Solved Huge rebot time

[PlatypusKnight]

yes I did and it improved my systems reboot time a bit .. but its much slower, but to answer your question yes it works, total clean removed about 2.5gb contents, so I guess thats good.

but now i'm confused about the random "no boot stats" along with super slow reboot

Ok well lets dig into that.

Let me acknowledge first that you may very well have malware. (Or RAM issues but let's do simple first). There's nothing wrong with following the malware related suggestions of the other posters in this forum (who likely know more than me) but I don't think you have a malware related issue.

Microsoft made some changes to .net and programs that haven't been updated are giving all sorts of problems.

I had a program the other day that ran on .net and when it started it would pause boot for about 4 mins. It simplified my life, but I didn't need it so I uninstalled it. We'll see what the culprit is.

Just one more thing before we proceed. Did you uninstall Chrome, or did you settle for just losing all your saved logins etc?


Here's what you do now:

Install Startup Delayer.  Once it's installed, allow it to take control of your startup processes.  

 I want you to close Startup Delayer, click the Win Start button and run [Configure Startup Delayer].
 

 Click [Tools].  It's in the middle of the menu bar and a bit hard to see.
 Click [Restart Startup Delayer as Administrator] and grant it Admin privileges.
 

 Click [Options] in the upper right hand corner (not the same as Tools)
 Ensure [Auto Refresh Tasks and Services] is checked.
 

 Click the [Startup Applications] tab.
 Ensure [Enable at Startup] and [Prefix Delayed Application Name with Delayed Order] are checked.
 Set both Default Idle Values to 50%
 Check [Display a Message when all Applications have finished launching]
 

 Click the [Launch Process] tab
 Check every single box in this tab.
 

 Under [Show Notifier] I want you to select the [Show always during Startup] radio button.
 Click [Save]
 If Startup Delayer prompts you to restart Startup Delayer in Administrator mode allow it to restart in Administrator mode.
 Double check to ensure all the tabs are formatted as I outlined.
 I want you to restart your computer twice.
 

 Now we get to the fun part.
 Startup Delayer will 
[listen] to your startup process.  It will tell you how much time your startup process takes. 
 You can view a log displaying your startup process and how long each item takes.
 

 The second time you restart your system I want you to run [Configure Startup Delayer], click [Tools], then [View last launch log]
 

 Screenshot that and post.


Also screenshot and post the [Configure Startup Delayer] window that lists all of your startup processes.


Also open CCleaner, Click [Tools] and then [Startup].
Please screenshot the Windows and Scheduled Tasks tabs.

 

[Callender]

Hardware issues?

I cannot answer your question about hardware issues - sorry about that!

Before trying the Avast stuff it might be worth giving Soluto a shot.

Soluto Download - Softpedia

Note: It will monitor every boot and provide suggestions. It's not meant to be permanently installed.

Edit: Try the Startup Delayer suggerstion first!

Boot Degradation.

Every boot time should be logged under Boot Time but Boot Degradation shouldn,t show any new enrries unless there's something new to report.

 

[gabe22]

Here is the startup program list of ccleaner(text format) and startup delayer screenshot.
Also attached startup delayer 2nd boot log screenshot (although it displays only a few seconds but my system takes atleast 2min to get to the windows screen.)

@ ThrashZone

Adwcleaner scan only detected Hotspot shield (removed it)

malwarebyte found no issues

microsoft security scanner found 1 Autorun, I was unable to find pathway but removed it

SUPERANTISPYWARE detected a few adware tracking cookies from ad sites like doubleclick.net etc.

BTW after installaing startup delayer it seems my systems performance improved a bit, I mean reboot wise (based on last 2 reboot) but still over 2min time

 

[gabe22]

I jsut noticed something strange, my system drive C, both defragment (windows default) and chkdsk (automatic error fix) .. won't work on C drive.

