Slow T61 boot time (Win XP Pro)

I run Win XP Pro SP2 (factory install) on a T61. Initially the number of processes running right after startup & login was 65+ and the boot time was 2min+. I disabled services and programs that I didn't need and it came down to about 47-48 processes after startup & login. It still takes about 1.5min+ to boot. To me that is still *way* slow. My Dell M90, which also has win XP pro SP2, boots and is ready in 30 seconds with more programs/services loaded.

Here is the question: Has someone here found out what/which program(s)/services is causing the slow T61 boot?

Btw: fresh at boot about 245MB of memory is in use. Then after starting one program (wordpad type) and closing it memory use is up at 380MB. Is this normal? The machines has 2Gigs of RAM. (Same number of processes running as with the 245MB).

I have played around with disabling various services etc but nothing seems to have a major impact. The only service I could not disable was some IBM/Lenovo backup service.

Yes, I know I can do a clean install (has been discussed in this forum), but for now that is not an option. Sorry if this has been asked before - I could not locate a thread discussing anything but clean installs to fix this. Perhaps someone with a clean install could post their list of programs/services running after boot. That would be very helpful.

Thanks,
- SFR

 

Well I also would like to know what if any programs I could delete without going into the full blown clean install process especially since some on this forum seem to have had a few issues with this process.

I'm also running WXP Pro and do not have the Turbo memory. I guess I should be gratefull as other than the very protracted boot up, the machine is great.

 

See what happens when you disable/enable Access Connections or the Wireless Zero Config service. Or more easily, disable Wifi in the BIOS and boot up, and see if it makes a difference. Sounds like it could be the nefarious 120 second "network delay" bug.

 

SFR if you could be more descriptive in this slow boot up - does it take a long time while it is in the loading phase? (Win XP Logo and the cycling bar) or is it after you log on (Loading your personal settings...) ? That can also describe a lot and help narrow down why the computer takes so long to turn on. I have a T60 and mine is about 40 seconds. I essentially uninstalled all the ThinkVantage software except for the essentials, or what I think I should keep - Access Connections (not really needed), power manager, the active hard drive protection, and that's pretty much it.

 

Here is a little extra information that hopefully can be useful. The machine is set up with a password. I have tried two things: 1. immediately enter my credentials (finger print) as soon as the login prompt appears. XP then claims it is "loading personal settings" for one minute+. 2. I let the machine take its time on boot and then enter my login credentials after 3-4 minutes. It takes at most 10 seconds to pass the "loading personal settings" stage.

I am guessing that there are some general services (not related to personal settings) that are being started, but don't know how to track down the culprit(s) under Windows.

Thanks for the pointer on the wifi - I will try that tonight and report back. Is is better to disable it in BIOS than to flick the wireless on-off switch? I went through the bios settings but don't recall an option for enable/disable wifi or bluetooth for that matter.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.
- SFR

 

There is an option for BT / WiFi in the BIOS, but the switch is more convenient.

I dont quite understand your method in logging on - you first say you use the fingerprint reader, log on, then ENTER the login credentials again?!

It could be the networking problem of the ethernet trying to find a connection, that generally takes a minute. however mine doens't do that anymore.

 

Sorry for the unclear wording. At the login screen I can either enter my password or use the fingerprint reader. I used the fingerprint reader in both cases. The only difference was that in the first test I swiped my finger as soon as the login prompt appeared, while in the second test I let the computer sit for about 3-4 minutes after the the login prompt appeared. In the first test the "loading personal settings" took 1minute+ while in the second test it took about 10 seconds.

Thanks again for looking at this.
- SFR

 

I think that is probably due to the networking then. If i remember correctly you have to set the Ethernet NIC to auto power down when nothing is connected - the "Deep Sleep' state i believe is in the options under the Device manager. I had the same problem and thats how i fixed it.

 

Disabling WiFi (bios) did not solve the problem. I uninstalled some additional ThinkPad programs/services/features (e.g. the rescue) and disabled system restore. This brought the number of processes at startup down to 38. It now takes about 40-45 seconds from boot until I get the login prompt and it take about 1:15-1:20 from boot until "the music plays" after login. This is with a cleaned registry and a freshly defragmented hard disc. I am not very impressed. Should I be happy with this??!

Thanks again to everyone helping.
- SFR

 

Does "boot" mean the moment that you press the power button? o.0

Did you try disabling the NIC?

If you really care that much perhaps you should try a clean install - while it is kind of a hassle, it is generally the sure-fire way. I believe there are a few threads that cover how to do this in great length.

 

acaurora,

I looked for a place to change the NIC settings. You said to look under the device manager. I tried this and various other places, but did not find anything about the deep sleep state that you referred to in an earlier post. Any further pointers on where to set/toggle this state would be much appreciated.

By the way, can the biometric hardware/software cause a slower boot time?

Thank you.
- SFR

 

For what it is worth: I reduced the boot/startup time using bootvis and by disabling some services and non-essential startup programs. The time from the bios image appears until I have logged on and see the desktop is 55 seconds with the wireless switch on and 45 seconds with the wireless switch off. bootvis had the biggest impact as far as I could tell.

- SFR

 

My guess is that the fingerprint reader doesn't start in time. There's a fix for Vista at Microsoft, but not (yet) for XP.