Topic awaiting preservation: Windows Startup Slow... (Page 1 of 2)

... and I mean very slow! There's absolutely nothing on startup except for the default crap still it takes like forever just to start. Actually what happens is that the system starts all hunky dory, but as soon as I login to my account (Windows XP) I can't do anything for several minutes and sometimes (recently alot of times) the system just goes dead, I have to reboot the system just bring it back to life

I've installed the Windows XP latest hotfix and tried to install SP2 but it kept giving an error that the Windows CD Key is invalid... oh well anyone know what gives???

Here lie the remains of Templar654's sig... *sniff*
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The only thing I can think of atm is defrag everything including your virtual memory, and check for virus and trojan infestation. I guess you will have done those things and more, but I'm stumped for any other suggestions as well.

:::tao::: ::cell::

I would recommend doing a System Restore to the point before you installed the updates.
I've had MS completely mess up my PC's performance after installing "critical" updates. The last time this happened it also erased my system restore points, which left me with no other choice other than to format.

Good luck.

"Nothin' like a pro-stabbin' from a pro." -Weadah

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I've had MS completely mess up my PC's performance after installing "critical" updates. The last time this happened it also erased my system restore points, which left me with no other choice other than to format.

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Been there, done that, W2K at work totally died on me after an auto update...
Sigh...

My XP @ Home was slow as h*ll after logging in until I cleaned up the desktop from a myriad of shortcuts & defragged all 80 Gb... It took time, but overall performance improved with at least 200 %, no kidding.
/Dan

{cell 260} {Blog}
-{ ?Computer games don?t affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we?d all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music.? (Kristian Wilson, Nintendo, Inc, 1989.) }-

I did do a defrag and tried to do system restore no luck *sniff* I guess I'll have to check with Microsoft's site *grumble* *grumble*

Here lie the remains of Templar654's sig... *sniff*
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Might be an idea to run the system file checker.

If all else fails, I have revived more than one Windows installation by running an installation repair from the CD. You have to re-install any updates you had, but it has worked for me.

==I don't believe it! Somebody stole my sig!!==

In your Windows folder there's a folder called Prefetch delete all files in there and restart the pc. You should notic an improvement as soon as you login if that's the problem.

http://www.tweakxp.com/tweak525.aspx

-=BmF=- Clan

no luck

Here lie the remains of Templar654's sig... *sniff*
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no luck I starting to think the Pong Me curse is doing it's stuff!

Here lie the remains of Templar654's sig... *sniff*
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What does your CPU usage look like, at startup? (assuming that you can call up the Task Manager?)

Is it running close or at 100%?

WebShaman | Asylum D & D | D & D Min Page

I'd also recommend disabling all services that you don't use, in general.

http://www.blackviper.com/

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." -- Arthur C. Clarke
"Any sufficiently arcane magic is indistinguishable from technology." -- P. David Lebling

Ya know, I had an old network card that was giving me issues once... once. I yanked it out because I wasnt using it anymore and voila! My slow start-up problem was gone.

If you've recently gone from DSL to MODEM [weeping sounds are heard] ahem... [throat clearing] the old network card might be checked by the OS for a connection... over and over. This can seriously lag the PC.

If you have any hardware you're not using, AND are familiar with whats what on the inside of the machine, you may want to take the old card out and see if that helps.

Or....

Just kick it! ,

______________
Is This Thing On?

Los Angeles Computer Repair

Well I have noticed that ever since I got my LAN card the system has started to lag. Perhaps that's the case. But I can't just get rid of it I use the LAN practically everyday and I haven't any excess hardware so that's out of the question.

There's gotta be some way to solve this dilema

Here lie the remains of Templar654's sig... *sniff*
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Whenever it's possible, assign your computer an IP instead of setting it to "retrieve an IP automatically". That way, you computer won't have to find an available IP and might start up a bit faster.

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templar654 said:
I've installed the Windows XP latest hotfix and tried to install SP2
but it kept giving an error that the Windows CD Key is invalid... oh
well anyone know what gives???

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You could always try buying Windows XP...

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metahuman said:

You could always try buying Windows XP...

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There's a remote chance that the copy of Windows he bought was assigned one of the CD-Keys on the blacklist. Not a huge chance, but a chance nonetheless

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poi said:

Whenever it's possible, assign your computer an IP instead of setting it to "retrieve an IP automatically". That way, you computer won't have to find an available IP and might start up a bit faster.

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Sounds interesting... more info please

Here lie the remains of Templar654's sig... *sniff*
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I'm not a network expert, but that point was valid with Windows 98, and it makes sense that if you set the TCP/IP protocol to obtain an IP address automatically, it will take a while for Windows to scan a range of IP addresses and find an available one. Actually you can quickly try with the automatic IP retrieval on and off and see if there's a noticeable difference.

If you force an IP address, use something like : 192.168.0.xx where xx is a number between 2 and 253 ( 1 and 254 are usually reserved for the passerelle ( is it "gateway" in english ) and the DNS ). Set the mask to 255.255.255.0 to allow all kind of IPs of the form 192.168.0.xx, and set the passerelle ( or "gateway", sorry my W2K is in French ) and primary DNS to the IP address of the IP address of the computer sharing your internet connection ( or your file server if you're offline ). Well, you got the idea.

Can some network experts confirm that setting an IP address has an impact on the startup up time of Windows XP ?

My God, doesn't anyone use good software anymore?!
It might also be something to do with the power source, maybe it's not powerful enough. This can affect how components work, from hd's to the cpu. Rather obvious that at load time pretty much everything is working full steam draining your source. Also if you have spontaneous system shut down you can be quite sure it's the source. It might not be managing to cope. Try disconnecting something that eats a lot of juice, like a drive, or undo an overclock. If it runs fine it's for sure that the source is what's faulty.

Keep an open mind and a closed skull but don't outlive your happiness.

I'll try that in a moment, but I just noticed this. I finally managed to get the Task Manager up and EEEP 100% CPU Usage!!!! I don't have alot of programs installed and I checked for any spyware nothing!

Here lie the remains of Templar654's sig... *sniff*
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(Edited by templar654 on 10-01-2004 05:23)

Poi, here's your confirmation:

Setting a static IP address has no impact on the startup time of a windows machine.

For one thing, with DHCP it's actually the server that's scanning the list of available IP addresses and assigning one to the computer. Also, once that address is assigned the lease is usually valid for at least a day depending on the lease expiry settings so once it's assigned it's static for quite a while.

I also would not recommend setting a static IP if you're using the NIC for broadband since most broadband providers use DHCP and you can make bad things happing by trying to specify an IP address that may conflict with devices using that address already.

The 192.168.0 subnet is reserved for general usage and is usually the address your computer will use if DHCP is not detected on your network, so you should be okay using addresses in that range.

However, like I said, none of this should have any impact on your performance.

For your performance problem, while you're in the Task Manager, go to Processes and click on the CPU column and see which process is eating up all your cpu time.

~edit~ As a quick note, the easiest way to find out exactly what's starting up open regedit and do a search for "run" with only "Keys" and "Match whole string only" checked.



(Edited by silence on 10-01-2004 05:28)

silence: Fotunatelly I said "I'm not a network expert"
Thank you for these explanations.

Poi: No worries, mate. Just helping out.

But I will be looking for you with my php questions, hehe.

Not setting a static ip if no DHCP is around *does* affect start up time, simply because windows waits around for an dhcp to answer. At least with windows 9x, that timeout was 15 seconds or so - quite a while for a feature that couldn't work in the first place (since there was no DHCP) around. And I wouldn't think the timeout to have become much shorter - though I'd expect newer windowses to just 'go on' with the rest of booting.

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What does your CPU usage look like, at startup? (assuming that you can call up the Task Manager?)

Is it running close or at 100%?

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I finally managed to get the Task Manager up and EEEP 100% CPU Usage!!!!

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Well, that is the symptom, of your problem, please follow the advice, of checking which actual processes are Eating up your CPU resources.

That, in turn, will give you a place to start.

For example, there was a case (happened to me) where ZA (process LSASS) was runnning very high, causing 100% CPU usage.

This came about, when one had the trial proffessional version, and reverted back to the "normal" version of ZA...then the CPU usage shot up to 100% - a re-install of ZA and then only yusing the normal version solved this problem for me.

WebShaman | Asylum D & D | D & D Min Page

The DHCP check is done largely at the network layer so there should be no noticeable delay. The only time you may notice it is if there's an address conflict, which shouldn't happen with DHCP anyway.

Even so, the only time you would notice would be the first time you connect to the network. After that, there is no check since either a.) a DHCP server was found and a valid leas was granted or b.) no DHCP server was found and the default address of 192.168.0.1 (with XP and 2000) was used.

However, as far as the problem is concerned, I think Webs is on the right track for a resolution.

Ok I noted down the processes that took up alot of usage.

WINMON.EXE -- Around 60-70
SVCHOST.EXE -- Around 20-30
explorer.exe -- Came up at first but then shot to zero in an instant

All the rest were at 00 only these two were using the system up. I know svchost has some connect with Sasser but I got rid of it well not entirely I know that's not possible but it was working fine in the long run.

Here lie the remains of Templar654's sig... *sniff*
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You might find this usefull.

Winmon.exe isn't a virus or trojan in itse'f although there are viruses and trojans that drop themselves into your process tree as winmon.exe, so be aware.

Also regarding svchost.exe, it's not always bad, and you'll often have multiple instances of it running, read here to find out more.

In your instance though, it might be a program that leaking badly or some malware that's using up your processing power

Oh, and explorer.exe is your shell, the taskbar, the right-click menu, the system tray etc. This will usually spike when you first load, don't worry about it.

Good luck!

Cheers,

Al.

[edit]whoops![/edit]

(Edited by Blaise on 10-01-2004 15:01)

I would suggest Ad-Aware SE, Spybot, and Hijack This! - and let them all run through your computer. i have found, that in today's internet environment, if you are running WinXP and are connected to the internet, then you will probably have multiple running spyware, tojans, worms, viruses, hijackers, etc on your computer.
I constantly run the above programs, normally once a week out of habit, sometimes ofter, depending on my machines performance. Any dip in performance, and out come my sniffers.

it really is starting to take on ridiculous proportions. I sincerely hope, that Linux succeeds with it's desktop version plans, and that it becomes a real viable OS.

WebShaman | Asylum D & D | D & D Min Page

WebShaman: By curiosity, do you often find some spywares, trojans, worms, ... on your computer ? and which browsers, mail client, office applications do you use ?

Browser - Firefox PE, No mail client, and no office applications, I have ZA with Anti-V, and I am behind a router.

Sometimes, I find a lot of stuff on my computer, sometimes, I do not. Probably has something to do with my surfing habits, and the amount of DLs that I do.

Still, I have had various worms, viruses, etc...especially before I switched to Firefox.

To date - my Server has not been infected by anything...it has a good Firewall, and is well protected, and is not used for surfing..

WebShaman | Asylum D & D | D & D Min Page

Hmm I'll have to note all that down, also I missed one thing out System Idle Process this one takes around 96 most of the time when everything else is around zero. Is this thing good??

Here lie the remains of Templar654's sig... *sniff*
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System Idle is ok...it means that your CPU is "marching time" - i.e. has nothing to do. System Idle is a "code Loop" for your Processor, so that it feels busy...hehe.

WebShaman | Asylum D & D | D & D Min Page

Kill the System Idle process
Sorry.

You can't kill the idle process - As WebShaman said, this is simply a way of displaying the amount of slack left for other processes. If this process is running high, then your CPU is not being used much.

