What else can cause a slow bootup?

[M4dn3ss]

This one's an oldie but a goodie... the age-old question of Windows entropy. What else, other than startup programs, cause Windows to take longer to boot over time? Please do not say "installing too many programs", because that is the only answer I ever hear, and I only ever run necessary programs at startup and hardly install any programs at all, yet my computer will gradually take longer to boot over an extended period of time.

 

[Northernsoul55]

Hi,

1. The obvious one - Startup items

2. BIOS settings: As soon as you power on your computer, the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) runs a series of tests and configures various devices connected to your computer. If your computer’s BIOS is not configured properly, it could affect your PC’s startup process.. Enter the BIOS setup and notice if there are any obscure commands. Make sure that the first boot device is set to your primary hard drive, motherboard logo display is turned off, and quick boot/fast boot feature is enabled.

3. Fragmented registry: The Windows Registry is one of the most critical components of Microsoft Windows operating systems, and its health greatly determines the proper functionality of the operating system. If your registry is corrupted or bloated, it can cause your system to boot up slowly. Defrag your registry.

4. Virus and spyware infections: Always keep your anti-virus program up-to-date, and perform thorough scan of your hard drives at regular intervals.

Virus scanners:

:ar: http://support.kaspersky.com/5350
:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-windows-defender-offline.html

For Malware, recommend Malwarebytes:


Download

   Note

Do not start the free trial of Malware Bytes, deselect that option when prompted.

Run a full scan once downloaded, installed and updated.


5. Faulty hardware/memory issues: graphic card, sound card, memory (RAM), hard drives, etc. can also cause your system to hang/crash while booting. In such circumstances, all you need to do is remove unnecessary hardware devices one at a time until you spot the perpetrator.

Some testing programs if you require them:


1. To test memory use memtest. Run for 8 passes and test each stick in a
know good slot for an additional 6 passes: :ar: Memtest

   Tip

Run these tests overnight

2. To Stress test your Video Card: :ar: Video Stress test

3. Hardware Stress Test: :ar: Prime95


6. If an option, uprade your RAM.



cheers

Dave

 

[AddRAM]

If it really bothers you, re install windows on a solid state drive.

 

[M4dn3ss]

Does Windows go through the entire registry upon each startup?

 

[fezbombmatt]

What is recommended to use to defrag the registry?

 

[diplo]

What is recommended to use to defrag the registry?

If by defrag you mean clean up, I would use a program called CCleaner Piriform - Download CCleaner, Defraggler, Recuva, Speccy - Millions of users worldwide! , ensure that you make a backup of your registry before running the tool because things happen.

 

[fezbombmatt]

Oh i see, sorry i read 'defrag registry' and thought there was something else i could do to aid my system. I already use CCleaner so that clears that up.

I never backup the registry btw, worth doing tbh?

 

[gregrocker]

If all else fails you can find out definitively by Gathering a Startup, Shutdown, Sleep, Hibernate, or Reboot Trace - Windows 7 Forums.

One particularly hard case I had ended up being traced to the HD which would not improve with a normal defrag but required one which also gets at the System files when they are not running.

For this I use Puran Boot Time defrag with full Disk Check, after enabling Intelligent Optimizer on the Additional Operations tab. It works flawlessly and improved the boot time from two minutes to one (which is still bad, but it's 5400).

Puran Defrag Download

 

[M4dn3ss]

Does registry cleaning actually work? It seems like a bit of a 'snake oil' thing...

 

[gregrocker]

Many here feel it is not needed because Win7 is so resilient. But many also use CCleaner for Disk and Registry cleaning without any problems ever experienced or documented.

What's important is never to be taken in by the scam registry cleaners which have no genius like CCleaner and can ruin Win7 beyond repair. These and optimizer suites are never needed in such a lightweight OS and often harmful.

 

[DirtRider]

I just don't know about running cleaner on a Win7 registory , I have read more horror stories of people having to do a clean Win install after using this application. I also thought the general feeling was that Win7 manages and sorts out its registory very well without using application like this. Would I use cleaner on my Win7 registory, not on your life.