10-15 minutes To Boot Up?

[Chris Nicola]

My comuter normally takes about 2 minutes to boot up. Unfortunately yesterday it just hanged after the first black screen with the windows symbol in the middle and after about 10-15 minutes there was a message that it could not boot and tried to do an automatic repair. The message later said it could not repair the problem automatically and would send an error message on line.

It booted up fine into safe mode and I deleted my graphics card driver in case that was the problem. I used a third party programme to run a disk check and now it will eventually boot up into windows after hanging on the same screen for 10 to 15 minutes which is very frustrating - the graphics card driver was automatically loaded after it boot up into Windows with no option of a roll back. I recently upgraded to Windows 7 service pack 1 and also upgraded my ATI Raedon 4300/4500 series Graphics card driver to version to 8.821.0.0 dated 26-1-10.

I have no idea where to start debugging this problem so any help would be appreciated.

Kind Regards

Chris

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Chris.


Have you tried a system restore to a point before you originally updated the video driver, that would be the best, first thing to try; have a look at Option Two in this tutorial at the link below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.



How to Do a System Restore in Windows

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
10to 15 mins on bootup then definitely "Houston We have a problem ....".

I should re-install -- it's often difficult to pinpoint exactly what's happenning in this type of scenario.

A re-install will probably take less time that trying to find out whats wrong and fix it.

Incidentally you should keep various image backups so you can alway restore to an earlier point in time where the system was functioning correctly.

You can start in SAFE MODE and get a prompt after drivers are loaded but this takes forever. If you suspect a "duff driver" just remove it and let Windows or the manufacturere of the card replace it next time you boot.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Chris Nicola]

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately system restore was turned off. I have now turned it on and created a new restore point but this is only after the problem occurred.

I do have a back up clone of the drive dating from about 2 weeks ago that I can use in an emergency. However I would prefer to try my best to repair the damaged drive first before faling back on that.

Kind Regards

Chris

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Have you tried "Last Known Good ... "


How to Boot to the Advanced Boot Options in Windows 7

 

[Chris Nicola]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Using the last known good configuration did not work. Unfortunately system restore was turned off. I have now turned it on and created a new restore point but this is only after the problem occurred. Like they say its easy to be wise after the event.

I do have a back up clone of the drive dating from about 2 weeks ago that I can use in an emergency. However I would prefer to try my best to repair the damaged drive first before faling back on that. Reinstalling Windows is another option but it would take me about a week to set up all my programmes with the updates. Is there a way to reinstall and keep all my programmes?


I could try to uninstall the graphics driver and try to install an earlier version in case this is the problem. Before I try that I will try another disk check with scan and recover for bad sectors checked and let it run overnight. Will let you know what happens.

Kind Regards

Chris

 

[indianacarnie]

Have you ran a system file check? I am sold on this utility as it has helped me more times than I can count.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[gregrocker]

Win7 Troubleshooting fundamentals

Try a Clean Boot Procedure to learn what programs are running unseen which can be causing problems. Turn off all Startup items except AV and gadgets: Startup Programs - Change

Study the Event Viewer>Custom>Admin view for repeat errors to google text and ID# for resolution. Check also the Performance log on Advanced Tools page accessed by clicking your WEI score link at Computer>Properties. Check for cued issues at top of Tools page, Generate A System Health Report.

Look for issues cued in Action Center in System Tray. Type "Solutions" in Start Search box to see if any have been sent for Problems reported or not. Always report problems when asked as Windows 7 is interactive this way.

Check for infection by installing Malwarebytes, update, run a Full Scan. Many issues can be solved by running a free lightweight AV like MS Security Essentials or Avast 5 with the Windows 7 Firewall for best performance. 32 bit Avast 5 will give you a deep boot scan.

Test your hardware by running memtest86 CD for 5-6 passes or overnight: RAM - Test with Memtest86+, then test the HD using maker's diag/repair full CD scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp..

Look in Device Manager for devices in error, update drivers on key devices.

Check temps for overheating by installing SpeedFan, blow dust out of the case using canned air, check all connections carefully avoiding static discharge to components by touching case first, reseat RAM.

Trace Windows 7 boot-shutdown-hibernate-standby-resume issues - MSFN Forums

Some of these steps suggested for cleaning up a factory bloatware install might help.

Run SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker to repair any damaged or corrupt OS files.

As a last resort before reinstall try a Repair Install which can fix most problems as it reinstalls the OS while keeping all programs, files and settings in place.

Tips for a clean reinstall, which is actually better than getting a new computer with today's bloated factory pre-installs.

 

[motc7]

Have you ran a system file check? I am sold on this utility as it has helped me more times than I can count.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

This. Please post your results.

If that doesn't work, you could try a repair install.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R

 

[Frank1]

About 2 weeks ago I had the same problem. All of a sudden everything got extremely slow. It would take about 15 minutes to shut down and the same to start up. I tried just about all of the suggestions above--which are all good ideas--but nothing worked. I finally did a recovery and brought it back to the original factory settings--exactly like it was when I first bought it. Everything is working well now. I of course had backups and resored everything. I have no idea what caused the problem. You may find the answer to your problem without doing what I had to do, but I have no idea what the answer may be. Hopefully one of the other members may have. Good luck.

