Speed up a slow starting computer

[Lexicat]

(I don't know how far behind Lexicat is with Windows updates, or I might offer some advice.)

I haven't had any updates since August 2016. My computer is running fairly well once it is up and running, which takes about 10 minutes. After that it is doing amazingly well, considering it is about 8 years old. I use Avast security and Malwarebytes anti-malware.

 

[ilikefree]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

(I don't know how far behind Lexicat is with Windows updates, or I might offer some advice.)

I haven't had any updates since August 2016. My computer is running fairly well once it is up and running, which takes about 10 minutes. After that it is doing amazingly well, considering it is about 8 years old. I use Avast security and Malwarebytes anti-malware.

I would like to offer my help to you to get your computer running better. 10 Minutes is too long to get up and running. My computer takes about 58 seconds from a restart.
Could you press the Windows key and R
Type msconfig
go to Services and click Hide all Microsoft services
Use the snipping tool (start menu, all programs accessories) and give me a snip of what you have left please.

 

[Lexicat]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

Here it is:

 

[ilikefree]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

Here it is:View attachment 29418

OK Go to start menu and type services.msc
Right click on the result and run as administrator
Disable all the services listed except the 2 Avast entries.
To do this select the service, right click on it, click properties, startup type and use the drop down menu to set it to disabled or manual.
Let me know when you are ready for the next step

 

[Lexicat]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

OK Go to start menu and type services.msc
Right click on the result and run as administrator
Disable all the services listed except the 2 Avast entries.
To do this select the service, right click on it, click properties, startup type and use the drop down menu to set it to disabled or manual.
Let me know when you are ready for the next step

I went to services and there must be a hundred of them. Some are already either disabled or manual. Should I go ahead and put all on manual? Just checking before I get in over my head. Thanks much for your help. I assume we are working to lessen the startup load?

 

[ilikefree]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

I went to services and there must be a hundred of them. Some are already either disabled or manual. Should I go ahead and put all on manual? Just checking before I get in over my head. Thanks much for your help. I assume we are working to lessen the startup load?

Just the services listed in your snip you posted except the 2 Avast entries

 

[ilikefree]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

Go back to the first step and this time click the start up option in msconfig
Take a snip and post it please

Remember we are in different time zones so the whole process might take some time going back and forwards

 

[Lexicat]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

Go back to the first step and this time click the start up option in msconfig
Take a snip and post it please

Remember we are in different time zones so the whole process might take some time going back and forwards

Here it is in 2 parts:


No problem with the time. Just glad to have help with this.

 

[ilikefree]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

Ok Thanks, I need you to click on the line that separates the first two columns and drag them apart a bit so I can read what Microsoft and Intel entries they are.
Take another snip and post back please.
In the mean time uncheck all of them except Avast, Intel, Microsoft.

A system file check is next, here's how
Go to the start menu search box and type cmd
Right click on the result and click run as administrator
type sfc /scannow
let it run and hopefully it should tell you no integrity violations were found.

Then set a restore point before doing the following
To do the restore point Right Click Computer and go to Properties
Then click System Protection, then Create
Give it a name like b4 clean up

Then go to Computer and right click on Local Disc (C) and click properties
Click disc cleanup and when it runs through click more options
Click the option Clean Up in System Restore And Shadow Copies box and delete when asked
It will save the restore point you made earlier.

Go back to computer and right click on Local Disc (C) and click Properties
This time click Tools and in the Error Checking box click Check Now
In the box that opens click both options and reboot your computer (This check will take some time so you might want something to do)
Will contact you back when you are ready for more

 

[wither 3]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

I would suggest that, after he starts Disc Cleanup and it says how much space it can save, that he checkmark the boxes for Temporary Files and Recycle Bin, since they're not checkmarked by default. Doing that will speed up the boot process and will definitely speed up other processes, after Windows is booted.

 

[ilikefree]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

I would suggest that, after he starts Disc Cleanup and it says how much space it can save, that he checkmark the boxes for Temporary Files and Recycle Bin, since they're not checkmarked by default. Doing that will speed up the boot process and will definitely speed up other processes, after Windows is booted.

Yes, thanks for following the thread.
Check everything except thumbnails this time

 

[Lexicat]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

Here they are. Wish I could get it all at once but don't know how. I unchecked the rest and will continue with instructions. Once again, I really appreciate the help with this. Perhaps I can repay you somehow. Once we are done with this, I would like to know how to avoid all this startup clutter that seems to be the problem.

 

[Lexicat]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

I would suggest that, after he starts Disc Cleanup and it says how much space it can save, that he checkmark the boxes for Temporary Files and Recycle Bin, since they're not checkmarked by default. Doing that will speed up the boot process and will definitely speed up other processes, after Windows is booted.

