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    Slow reboot issues...

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by adrian5683, Aug 22, 2011.

  1. adrian5683

    adrian5683 Notebook Evangelist

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    I've just installed a Seagate GoFlex Pro Ultra-Portable USB 3.0 external drive without installing any of its software. Everything seemed to work fine, until the last reboot after uninstalling Roxio Creator Starter. At the second boot screen (showing the alien head and boot options) it takes about a minute or two for that progress bar to load, after which everything loads smoothly.

    Has anyone run into slow reboots like that? Thanks.
     
    adrian5683, Aug 22, 2011
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  2. Dreamliner330

    Dreamliner330 Notebook Evangelist

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    Try unplugging the USB drive. The BIOS is looking for information off that drive, thats whats taking so long.
     
    Dreamliner330, Aug 22, 2011
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  3. adrian5683

    adrian5683 Notebook Evangelist

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    I see... is there a way to have BIOS not search the external drive on startup without unplugging it every time?
     
    adrian5683, Aug 22, 2011
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  4. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Try changing the BIOS boot order to place the USB/removable drive after the HDD that you're booting from.
     
    The Revelator, Aug 22, 2011
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  5. adrian5683

    adrian5683 Notebook Evangelist

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    It seems BIOS doesn't detect the external drive, all it gives me as boot options is Hard Drive, CD/DVD and Network... any other ideas?
     
    adrian5683, Aug 22, 2011
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  6. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Well, it should. When I plug in a Seagate FreeAgent USB (2.0) drive into my R3, it shows up in the boot order as USB Storage. Which suggests it can't see or identify your drive, which may be what's causing the delay. I have never loaded any drivers or software for that USB drive, so it's using Win 7 drivers. You might try installing/reinstalling the Dell USB 3.0 driver to see whether that lets your computer recognize the drive. I'm speculating here; I've never seen this particular problem before.
     
    The Revelator, Aug 22, 2011
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  7. Dreamliner330

    Dreamliner330 Notebook Evangelist

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    Drivers affect OS, not BIOS.

    There may be an area of the BIOS where you can set which Hard drive to use...and set the internal drive as it.

    If it is truly an issue where your BIOS does not recognize your External HD, removing it will be the only solution to speed up boot.
     
    Dreamliner330, Aug 22, 2011
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  8. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Good point. The boot order is the area of the BIOS where you set which hard drive to use. That's what we've been talking about.
     
    The Revelator, Aug 22, 2011
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  9. adrian5683

    adrian5683 Notebook Evangelist

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    So, after trying a few things, still no luck. This is the Seagate Support reply:

    "Depending on where the slow down is occurring, it could be a few things. If its while the system is shutting down, then its just Windows having to stop processes accessing the drive which can take a few moments. If its on start up, it could be a legacy USB drive in the BIOS that is trying to access the drive. Some BIOS have support for older USB devices such as keyboards, and this support can cause issues at times. Just look through the BIOS for any legacy USB options and disable them."

    The drive is recognized just fine in Windows, I also tried every other USB port... It's just annoying it isn't recognized in the boot order. It's definitely a hardware problem since my Toshiba Satellite reads it in BIOS just fine.

    Any other thoughts?
     
    adrian5683, Aug 23, 2011
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  10. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    In BIOS switch the option to search for other boot devices to Disabled.
    Set your internal HDD as primary boot device.

    iPods cause this too, it took forever to boot if it was plugged in before turning it on.
     
    katalin_2003, Aug 24, 2011
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  11. adrian5683

    adrian5683 Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm using A08 BIOS and I see no such option... Would running Diagnostics in the Boot Options menu help?
     
    adrian5683, Aug 24, 2011
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  12. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    I think there is no such option and I got confused, I never found any solution for the iPod either, I just plugged it after Windows booted.
     
    katalin_2003, Aug 24, 2011
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  13. adrian5683

    adrian5683 Notebook Evangelist

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    Haha, I guess I'll have to get used to it. Funny thing is, that happens only on restart. If I shut down and power back on it loads fine...
     
    adrian5683, Aug 24, 2011
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