 

[indianacarnie]

Totally off topic , But motc7 , nice to see another fan! Smoke me a kipper Ace!
Love that sig. too

 

[Chris Nicola]

Thank you everyone for these very helpful suggestions. Looks like I will have a lot of things to try now. I ran a full disk error check with scan for bad sectors and the problem still persists.

Then I connected a cloned drive from about 2 weeks ago before instaling Win 7 SP1 and the video card update and it still took 15 minutes to start up with the older drivers. Thus my strong suspicion is that there is either something wrong with the hardware or the video card firmware has been changed. The system will boot up in safe mode so I suspect the video card firmware. Yesterday, I got the blue screen of death which confirms something is seriously wrong with the system.

I will try some of the suggestions and keep you posted.

Kind Regards

Chris

 

[motc7]

Totally off topic , But motc7 , nice to see another fan! Smoke me a kipper Ace!
Love that sig. too

HA HA Sending you a friend request. Us folks in the Space Corps must stick together.


Smoke me a kipper....can you do that?

 

[Golden]

Hi Chris,

I see you have already got some very good advice about how to troubleshoot your issue/s - I would certainly follow through on that.

In addition, can I suggest trying free Soluto? This software provides a visual display showing you every service and program item that loads during startup, in addition to showing you how long each item takes. It also gives you an option to remove selected items, but I choose to use the more traditional methods for that - the real value of Soluto is the graphical way it displays the startup. I have found it very useful for novice users like myself.

Link to video demonstration below:
<iframe src="Soluto - How to use Soluto Beta" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/11952424">Soluto - How to use Soluto Beta</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3302313">Soluto</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

Just another suggestion for you to help visualise the problem.

Regards,
Golden

 

[Chris Nicola]

Thanks. Just tried Soluto. Great little programme. It indicates boot time about 10 minutes and Windows system (subsystems and core processes) and Norton is taking most of the time to load in that order. Not sure if the video card drivers are the real problem though. Might also be Norton is interfering with something. Also tried removing one stick of ram and then swapping with the other stick but that made no difference. Scanning with Malwarebytes showed nothing. I will continue with the other steps.



Kind Regards

Chris

 

[gregrocker]

Hi again Chris -

In addition to the troubleshooting steps posted earlier, check the Device Manager for any drivers in error. If you are using the chipset issued by the installer, try setting a Restore point and swapping in the chipset from the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or mobo. Then update your Display driver or try rolling back to earlier version(s). Driver Install - Device Manager - Windows 7 Forums

If the logs and other resources listed don't make the problem evident, run the boot trace. We are fortunate to have Cluberti who administers the tracing tool in residence here who can help you interpret the boot trace if you upload its .etl output file to a file sharing service and link it. Trace Windows 7 boot-shutdown-hibernate-standby-resume issues - MSFN Forums

For example on a recent trace on older Dell laptop with 2 minute startup, turns out the System Files needed defragging which cut startup time in half, but the rest was due to slow 5400rpm HD.

 

[Chris Nicola]

Hooray! Computer is working Fine Now! Whoaaa!

Well I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped me with issue. I have learned a lot about possible causes of boot problems and debugging techniques. I will save this thread for future reference. I also love the Soluto programme!

Well the final steps were as follows. I tried running the system file checker in OS mode sfc/scannow and it showed no integrity violations. Then I went back and was prepared to go through all the other steps that were suggested.

A special thank you to Gregrocker. Quote: In addition to the troubleshooting steps posted earlier, check the Device Manager for any drivers in error.

I checked the device manager and it had a warning symbol next to my Epson V700 scanner connected by firewire. "This device will not start". I tried to turn on the scanner and it was dead. I checked all the plugs on the scanner and also the firewire plug in the firewire card on my PC and they seemed OK. I checked the power cable and turned off the switch at the wall and then on again and the scanner came to life. It must have been a bad connection somewhere on one of the plugs or the wall socket. I tried rebooting with the scanner on. Instead of a 10 minute boot time my computer now boots in 1 minute 34 seconds. I feel so releived! Now, why a bad connection would have such an impact on the boot time beats me. Even when the scanner is turned off the computer normally boots fine. Maybe the bad connection caused a voltage violation and this interfered with the firewire data transfer and driver loading?

Anyway, I am so happy to be up and running again. Thanks again to everyone, this is a great forum!

Kind Regards

Chris

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Good to see you found a solution and thanks for the update!

 

[gregrocker]

Glad it helped Chris. If the scanner presents any futher problems, you might want to check it's SUpport Downloads webpage to see if it has any newer software/driver to try. If it is an older scanner, it might need to be installed in Compatibility Mode.

My guess would be it's driver was failing to load as it showed up in Plug-n-play during each startup. This may be a known issue which can be googled to find the solution, email or chat the manufacturer, post in their forum, or start a new topic here with scanner model in title.

 

[Golden]

Nice one Chris