Thinkpads Forum

New T60 with 2GB RAM received last week. During bootup, machine sits for 50 seconds at the Welcome screen step. What else can I do to speed up this step which seems exceedingly slow?

Once booted up, machine runs exceedingly fast to expectations.

Here is the cleanup I have performed so far.
1. Removed Symantec software and replaced with ZoneAlarm Internet Suite v6.5 which includes anti-virus software (also ran a virus scan and found no problems). I used the Norton removal tool at http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ts ... 3108162039 to remove parts of Symantec software that the uninstaller left behind in registry, etc.

2. Also removed Google and Picasso software that decided I did not need.

3. Cleaned up msconfig startup entries. I went to http://www.sysinfo.org/ to determine if processes were required (Y) or not (N) or optional (U-user choice). I've got the list down to 65 processes, unchecking about 15 or 20 processes, but the remaining processes only consume a few or several K of RAM each according to ProcessExplorer at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysint ... lorer.mspx. Among others, I unchecked from msconfig such functionally as an enhanced touchpoint functionality (I use a separate mouse anyway), the Message Center (amsg), software to eject the machine from the docking station which can be done thru the Start Programs menu), jusched (Java script update check, I use Firefox 2.0 nearly always instead of IE which includes the Java script I need). Any other suggestions? I don't want to disable any Thinkvantage software I may need in the future.

4. Confirmed no spyware or adware on PC using Spybot v1.4 which only use as a scanner. I also have the Pro version of Lavasoft Adaware with Adwatch which does not permit registry changes without my approval.

5. I used the EasyCleaner registry repair tool which is free and highly recommended over other cleaners at http://www.informationweek.com/LP/showA ... queryText= It found 121 entries. I even used this tool to cleanup excess Temporary files deemed not needed.

6. I ran a PC Doctor hardware scan and found no issues.

7. Also did a defrag of the hard disk using Diskkeeper.

This is my first Thinkpad, so any help is appreciated.

also use the bootvis tool from Microsoft to check whats causing the long boot times. Sometimes the system just sits idle waiting for couple of unnecessary programs to load.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BootVis

I think I had the same problem.

At the beginning, I had Symantec Client Security installed and the system rebooted fine. But there was a minor issue with the Anti-Virus software, so I removed Symantec and installed McAfee Internet Security 2007. Surprisingly, at the Windows login page, after I swiped my fingerprint, my T60 just stayed frozen showing the message of "Authenticate users....". I tried to reboot the system multiple times, to no avail.

So, I removed McAfee and installed ZoneAlarm free edition. This time around, my reboot was exactly like you described: It would take more than half a minute at the stage where McAfee froze my system. This is unacceptable, so I removed ZoneAlarm and reinstalled Symantec. Now everything is back to normal.

I figured there must be some compatibility issue between these 3rd party security programs and Lenovo's embedded security chip. Because all the freeze-up occurred during the user authentication stage. For ZoneAlarm, even if I was able to login, it still displayed some alarms about problems that I believe belong to the ThinkPad Client Security system. I didn't try to turn off the embedded security chip to test my conclusion because I kind of love it. You can give it a try to see if turning that off solves your problem.

Thanks for the replies.

The machine now sits at the Welcome screen for 30 seconds, which I can live with, with total boot time of appx 2min 20sec. As time permits, I'll do some more tweaking.

I removed Thinkpad AccessConnections software, among others, which I was not planning on using anyway which helped much with the load time. I removed additional sotware and items in msconfig, after reading up on them and finding them not planning to use nor were critical for system operation, getting the processes at bootup down to around 50 according to Lavasoft Adwatch and around 15 items checked in msconfig.

Though Symantec is a major player and used in the past, I much prefer what I find is the more user friendlier Zone Alarm, plus had eight months left on an existing paid scription which includes anti-virus, etc.

You need to use a reg cleaner to get rid of all the junk left behind by Symantec..... Even though you uninstalled it, you can be sure that tons of junk was left behind in the registry.

Best to you

[quote="Truthfinder"]You need to use a reg cleaner to get rid of all the junk left behind by Symantec..... Even though you uninstalled it, you can be sure that tons of junk was left behind in the registry.

Best to you[/quote]

Used the Norton Removal Tool downloaded from the Symantec website and the EasyCleaner reg cleaner.