If you are worried about malicious software running on your machine, install some anti-spyware (as essential today as a firewall and antivirus). Like WebShaman, I use Adaware and Spybot (etc) to keep tabs on nefarious hijacking activities.

Also, download and install the free, third-party Control Panel applet, Startup.cpl - this forms part of my 'carry-everywhere' toolkit.
Once installed, you can easily remove, move, or disable/delete any items from all of the Windows startup locations.
Determine what is running at boot - if you don't like it, disable it. If you are later happy with the results, delete it (the panel keeps a trash-can). If it turns out to be something you want to keep on startup, you can always replace/re-enable it.
If something malicious is calling svchost, or simply running from bootup as winmon.exe, you may be able to pull it's startup call from here - plus, it is a quick way of finding the installation path of unknown startup pests.
You can also set this to warn of any attempts to add something to the startup lists.

To be honest, I have always been told that setting a static IP address can be quicker than leaving it set to DHCP, but the only time this makes a noticeable difference to me is when I'm using Powerquest Image Centre boot disks at work - and we're overhauling this soon so that we'll be booting straight from the network anyway.
In Windows, with your IP address being provided by your router/modem, I doubt it would make an appreciable difference at all.

One thing that may speed things up is disabling any network cards that you are not using - you can always re-enable them if you find that you need them.

___

Considering your latest experience, have you run an error scan of your hard-drive lately?

I haven't had time to do more than pop in here a couple of times today, and I will be going away for a week on business soon, so post what you do and whether or not you find a solution, and I will get back to you on my return to London.

Work, work, work.... *sigh*

Ok I've solved my slow startup problem... sort of the start up time has decreased exceptionally but it's still slow. I did a full system defrag (again) a scan disk plus got rid of everything in the Prefetch folder.

But my system usage is still at 100%. And that's making the system really lag also my server port (Port 80) don't work?? I can't install any server and I can't recieve files over MSN/YIM man my system is in deep shit

Can anyone recommend any good Anti-Virus/FireWall software (Free please!!)

Here lie the remains of Templar654's sig... *sniff*
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ok have you run any spyware removers? If not try this one Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.3 Final
Run it and look for a DSO exploit and examine any other problems it finds and fix the ones that you know nothing about. s for a good AV/firewall not sure on that.

-=BmF=- Clan

templar, I don't suppose you could post a screenshot of your task manager with the top processes in terms of processor time?

Well there you have it

Here lie the remains of Templar654's sig... *sniff*
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Geez, where do I begin...

Okay, my first question is whether you're using this as some type of server or internet gateway on a home network. You've got some networking services that are running (such as MQSVC.EXE) but since I'm not intimately familiar with WinXP this could be part of the normal OS service suite.

Next, let's go over a few of the items on the list:

WINMON.EXE
This is a popup killer and it's taking the majority of your CPU time. Kill this and see if anything jumps to the top and/or you're still at 100% CPU usage.

MQSVC.EXE
Microsoft message queueing server uses this and unless you have some specific use for it, I'd either remove it or I'd just kill the process if you can.

SVOHOST.EXE
And I've saved the best, err worst, for last. This is a backdoor trojan. Get rid of this immediately.

Now, I'm not sure if you've run a virus checker on your machine or not, but you need to do so.

For a good virus check, you need to do the following:

1.) Disconnect your computer from the internet physically. I mean it. This is the only way to ensure that you're not getting reinfected while you clean up your PC.

2.) Run the virus checker in Safe Mode if at all possible. Also, if you can boot up into safe mode without a problem then either you installed something which is impacting performance or you've got a virus.

3.) After running the virus checker in safe mode, reboot and run it normally.

4.) After the computer is cleaned and virus protections have been installed, update and patch your machine. However, I'm not gonna be 100% on this last tip since I haven't been hearing good things about XP service pack 2. But that's a different thread.

I hope this helps.