For disk defragment, C drive doesn't display there and for scan disk, automatic fix requires schedule and when I schedule .. it does nothing on next restart.

Could it be that my system is corrupted somehow which is causing all this issues?

 

[Callender]

Defrag

I jsut noticed something strange, my system drive C, both defragment (windows default) and chkdsk (automatic error fix) .. won't work on C drive.

For disk defragment, C drive doesn't display there and for scan disk, automatic fix requires schedule and when I schedule .. it does nothing on next restart.

Could it be that my system is corrupted somehow which is causing all this issues?

How are you attempting to run defrag on C? Like this?



What happens if you run ChkDsk from the command line as shown in option 2 here?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

Using the command chkdsk C: /r /f

And how often do you usually run it? Personally I run it at least once per week.

 

[PlatypusKnight]

I'm going to look through the logs Gabe, although I don't see anything wrong.

What I'd like you to do now is to transfer everything in the normal startup section to the delayed startup section.
That way Startup Delayer will tell us how long each process takes, and we can isolate what's causing the long bootup.

Also I want you to screenshot all the startup tabs in ccleaner.

 

[PlatypusKnight]

Also gabe can you download and try to run ultradefrag from here:
UltraDefrag - An Open Source Defragmenter

Please use the portable version that is compatible with your system (please note you do NOT have an itanium processor).

 

[PlatypusKnight]

Also can you post a screenshot of your My Computer screen. [Win + E]

I've been thinking about about your slow shutdown as well. Do you know if you encrypted your page file? If you did it will be slower to shutdown as windows handles the encryption necessary for that operation.

Also do you use hibernate frequently? If you don't I'd like to delete it and wipe that drive.

Please advise.

 

[gabe22]

@ Callender

When I run dis disk defragmentor, it doesn't display system drive (C) and on chkdsk command it requests schadule and if I schedule, nothing happens on next restart, please check screenshots bellow:

@ PlatypusKnight

I'm going to run the suggested tests and post results shortly.

 

[Callender]

ChkDsk & Defrag

Okay well that's a bit of a mystery to me. Mind you I don't ever use the built in defrag utility. It does seem to indicate some issues if your windows partition doesn't show up! It looks like you need someone with a little more knowledge on the subject to help you out. If I tried to help any further I'd just be guessing.

Do you have an SSD drive? That could be why it doesn't show up. Defrag isn't needed.

See the warning and drive exclusion setting here:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3292-disk-defragmenter-schedule-turn-off.html?filter[2]=Performance%20Maintenance

 

[gabe22]

its irrelevant really but I'm just wondering if it could be related to my issue, if you check the screenshot bellow you'll see that my system gets ready within about 26 seconds but from the Dell screen to windows loading ... it takes forever it goes in following steps.

1. Dell screen (a bar fills up here in few seconds), then to the next screen
2. Black screen (I've made modifications to windows like years ago to remove the windows default screen here using some article found in google, which actually make the loading a bit faster)
**** Now here in this screen sometimes it gets stuck, as in nothing happens and sometimes it takes like 2-3min and then it gets to the windows login screen.
3. Windows login screen
4. and then it takes about given 26-30 seconds to have all programs ready.

Please advise.


And sorry no its a casual SATA HDD
As for encryption related question that PlatypusKnight asked, I dont remember installing any such software on the system.

*** I just found this article, [SOLVED] C drive not recognized by Disk Defrag - Tech Support Forum .. person there have the same issue as me and it seems his issue was solved by chkdsk scan but I just cant seem to run it, schedule does nothing. Is there any alternative?

*** Also I tried to run defrag using command prompt and result is dirty bit error, screenshot attached.

 

[Callender]

ChkDsk & Defrag

Okay well that's a bit of a mystery to me. Mind you I don't ever use the built in defrag utility. It does seem to indicate some issues if your windows partition doesn't show up! It looks like you need someone with a little more knowledge on the subject to help you out. If I tried to help any further I'd just be guessing.

