Bootup Time 7:00 Minutes! [WinXP]

[Rewired]

Hello friends. I turn the computer on and it gets to the Windows XP boot screen pretty fast, then it goes to a completely black screen except for a small white cursor bar at the top blinking. The computer stalls like this for a full 7:00 minutes. I clocked it. Then the Welcome screen comes on. Does anyone know why it might stall like that? If there is anymore information I could provide that might help in diagnosing the problem please ask. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank a lot.

[profdlp]

My first guess is that something which Windows "thinks" should be loading on startup is corrupt.

It might be worthwhile to run the test from your hard drive manufacturer as well. It's always nice to get possible hardware issues out of the way before going on a hunt for a software glitch.

[Operator]

Just a thought, but is there any type of media disk in any of your drives when you boot?

[Rewired]

Operator, there is no media in any of the removable media drives. I double checked. :csimon:

[Rewired]

Operator, I'm sorry. I don't know if USB counts as removable media but I figured out that the USB cable connected to the printer was causing the 7 minute boot up. As soon as I disconnect the printer (USB) the computer boots up real fast. Why is this happening? How can I connect the printer without the USB screwing with the boot up time?

[Thrax]

Sounds like a driver issue. Completely uninstall and reinstall your printer. :)

[Rewired]

Working on it now!

[Rewired]

I completely uninstalled and reinstalled the printer, installed the printer server. This worked brilliantly. Thank you Thrax. Worked on Spyware removal and cleaned up his system. All in all I spent 5 hours on this guys machine today (in two 2 1/2 hour sessions) and end of the night rolls along and I don't get paid. :confused:

He's my friend's father so I didn't want to out right say "5 hours, that'll be $150" but I expected to be compensated as he's paid me in the past. Bummer! I don't know how to approach the whole fiscal side of the job. Should I be paid per task? More fairly would be hourly. It's possible he'll get around to paying me but it left me with a bitter taste in my mouth, even after a successfully executed job, in all other respects.

Really ShortMedia did most the work anyways. :thumbsup:

[Operator]

Glad its all sorted.
Im sure if you were to ask the guy for the money he'd understand. You did fix his computer after all...
:thumbsup: