Solved Slow Start Up

I timed it. My computer takes a full five minutes after my desktop comes back up after a reboot before I can open anything. For this reason I usually try to keep my computer on and seldom turn it off. But lately my videos and Facebook games will start making a noise and acting very dragging like... so I have to reboot and then it's fine.

But why does it take so long for my computer to be useable after a reboot? If I try to open something like mail I get a white screen that says it is not responding, same with FireFox. I tried to clean up my startup and removed a lot of stuff but still take too long. What could the problem be?

Does it do this in safe mode? Have you tried a clean boot? What about running SFC? How about a restore point? Have about a checkdisk? Perhaps this tutorial (or one of the referenced tutorials) will help. https://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/151819-boot-up-time.html

You wouldn't happen to have full drive encryption would you?

Hello Barbee,

As rightly said by Townsbg, I would also suggest the same steps.
-- Try booting the computer into safe mode and check if it takes same amount of time to boot into safe mode.
-- Try performing a clean boot and check if the computer boots faster.
-- Run a sfc/scannow.
-- Performing a system restore can also be tried.
**Note: By performing a system restore there would not be any data loss but any recent software or program installed would be lost.
-- Try running the Check Disk.

I would recommend running the hardware diagnostic test on the hard drive provided by the manufacturer. Also perform the steps from the link mentioned by Townsbg.

Please write back with results and the system make and model number.

Allan D said:

Hello Barbee,

As rightly said by Townsbg, I would also suggest the same steps.
-- Try booting the computer into safe mode and check if it takes same amount of time to boot into safe mode.
-- Try performing a clean boot and check if the computer boots faster.
-- Run a sfc/scannow.
-- Performing a system restore can also be tried.
**Note: By performing a system restore there would not be any data loss but any recent software or program installed would be lost.
-- Try running the Check Disk.

I would recommend running the hardware diagnostic test on the hard drive provided by the manufacturer. Also perform the steps from the link mentioned by Townsbg.

Please write back with results and the system make and model number.

Click to expand...

Thank you, both. I will try everything when I get home today. By the way, about 11 months after I bought this HP the hard drive went. I took it to Geek Squad and they put in a new one and since then I have no restore. I save and save but when I try to restore there is no date where I saved. But I'll try the other things and let you know.

Allan D said:

Hello Barbee,

As rightly said by Townsbg, I would also suggest the same steps.
-- Try booting the computer into safe mode and check if it takes same amount of time to boot into safe mode.
-- Try performing a clean boot and check if the computer boots faster.
-- Run a sfc/scannow.
-- Performing a system restore can also be tried.
**Note: By performing a system restore there would not be any data loss but any recent software or program installed would be lost.
-- Try running the Check Disk.

I would recommend running the hardware diagnostic test on the hard drive provided by the manufacturer. Also perform the steps from the link mentioned by Townsbg.

Please write back with results and the system make and model number.

Click to expand...

It is not slow when I start in SAFE MODE. So now what?

Try a clean boot and if that works start re-enabling the programs one by one until you experience the issue. Once that happens you'll have your culprit. How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8

Hello Barbee,

If the computer is working fine in safe mode, it can be an issue with a software or the hard drive. I would run a hardware diagnostic test on the hard drive. Also refer to the article on Testing Hardware Problems using Hardware Diagnostics Tools (Windows Vista). If the test passes, it will prove that it is a software issue. Please try performing a Clean Boot as mentioned by Townsbg.

Please try the steps and write back with results, would be glad to assist you further.

Allan D said:

Hello Barbee,

If the computer is working fine in safe mode, it can be an issue with a software or the hard drive. I would run a hardware diagnostic test on the hard drive. Also refer to the article on Testing Hardware Problems using Hardware Diagnostics Tools (Windows Vista). If the test passes, it will prove that it is a software issue. Please try performing a Clean Boot as mentioned by Townsbg.