Do you have an SSD drive? That could be why it doesn't show up. Defrag isn't needed.

Other than that it seems that your hard drive could be failing. Looks like a similar issue in this thread:

http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/96365-disk-defragment-problem.html

Like I said - just guessing!

 

[gabe22]

All these solutions points to chkdsk which wont run on my system

 

[Slartybart]

Try booting a Repair Disc or Install media to run Check Disk on C:

See: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

When you boot the Repair disc, the drive letters might change.

Select repair your computer, then Command prompt
enter Diskpart
list disk
exit

You'll have to identify the drive by the size or the label.

Once you know the drive letter, you can then run chkdsk in readonly mode (no options)
chkdsk <driveletter>:

If the disk is dirty, it's going to take a while.

then you can try defrag <driveletter>:

You're absolutely right - you'll have to get past the drive errors.

You could also try creating a Minitool Partition Wizard - bootable CD
Free download Magic Partition Manager Software, partition magic alternative, free partition magic, partition magic Windows 7 and server partition software - Partition Wizard Online
scroll down to the bottom and download the bootable CD
you might want to download the ISO and create the disc on another machine if that is an option

Boot the CD and post the initial screen showing the volumes/partitions
If PW says Bad disk ... ouch!
otherwise you can run a surface scan (same thing as chkdsk).

 

[gabe22]

I'll try that .. just one question could this possibly remove my files in C drive or any other drive for that matter?

 

[gabe22]

I just tried creating repair disk and got "unspecified error (0x80004005)' error

 

[PlatypusKnight]

Hey gabe,

Thanks for posting the Startup Delayer logs. Good job.
There's nothing wrong with your startup process. You have a disk error, or corruption. Did you drop your computer recently? Or recover from a crash? Dells are prone to this dirtybit issue particularly if you have this Windows update installed: KB2823324. If you know how I'd suggest you uninstall that update if you have it installed.

Next, you're not going to be happy to hear it but you should probably ditch Avast. Microsoft Security Essentials with Comodo Firewall and Defense + is a pretty sturdy solution, and lighter, safer, and more efficient than what you're running now. Run Malwarebytes as an on demand scanner and you're about as safe as one can be without other expert level hardening techniques. Run TDSSKiller and MBAM and CCleaner once in a while and you'll be ok. You're not exactly a novice. You can learn to respond to the numerous prompts Comodo will throw your way. I'm sure if you ask around the forum you'll get numerous AV/HIPS suggestions that are lighter on resources and yet more powerful than what you have now. You may not feel like it, but the way you use your computer you're one of the big boys and you're going to have to learn the responsibilities that come with that.

Also, if I were in your position I would move my data off it, reformat that drive, do a clean Windows install and learn how to use Macrium or some other imaging software. There's not going to be a time while you're alive that you're not going to be using this or some other computer, and the longer you put off learning imaging the more pain and suffering you're going to encounter. This will happen again. It's the nature of Windows (and your hard usage). Imaging is not hard, and it's free.

As an aside you should look into some best practices for Windows. I believe @Callender has a link that walks you through Windows housekeeping. Those practices will go a long way towards preventing these types of issues. Think of it like servicing your car. Ever so often you need to get an oil change, and rotate your tires, fill up the fluids etc. Your computer is the same way.

You never responded to my queries concerning hibernation, and UltraDefrag, or posted your drive listing or the ccleaner screenshots.

Without the screenshots etc. I can't help you diagnose or fix the issue. I understand that you're desperate to resolve the issue, but it pays to move methodically, eliminating the simple issues as we go so we don't get to a point where no one has any clue what's going on.

Here is a page you can visit that will walk you through the check disk, dirty bit issue.
https://www.raymond.cc/blog/manually-reset-or-clear-dirty-bit-in-windows-without-chkdsk/

Based on this post:

2. Black screen (I've made modifications to windows like years ago to remove the windows default screen here using some article found in google, which actually make the loading a bit faster)

It's possible what's happening is chkdsk is running each boot but whatever you disabled is causing it to run invisibly. If that's the case we can revert those changes.
I'm still here to help. Let me know what you decide.

