long Boot-up

[MrFizzbin]

I am having issues on shutting down. Between the time I click on "Start" > "Turn Off Computer" and the next screen (which is "Switch User" / Log Off" / "Restart" / Shut Down") I have to wait an unusual amount of time (about five minutes or so). This was never the case. Strangely... when I start the computer up, and only use it for a brief amount of time, then shut down, the previously mentioned problem does not occur. I'm thinking there is an app. in the background that isn't shutting down normally and Windows is having an issue with it. Also, but less frequently, Boot-up takes more time than usual. POST starts normally and there are no issues there. Then it hands-off to WinXP SP2. And that is where the problems begins: between the Loading Windows screene, and the sign-in screene. It takes much longer than usual.

Anyone have any ideas on either one of these issues? Any help woud be appreciated.

 

[htmlman]

I would do an ad ware scan to see it there is malware writing information to files. It sounds like there are files being updated before shutdown.
As for boot up the prefetch is brought into service. It is the part of the OS that loads parts of the programs that are most often used. You can type in there run line Prefetch and it will open the folder that houses the information used. You can delete the contents in the Prefetch and it will rebuild as you use programs that the OS knows are used most. It is built into the OS. This is the way programs boot faster in XP.

 

[NickCat11]

I would follow htmlman's post first but here is another option to try if you have no success. Go to start, run, and type in msconfig. Under the general tab make sure selective startup is checked. Then move on to the startup tab (should be the top right tab). Go through that list and check off any of the progams you know for sure that you don't use. Make sure to leave your antivirus and firewall apps checked. This should help the overall speed of your cpu when it boots up and shuts down. Hope this helps. Take Care

Nick

 

[BadBigBen]

Another avenue to check up...

1.) give your NIC a static IP adress. Reason is that when windows boots, it searches for an IP and this can take some time... this can be found under the TCP/IP (got to highlight it) and then click on extended... ie. IP: 192.168.0.1 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

2.) under the Services, set the WIA Service to MANUAL...

3.) turn of prefetching and indexing...

about the shut down...

is it possible you have used a Tweaker on your XP system? if so you may have ticked the option to delete the Pagefile.sys...
Start/Run/Regedit {RETURN}

maneuver to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ControlPanel\Desktop\AutoEndTask set this to 1 if it is not already...

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ControlPanel\Desktop\HungAppTimeOut set this to a value of around 20...

this should take care of the hickup at LogOff...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[MrFizzbin]

Nope....didn't work..still stuck with same problem. I smell a re-install *shudder*.

 

[linney]

What are your experiences if you try Safe Mode?

The answer may indicate the approach to take to solve the problem.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

Some general things to try.

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Explorer.

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.


If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp