X32, 1.8 GHz, 7200RPM HD, 1G RAM takes 55 secs to boot XP?

[silo]

I have an X32 that I like, and it's very fast, especially when renning at full 1.8GHz speeds, but it seems slow to boot--about 55 seconds. I've downloaded all the current stuff from IBM/Lenovo and current stuff for Windows, and have turned off some stuff started automatically by using TuneUp Utilities.

How can i speed up the boot?

[christopher_wolf]

Well, type in msconfig in the Run dialog box to bring up a list of all the processes that are designed to automatically start up (You can also use Process Explorer to better identify such processes beforehand); next, you could try cleaning up your registry a tad (Note: I would strongly recommend a you create a current backup before cleaning the registry by yourself or using software), running disk cleanup, then defragmenting your entire HDD. I have around 75% free space on my HDD (80GB @ 5400 RPM) with 1 GB of RAM and manage a windows boot time of around 35 seconds to desktop from a cold boot.

[silo]

Anyone else got hints on this slow boot problem? Seems like I read somewhere that it's easily done in like 30 secs or less, but now I can't find it.

[wolfman]

I agree with Chris: I've done similiar things to what he has described and I am booting in about 40 seconds or so. I don't think there is a quick fix unfortuntely, it takes a little tweaking and playing to get the right balance.

[silo]

Well, type in msconfig in the Run dialog box to bring up a list of all the processes that are designed to automatically start up (You can also use Process Explorer to better identify such processes beforehand); next, you could try cleaning up your registry a tad (Note: I would strongly recommend a you create a current backup before cleaning the registry by yourself or using software), running disk cleanup, then defragmenting your entire HDD. I have around 75% free space on my HDD (80GB @ 5400 RPM) with 1 GB of RAM and manage a windows boot time of around 35 seconds to desktop from a cold boot.

Thanks. Of course I have done all these to the best of my (limited) ability. I have several programs that purport to clean the registry and I use them often. I have cut everything I know I can (safely) cut from startup programs and processes. I defragment all the time. THis is a 7200 RPM Hitachi 80G and fast in loading and saving and general operation. Only at boot is it slow. Will take another pass at it and see what I can come up with. (Maybe there's a "boot fast" software on teh net somewhere that sets things up automatically?).

[carlnunes]

You have a couple basic options to speed up boot times.
MSCONFIG > STARTUP: Remove everything just to see if it helps (really important System startup items will add themself if critical).
BIOS > STARTUP: List your HDD first

A clean install always starts the fastest. Install XP (first), antivirus (second; I recommend AVG Free, very light!), Microsofts Antispyware(third; great for preventing applications from adding them selfs to your startup list), and then Windows Updates (fourth; All Criticals Only). Now as you're adding your applications watch for the Microsoft Antispyware tool to ask for your permission when apps try to add them selfs to your startup list.

Try tweaking your startup list and disabling System Restore. Some Evil Apps will add themselfs to your startup list again and again using System Restore. You can always restart System Restore if you want.

I hope this helps someone.

[nik]

I had a very long boot time until I set the Wireless Zero Configuration service to load automatically on startup. I had read somewhere here that even if you don't use Windows to manage your wireless connection, WZC should be loaded on XP machines with service pack 2 or later, since Microsoft had moved some driver loading software into WZC with SP2. And indeed, that one change cut 30 seconds or more off my bootup.