Computer start up taking ages.

[bdol4886346]

For the last couple of weeks it`s taking about 20 to 30 minutes before I see my user screen, after switching on first thing in the morning. It`s ok if I switch off for a while, the problem is just when it`s been off overnight. My fan seems to be noisier lately, could this be the problem? Could it be that the fan needs cleaning? I would be grateful for any advice, it`s really annoying, I feel like leaving it on overnight so I don`t have to start up.

[crossroads]

You need some memory!

[crossroads]

http://www.epinions.com/book-review-235-4D50ED 5-39D34650-prod1

[Ethel]

What programs have you got in the start up menu?

If you are unsure about fiddling with settings, download Startup Inspector, a free program:

http://www.windowsstartup.com/

This program lets you safely remove things from the start up menu - if you make a mistake it is easy to put them back.

Have a look and let us know how you get on.

[rojash]

I can't imagine anything in the startup that would cause slow start ONLY if the machine had been off for a long period. This sounds more like a hardware fault to me - specifically a failing hard drive.

[bdol4886346]

Thanks very much all of you,don`t think it`s memory, I have 1.5 Gb. I think I`ll try startup inspector. Hope it`s not hard drive, but it`s under guarantee until 2009, so hopefully that would be covered. Off to download startup inspector, thanks again for your answers.

[stefos]

if you are using Windows XP, try turning off 'automatic updates' and see if it starts up any quicker.it worked a treat for me!

[bdol4886346]

Thanks stefos, have turned updates off and will see how it goes tomorrow morning.

[ACtheTROLL]

Is the HDD "thrashing" all the time the machine is starting?
if it is

look here http://www.memtest.org/
possibly one of your dimms is faulty

if not - most likely
I'm betting your HDD is full (or getting that way)
have a look .... ntfs/windows likes about 20-25% free disc space.

also .... any folders with 1000000s of files (music/photos?)
if yes ... split them into a few folders

run the disc cleanup wizard when you eventually manage to startup.
defrag the disc .....
consider buying extra storage.

[bdol4886346]

Thanks for your answer ACtheTROLL. Just had a quick look at the link, but not sure if I`ll understand it, I`ll have a proper look after tea. I have 29GB free on boot C, 60 on back up and 6 on recover.I don`t really know what you mean by thrashing, but I haven`t noticed anything, I`ll take notice tomorrow morning.As I said, I could switch off now and it will boot up in about 30 seconds.I think i have about 500 music files and about 200 photos which I`m about to put onto disc.It`s not long since I did disc clean up and defrag. I was going to ask Ethel about start up,but maybe you could help.I downloaded inspector startup all the programmes it showed had the ? next to them, unticked them all ,but made no difference. There was no * next to any of them for system required which I thought there would be, do you know if this is relevant? Another question I`ve been meaning to ask for some time, is it harmful to keep using system restore? Thanks again for your reply.

[ACtheTROLL]

Gosh

in reverse order
System restore only restores certain parts of Windows ... It's not really a backup/restore tool like acronis drive image.
Problem is ... if you restore a system with problems ... you just have older problems!

What size is c?
23 sounds a lot ... but as I said - 20-25% is what to aim for.
you don't see many of the system files ... and there are lots

startup - I use
http://mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml
one item at a time ... it's easy to restore if you pick the wrong thing

thrashing is when the HDD light comes on ...... and stays on for minutes at a time.

[bdol4886346]

I know (gosh) ! Never typed anything so long before,slow typist and in agony after with back and neck.
Boot C capacity is 74.5 GB and I now have 30.9 GB free after deleting some files, but boot up still same.( 160 GB full hard drive)
Sorry to sound stupid,but where is the HDD light?
Meant to mention yesterday, the blue light on monitor flashes until windows starts.
Thanks again for your help.
PS. Did disc clean up and defrag, it said there were some files that couldn`t be defragged.

[ACtheTROLL]

hdd light normally near to the power light ...(the one that flashes)

free space looks good ... I assume that once up and running system speed ok?

this is getting a little tekky
the next thing you need to check is your boot squence.
so you need to get into the bios ... when you switch on ... a few things will happen on screen ... one of them should be athe message "press xxxx to enter setup"?

sw off then on ... at the appropriate time press xxxx (the actual kes(s) vary depending on mobo.

once in there ... work through the menu to fing boot order
should read fdd - CD - HDD
if it says anything about network or pxe disable the option.

save and exit

while the system is booting ... note what's coming up on the screen .... that's my next question.

just a thought .... do you have a windows 98 bootdisk?
or any CD/DVD that boots? (even windows setup disk)

http://files.frashii.com/~bootdisk/newjersey/b oot98se.exe
if not dowload the image and make one

try booting - what happens?

[bdol4886346]

Thanks once again ACtheTROLL. Afraid it is a little too tekky for me,but I will try the bios and see what happens, if no luck I will have to get someone in.You are right in assuming everything is fine once booted,very speedy. If I turn off now I can reboot in seconds, it`s just when it`s been off overnight. My Windows is xp home version 2002. I have application and support disc and medion operating system installation disc.
Apologies for taking up so much of your time.

[ACtheTROLL]

Just one last though

you haven't configed virus/adware scanner (or some other scanner) to start at bootup?

[bdol4886346]

Just looked in inspector startup. The ticked boxes are speed touch, windows media connect, avg anti virus ,avg anti spy, zone alarm. spybot and windows defender. Switched on at 9.30 this morning and still nothing on at 1.30, decided to give up and ring someone, kept my finger on button to switch off,then "no signal" came up on screen so I switched back on and it booted up immediately.I`ll try switching off and back on tomorrow, but I`d still like to know what`s going on.

[bdol4886346]

Was very grateful for all your answers. Problem is solved now, from the beginning I thought it may have been the monitor at fault, but didn`t want appear to be stupid as no-one suggested it. Anyway I finally borrowed a monitor, and everything is ok now. Rang Medion and they`re going to fix or replace it. Just glad I bought from Aldi with their free 3 yr. guarantee.
Thanks again to all who answered.