Windows 7 Slow Startup

[Neji]

First of all, sorry if I'm in the wrong place - wasn't sure where to post.

I've been using Windows 7 Ultimate for a few months now and been very pleased with it, in the past few weeks I noticed a slow down though. I decided to do a clean install as I need a format anyway.

The thread title isn't quite right - Windows 7 loads up fine but once I log on it seems to take a while to 'repsond'. I have a USB HD connected (for example). the OS knows it there but it doesn't give me access to it for a while - maybe 15-30 minutes. The same thing happens with programs, I try to load them up but nothing happens until Windows 7 decided it's fully started. So everytime I log on, I'm having to wait 15 minutes+ until I can start using programs etc. After the wait - everything works fine but the waiting is really killing me now. It also started doing this on my previous install too.

Any ideas why this may be?

 

[richc46]

Welcome
If you have patience and follow the instructions of clean boot, I think that you may discover the problem

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

You may want to do a virus scan and download and use malwarebytes, first. It is important to make sure that your computer is clean

In addition try running, temporarily, with your anti virus off. That is often a cause of problems

 

[whs]

What is your security program? MSE. Norton, McAfee or whatever.

 

[Jacee]

I had the same problem with an external hard drive. It has a switch, so I just turn it off. I switch it on when needed.

 

[Neji]

Thanks for the replies.

Since the new install I hadn't been running any antivirus - was NOD32 before the format.

It turns out that Jacee has it spot on - my USB HD causes all sorts of problems when it's on. Fortunately there isn't too much on it -so I can copy it over to a different drive.

Anyone know the cause? I'm assuming it doesn't do it with all USB drives?

Thanks again.

 

[whs]

There is a possibility that it trries to sync your music from WMP to the USB drive. Two things you can check:

1. Run Process Explorer to see which processes are holding things up.
2. Go to " Services" and temorarily disable the "Windows Driver Foundation"

See whether that yields anything.

 

[Neji]

Thanks for the advice. I think I've fixed the problem with a format (although it may not work when full, like before). I copied over everything on my external and did a format through Windows. Still attached and haven't had a any problems since. I'm going to copy some stuff back over when I get a minute and see how it respsonds then. If it still acts up, I'll follow your advice and post back.

Thanks again.

 

[richc46]

You are always welcome at the Forum, but hope that the next time that we see you, it is to report good news.