.

So if you want to make images - might as well start using a 3rd party program to do it now.

There a good free versions from Macrium, Paragon , ( Easeus have one - but their latest is very annoying. )

Do you mean rename the main folder. and does it matter what I rename it to?

Yes, just rename it - doesn't matter what, just stick -orig on the end of the folder name .

If you want to restore from it, you will need to rename it back first.

I tried this, it unfortunately had no effect whatsoever.

It was worth a go.

Strange - perhaps it is taking a while trying to find the volume shadow copy storage on your HDD.

You could try removing that and see if it helps.

You should find it in System Protection - select the HDD , select configure , dot turn off system protection, Apply, OK.

dont turn off or do turn off system protection? and what other side effects will this have?

Dot .i.e , put a dot in the little circle.



Then Apply, OK.

Yes turn it off for the HDD.

When you save a windows image to a drive, it automatically creates shadow storage on that drive. When you make another image - it puts the older files into shadow storage. That is why it is there.

so what does turning off system protection do? I just don't want to do something to mess up the computer "turning off system protection" just sounds bad, but it may just be poor language choice on windows part, so im wondering what it does, or what system protection i am disabling.

It is just shadow copy storage.

Shadow storage on your own system/boot drive, e.g. C is used for system restore and previous versions.

On your HDD it is used exactly as described in my previous post.

A lot of people turn it off altogether on all drives because it takes up space.

The shadow storage area is just a volume carved out of an existing partition.

Think of it as another partition - your original partition is now 2 partitions.

You can't see the new one - it is hidden from view.

Windows can use that new hidden partition to store things.

When you made your system image, windows will have made a shadow storage area ( hidden partition , if you like ) on your external HD.

The next time you make a system image - it puts the old files into that hidden partition.

The system image you can actually see is the newest one.

[I have taken some liberties with technical accuracy to make that understandable]