Slow boot problem and solution

[richk]

I identified a problem where TVTSCHED (thinkvantage technology scheduler) started using 100% CPU at boot time on 2 machines that both were completely clean. (factory software reinstalled, all microsoft updates, all thinkpad driver updates) One machine is a T43, the other is an X41 Tablet. Both machines would take 20 minutes to boot. The common point I found is that both machines had fingerprint readers with no prints enrolled. (I don't know if that is important) My solution was to go to control panel/administrative tools/computer management/ services and change the startup parameter for TVT Scheduler from automatic to manual. I contacted Lenovo and opened a case.

[Johan]

Rick:

Thanks for reporting this; my T42p (Win XP SP2) has recently done exactly the same... incl. today - right from boot time using 100 % CPU. Since I have no use for any automatic Lenovo-updates (- remember: "If it ain't broken, don't fix it!"), I have disabled "tvtsched.exe" in the registry (HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services) using the free and very good system utility by Sysinternals/Microsoft: AutoRuns for Windows. I am very interested in hearing the explanation for why this has started to happen?

Oops, I should add that the boot time of my T42p is as usual (or perhaps slightly longer - but no more than approx. 10 sec - and that I do have a fingerprint reader, and that I do use it for logging in). Also, I disabled tvtsched.exe recently, to get rid of the problem, but since then it has re-enabled itself (?!), since it is now again enabled. If it keeps doing this, it may face a trip to the waste-bin in a not too distant future...

PS: If you could get them (Lenovo) also to have a look at their utility ThinkVantage System Update, that would be interesting.. the current version (3.02.0005) simply doesn't work for me... it downloads the stuff selected, but it won't install anything (it even won't install a Hotfix for itself!?). Actually, I'm not too impressed with Lenovo for therir current version of "System Update" - it worked far better in the old IBM "Software Installer" days!

Best regards,

Johan

[Johan]

Update:

Yesterday, after reporting the above, I completely uninstalled Lenovo's not-functioning "System Update" utility (it just doesn't work for me at all... sometimes downloading stuff not at all intended for my ThinkPad, and never wanting to install any of the downloaded drivers, updates etc.). In stead, I got hold of the latest version of IBM's good, old Software Installer - you may find a link to it in the thread Is it me or is System Update 3 rubbish?! (see the post of Wed Oct 03, 2007 3:48 pm). Note that Software Installer has been removed from most IBM sites, since it is being replaced by the (currently) useless "System Update - so if you want, get "Software Installer" while you still can!

Now, the interesting thing is, that if looking in my registry today (using "Autoruns for Windows"), I note that the troublesome "tvtsched.exe", which I yesterday disabled (but otherwise left the entry intact in the registry - in HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services); this entry is now all gone! So, judging from this, "tvtsched.exe" must have something to do with the (unusable!) "System Update".

Try get rid of "System Update", and see if the problem dissapears!

Best regards,

Johan