Please try the steps and write back with results, would be glad to assist you further.

Click to expand...

I will work on this today.

My conputer does not have lick Hardware Diagnostic Tools. It just has recovery options. I'm not a computer geek so the first step may take me a while.
In first step, what is this: Plug the AC Adapter into the computer if it is not already connected.

Hello Barbee,

Apologies for the delayed response! "Plug the AC Adapter into the computer if it is not already connected" means, connect the AC Adapter to the laptop if it is running on battery. Since you have mentioned that you do not the Hardware Diagnostic Tool on the system, I would suggest you to test the hard drive by Performing a Hard Drive Self Test from the BIOS.

Allan D said:

Hello Barbee,

Apologies for the delayed response! "Plug the AC Adapter into the computer if it is not already connected" means, connect the AC Adapter to the laptop if it is running on battery. Since you have mentioned that you do not the Hardware Diagnostic Tool on the system, I would suggest you to test the hard drive by Performing a Hard Drive Self Test from the BIOS.

Click to expand...

Oh... I am on a desktop. I unchecked just about everything on start up and it is a little better, but still takes long. I wait after rebooting until the revolving circle disappears and try to open mail or Firefox and still they go "not responding" so I just reboot before I go to bed so that when I wake up I can get right on without waiting.

Hello Barbee,

I really appreciate all your efforts to troubleshoot the issue. The test is same for both HP Laptops and Desktops. The first step does indicate to a laptop pc; however Step 2 to Step 5 remains the same for both. Hence I would request you to run the test on the hard drive because it a failing hard drive can also be the cause. The test would also prove the functionality of the hard drive.

Please write back with results, would be glad to assist you further.

Allan D said:

Hello Barbee,

I really appreciate all your efforts to troubleshoot the issue. The test is same for both HP Laptops and Desktops. The first step does indicate to a laptop pc; however Step 2 to Step 5 remains the same for both. Hence I would request you to run the test on the hard drive because it a failing hard drive can also be the cause. The test would also prove the functionality of the hard drive.

Please write back with results, would be glad to assist you further.

Click to expand...

I am a little afraid of this... I don't have a clue what I'm doing. I'm afraid my hard drive is going kaput. I download a lot of games and sometimes my computer will act sluggish and the sound makes a staticy noise. I have to immediately reboot to get rid of it. I ran virus checker and stuff.... I hate rebooting because of it taking so long to be able to use it again. I am very impatient.

Hello Barbee,

Running the test on the hard drive would not affect any data stored in the hard drive. Please follow the steps mentioned in the article for Performing a Hard Drive Self Test from the BIOS. This test is to check the functionality of the hard drive as the issue that you are facing, might be due to a failing hard drive.

How long does it take? I only have about 3 hrs each night to get my work done. If it takes a long time can I do it before bed and let it run all night or something?

Hello Barbee,

The short test would take 2 to 3 minutes and the Long/Extended Test might take 1 to 2 hours. I would also request you not to run the test and leave it over night. However I would suggest you to run the test on your weekends when you have time.

Thank you, Allen. I did the test and the hard drive is functioning properly. It seems that one of the games I pay may be the culprit with the noise because as soon as I reboot it's fine. I think maybe the long boot time might be because I have so much stuff on here. I rebooted my laptop today and it take almost the same time. Maybe I am just impatient. I'll reboot every night before bed and when I go on in the am. it will be ready.

Is there a forum for Windows 7. Having trouble with my laptop now.

Beware of downloadable software called Toolbar cleaner. I updated my free virus program Avira or something and it gave me an unwanted toolbar. I removed it EVERYWHERE and it is off Chrome but still on FF. I searched Google for a toolbar remover and would you believe, it was loaded with them. So now my laptop has about 4 or 5 unwanted toolbars.... removing them everywhere does nothing. I downloaded it from Cnet which I thought was reliable....NOT.

Thanks for helping me through that hard drive test.

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