Yes, thanks for the assistance.

 

[Lexicat]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

Did system check and no violations were found. I will do rest of instructions now.

 

[ilikefree]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

I asked you to not uncheck the Microsoft, Intel, or Avast entries as I don't know what they are yet and I still cannot see what they are.

I would advise downloading MalwareBytes AntiMalware Free and doing a scan with that
NOTE: On the last page of the install uncheck the option to try the PRO version.

If you do NOT have an SSD we will do a defrag.
We will also stop the automatic restore point that gets made each time you start the computer and set a schedule for one in it's place.
Then you can run the boot speed timer and let me know how long it takes to start now.

Defrag.
Press the Windows key and E
Right click on Local Disc (C) and click Properties
Click Tools, then Defrag Now.

Sorry I have to go out now so will continue when I return.

 

[Lexicat]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

I asked you to not uncheck the Microsoft, Intel, or Avast entries as I don't know what they are yet and I still cannot see what they are.

I would advise downloading MalwareBytes AntiMalware Free and doing a scan with that
NOTE: On the last page of the install uncheck the option to try the PRO version.

If you do NOT have an SSD we will do a defrag.
We will also stop the automatic restore point that gets made each time you start the computer and set a schedule for one in it's place.
Then you can run the boot speed timer and let me know how long it takes to start now.

Defrag.
Press the Windows key and E
Right click on Local Disc (C) and click Properties
Click Tools, then Defrag Now.

Sorry I have to go out now so will continue when I return.

I guess I missed the Intel & Microsoft. I already followed through on the previous info. Does that matter that I didn't check those other two? The scan said the volume was clean. I will wait until you give me an answer about Intel & Microsoft mistake before I continue. I have a flash drive if that's what you mean as an SSD. It has some pictures and other info on it right now. Also, I do already have Malwarebytes and it scans daily. I also use a program called System Mechanic which caused the Malwarebyte scan to detect some PUP's from the System Mechanic. I quarantined them. Another issue is the hibernation file, which I checked on the disc cleanup. It had 3 GB in it. This was created when I created the hybrid sleep mode, which I did using commands. I was told not to delete those files because that keeps the sleep mode going (I think). Could that have caused the slow startup time? Thanks, talk to you later.

 

[ilikefree]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

OK, No to the SSD (Solid State Drive) being the same as a flash drive.
It sounds like your computer does not have a SSD so a defrag would be good to do.

To see what the Microsoft entries are in msconfig
In msconfig hover your mouse between Startup Item and Manufacturer and you should get a double arrow. If you double click and drag to the right it will expand the items so you can see what they are.

 

[ilikefree]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

Here is something you can try
Copy the file below into notepad and save as bootspeedtimer.vbs
Where is says Save As Type click the down arrow on the right and select All Files
You should end up with a boot speed timer visual basic script file (.vbs)
double click this and it will shut down your computer and reboot it giving you a time in seconds it takes to restart.


Option Explicit
On Error Resume Next
Dim Wsh, Time1, Time2, Result, PathFile, MsgResult, MsgA, AppName, KeyA, KeyB, TimeDiff
MsgA = "Please close all running applications and click on OK."
KeyA = "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\RestartTime"
KeyB = "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\RestartTime"
AppName = "ReBoot-Time"
Set Wsh = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
PathFile = """" & WScript.ScriptFullName & """"
Result = wsh.RegRead(KeyA & "Times")
if Result = "" then
MsgResult = Msgbox (MsgA, vbOKCancel, AppName)
If MsgResult = vbcancel then WScript.Quit
Wsh.RegWrite KeyA & "Times", left(Time,8), "REG_SZ"
Wsh.RegWrite KeyB, PathFile, "REG_SZ"
Wsh.Run "cmd /c Shutdown -r -t 00", false, 0
else
Wsh.RegDelete KeyA & "Times"
Wsh.RegDelete KeyA
Wsh.RegDelete KeyB
TimeDiff = DateDiff("s",Result,left(Time,8))
MsgBox "Your computer reboots in " & TimeDiff & " seconds", VbInformation, AppName
end if
wscript.Quit

 

[Lexicat]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

OK, No to the SSD (Solid State Drive) being the same as a flash drive.
It sounds like your computer does not have a SSD so a defrag would be good to do.

To see what the Microsoft entries are in msconfig
In msconfig hover your mouse between Startup Item and Manufacturer and you should get a double arrow. If you double click and drag to the right it will expand the items so you can see what they are.

Is this what you wanted to see?

 

[Lexicat]

Re: How long can I go without new updates on a Vista Home Premium 64 bit computer?

It took 283 seconds to reboot