 

[gabe22]

@ PlatypusKnight

First of all thank you and yes I was thinking the same that it could be windows ( this installation) related issue in which case as you suggested reinstallation might be a good solution and I have an image disk created from years back (when I purchased this laptop)

But before we do that I was thinking to resolve this (if possible) as I have mentioned in previous message my system diagnostics suggests that there is an issue with my memory which could be Ram or motherboards ram slot etc.

So if possible, first thing ... I would like to know if its just windows related issue (which it is) or hardware as well? then proceed with a whole sweet (fix hardware issue/update/repair if necessary) and restore/reinstall windows.
And if it fixes and no hardware issues then all good

"You never responded to my queries concerning hibernation, and UltraDefrag, or posted your drive listing or the ccleaner screenshots."
I don't use hibernation mode as in contrary to shutdown but sometimes my laptop goes into hybernation when battery runs out, could this be what you're asking about?

UltraDefrag ... I'll give it a try but first thing I'm thinking here is, its not that my issue is "I cant defrag", I'm wondering why windows defrag won't display C drive which it used+supposed to.

I'm not sure what do you mean by driver listing screenshot? please elaborate.

As for CCleaner screenshot, I added them, do you mean screenshots or other tabs as well?

"It's possible what's happening is chkdsk is running each boot but whatever you disabled is causing it to run invisibly. If that's the case we can revert those changes."
* I lost the article form my history as ccleaner removed it (my mistake, I should have been more careful) but if could suggest someway to revery back to default that would help a lot.

Basically I would like to fix this system if possible but if I'm forced to, I guess I'll have to restore/reinstall.

Thank you guys for all the help!

** On a 2nd note I think my dvd rom has issues itself (weak laser probably or something like that) so I'm gonna try to get a portable and try to create repair disk and see if it works.

As for the antivirus suggestion, I'll try those after fix/reinstall.

 

[PlatypusKnight]

I don't use hibernation mode as in contrary to shutdown but sometimes my laptop goes into hybernation when battery runs out, could this be what you're asking about?

That does answer my question. You don't use hibernation but it's still enabled on your laptop. I would recommend disabling that. I'll send you the link for that after I examine the screenshots.

As for CCleaner screenshot, I added them, do you mean screenshots or other tabs as well?

I don't see them. Can you redo and repost? And yes I'd like every tab in Startup. Also push [Win + E] on your keyboard and post the window that shows up showing me your drive configuration.

UltraDefrag ... I'll give it a try but first thing I'm thinking here is, its not that my issue is "I cant defrag", I'm wondering why windows defrag won't display C drive which it used+supposed to.

Sometimes whatever "flag" is set or unset by a system program can be reset by a third party application. Also, if you ran UltraDefrag without issues it would tell us something. And if UltraDefrag wouldn't run, or doesn't see the C: drive that tells us something else and helps us narrow down the issue.

In the meantime download and run Speccy from here:
https://www.piriform.com/speccy/download

Let me know if Speccy says that any of your drives have issues, or if it even shows the C: drive. Pay particular attention to the SMART status of each drive.
Also screenshot the Storage Tab of Speccy.

 

[RolandJS]

Earlier, somebody mentioned dropping Avast and only using MSE, may I gently disagree a little bit? IMO, Avast or AVG or Avira or other, if correctly set [not assertively-set], has an edge over MSE. In my experience, as good as MSE is, often it is not as proactive in STOPping a "bad thing" from happening as as the others. I bought Avast & Avira, so I was able to configure scheduled scans for both, one is active [Real Time Protection]. Maybe instead of dropping any nonMSE anti-virus [or anti-malware], take the time to read configuration notes, and conservatively-set protection, detection and so on.