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Thread ID: 101442 2009-07-15 09:56:00 VERY SLOW BIOS BOOTUP straka01 (310) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
791813 2009-07-15 09:56:00 My son has a PC running XP pro with Pentium 4 processor, heaps of RAM and a nvidia ge force graphics card.

Lately it's been REALLY SLOW to boot up during the BIOS stage.
Actaully it gets to the screen where it says:
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Award Bios v6.00PG
L4S8A2 ver 1.0b 11/20/2002
Main Processor Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHZ
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HERE IT HANGS FOR ABOUT 3-4 MINUTES
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Then it detects the HDDs in a flash and loads the OS straight away.

I've tried tips & tweaks found on Google at:
www.delete-computer-history.com
but there's no improvement at all.
Although I didn't work out how to disable Onboard Sound & Graphics... don't know if that would have helped or not?
I used CCleaner & RegScrub also. Have AVG virus protection (fully updated).
I've got all the latest updates from Windows Update (except IE8 which I don't like)... including all the optional updates.

Should I try to upgrade the BIOS (flash it)? If so where do I go for this.

Once it boots to windows it runs well.

Any ideas appreciated...
straka01 (310)
791814 2009-07-15 09:59:00 Try unplugging all hardware except the motherboard, CPU, RAM and monitor.

IF your mobo doesn't have integrated graphics leave that plugged in as well..

See if it boots faster.
Blam (54)
791815 2009-07-15 11:12:00 Sounds like its hanging when its detecting the hardware. Sounds like some hardware is playing up

AVG etc wont help, since its not happening in windows. Its happening before it boots into windows. If you want to update the BIOS, you'll have to find out what the brand/model of the mobo is first. Go to the site get the update (and flash utility) if there is one. Then either copy both on a floppy / usb flash drive. Then update it. If its an ASUS, DONT use the liveupdate program in windows, it'll probably freeze then kill it
Speedy Gonzales (78)
791816 2009-07-18 11:12:00 I finally got it to boot up faster - it was a card reader causing the issue. Once disconnected - it booted up quickly.
Now, I can't get the damn thing to shut down - it just hangs on 'windows is closing down' forever... What do I check, change now?
straka01 (310)
791817 2009-07-18 11:20:00 Unplug the reader if its still connected. It could be stuffed or something. Does it show the name of a program, thats hanging? Speedy Gonzales (78)
791818 2009-07-18 11:59:00 I unplugged the reader & it made it boot quicker. It's been unplugged since then - don't realy use it anyway.
I wished it would tell me which program was causing the hang. It doesn't.
Tried changing settings in the bios - no change.
Tried changing settings in msconfig - but when it doesn't shut down I don't think they're saved?
It's been a long day so in the morning I might try uninstalling zone alarm firewall - reboot & reinstall - might be the cause.
Interesting thing, I got the sound going & then went to update the driver - the sound stopped working! Perhaps it's the same problem - it couldn't shut down to reboot so maybe the changes weren't saved? Anyway, I got the sound going again by rolling back the driver so that was a small win.
Thanks for all your help. We'll get to the bottom of it eventually I'm sure.
Are there any programs that streamline your OS for a quick shutdown? I know they're not necessary if all works as it should... but just wondering?
straka01 (310)
791819 2009-07-18 12:07:00 Look in the event log for hanging programs on shutdown (run>eventvwr) Blam (54)
791820 2009-07-21 21:05:00 I had a look but I'm not sure how to identify the one causing problems. Are hanging programs marked or is there a time shown? straka01 (310)
791821 2009-07-22 07:39:00 There should be shutdown catergory, from there you can see programs taking a long time to end. Blam (54)
791822 2009-07-22 12:45:00 Was it hanging on shutdown before you unplugged the card reader, if not perhaps its driver needs removing also (if it has one). feersumendjinn (64)
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