Pavilion 8556C XP Slow Boot

[John_601]

Upgrading to XP didn't work well so I did a clean install.
The PC runs well and is stable but takes a full 4 minutes to cold boot.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks, JJ

[Roger Faucher]

JJ:

How much real memory does your system have and how much free space on drive C:?

The maximum real memory is 384MB. I suggest you maximize it if you haven't already. Then make sure the virtual memory (paging file) is set to 576MB to 768MB
If you haven't already done so, run Disk Defragmenter.

If no improvement, click Start/Run and type MSCONFIG and Enter key. On the Startup tab, try Disable All and if that helps, add things back in until you find the 'offender'.

HTH

Roger

[Norman_21]

Hi,

Does it take full 4 minutes when you cold boot or during logon process. Please clearify.
Also, you may try the bootvis.exe from MS. Please find it as attached.
Thanks

[Uvaraja]

Hi,

Improper usage of system resources by programs/applications decreases the performance of the system in Windows XP. You may experience low system performance due to any of the following causes:

* Programs currently open.
* Graphics intensive effects in Display properties.
* Virtual memory settings.
* Unessential Services loading at Startup.
* Programs running in background.
* Memory leakage and restarting Windows.

You can improve system performance through these methods:

* Close currently open programs

Open background programs use computer memory and resources. These will usually be shown as an icon in the Systray. The Systray is usually located in the lower-right corner of the monitor. Closing unused programs in Systray will make these resources available for other tasks. To close a program, right-click the button or icon and click Exit or Close.

NOTE: Some programs like AntiVirus applications should not be disabled. To identify a program, hold the mouse pointer over each icon. The program name will be displayed as a tool tip.

* Change the Visual effects in Display properties:

1. Click Start, select Control Panel, and choose Appearance and Themes.
2. Select Display.
3. On the Appearance tab, click Effects.
4. In the Effects dialog box, deselect the items not required.

* Change the visual effects in System Properties:

1. Click Start, select Control Panel, and choose Performance and Maintenance.
2. Select System and click the Advanced tab.
3. Click the Settings button under Performance.
4. On the Visual Effects tab, click Custom.
5. Deselect the options that are not required.


* Change the Performance Options settings in Windows XP:

Performance options decide the amount of RAM significantly used on the computer. You can change Virtual Memory setting by following these steps:

1. Click Start, select Control Panel, and choose Performance and Maintenance.
2. Select System and click the Advanced tab.
3. Click the Settings button under Performance.
4. Select the Advanced Tab.
5. Click the Change button under Virtual Memory.
6. Now under Virtual Memory click Change.
7. Set the RAM value.


NOTE: To avoid the page file from being defragmented, set the same increase to value for the Initial size and Maximum size. The recommended the paging file is found by multiplying the
system RAM by 1.5. For example, if 256MB of RAM is installed on the machine, then 256x1.5=384MB should be the RAM value.

8. Click OK and restart the system.

Indexing service is a small program that requires a huge amount of RAM. The indexing Service program is not necessary and can be disabled by following these steps:

1. Click Start, select Control Panel, and choose Performance and Maintenance.
2. Click Administrator Tools.
3. Click Services. The Services Window opens.
4. In the right-pane, double-click the Indexing Service entry from the list of available services. The Indexing Service Properties window opens.
5. Set the Startup type drop down menu to disabled.
6. Click Apply and OK.

NOTE: The following services are unessential and can be disabled from loading at Startup by performing the above-mentioned steps:

Distributed Link Tracking Client
Error Reporting Service
IPSEC Services
Portable Media Serial Number
Remote Registry Service
Wireless Zero Configuration

* Stop background programs from loading at Startup

Installing many programs on the computer can often clutter the registry with unnecessary programs running when your computer starts up. This will slow down the system and take up memory. System Configuration is a utility which can help to reduce the programs loading at Startup.

1. Click Start and select Run.
2. Type "msconfig" and press Enter.
3. Click the Startup tab.
4. Deselect the programs you do not want to load at startup.

NOTE: To load a deselected program at Startup, repeat steps 1-3 and select the program.

* Ensure there is no memory leakage

The following troubleshooting steps help to identify if any particular program is slowing down the system performance. Your system may perform well when it is first started or restarted, but slows down after several programs have been opened and closed. This issue is due to memory leakage. Closing a program before it is fully opened also causes memory leakage.

To resolve the memory leakage issue, follow these steps:

1. Restart the computer.
2. Press the CTRL, ALT, and DEL buttons simultaneously.
3. Click the Performance tab. Note the amount of available physical memory.
4. Open a program that might be causing the computer to run more slowly.
5. View the amount of physical memory again and write it down.
6. Close and open the program repeatedly after every 10 seconds.
7. View the amount of physical memory and compare the number recorded in step 5.
8. If the system resources continue to decrease, then a memory leak is occurring. Contact the program manufacturer for available solutions.

If the System Resource percentage or available memory returns to the same numbers each time, then the program is not causing a memory leak.

These procedures will improve the system performance in Windows XP.