Why does it take my PC so long to boot up?

Question

I know, I know(!) this is a simple question and one often asked, but I'm coming more from the angle of is anyone going to do anything about it.

I realise on a Windows PC that drivers and programs are loaded with the start-up routine, but surely it doesn't have to be this way. Why can't the computer just switch-on and then load what it needs on a demand basis.

You wouldn't accept it if your car took 3-5 mins to start would you? Not to mention the environmental consequences of everyone leaving their computers on because of the broadband revolution to take phone calls and video messaging.

What I want to know is anyone able or working on an instant-computer and will this ever be released. Surely the market is huge, especially as we're heading towards a thin-client scenario.

I think their are a few people missing the real issue I'm talking about here. My PC itself boots up in about 1.5mins, however I have to wait about 2mins for it whilst the start-up programs launch. I have a fast PC and yes I do use a lot of programs, however this is not really what this questions about. I don't believe anyone with a Windows PC boots up in 'a few seconds' and even if it does, you are amongst the minority.

The question is asked more out of environmental concern. I am not looking for a solution to my PC problems, I am more looking for a solution to what I think is a global problem with 'most' computers.

...and is anyone doing anything about it?

Can I just re-iterate, this is a much more open question. I am not looking for a solution to my specific PC problems. This question is about how we move towards getting PCs which boot-up instantaneously. Apples are close, but still not close-enough!

I give up. There's only one person who's read this question, everyone else is just not paying attention. I DON'T WANT YOUR ADVICE ON HOW I CAN SPEED MY PC UP.

Answer 1

Okay interesting expansion of your question, and an issue I explain to many new PC users about start up files on PC...

I always set up PC to have minimum programs load on start up. after all you don't enter your house at night flick on switch and lights TV all electrical equipment comes on with that flick. However things such as fridges need to stay on 24/7.

The more complex the operating system (and don't we as consumers scream for better utilities and safer systems) the longer it will take to boot. add in all the anti this and anti that you need to stay safe and things get slower.

I now have a Mac and the loading/response is by far superior to any windows system.

Best question I've read on Yahoo.

Hopefully you'll get some interesting responses.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

start up times can be adjusted by using the run command"msconfig"
this will open the configuration utility and by using the start up tab you can select and deselect programs you wish to start or not start at the boot up
deselecting everything wont delete the programs ,just the strt up items,so this should be your first plan of action
you should then think of increasing your system ram by investing in a memory upgrade,a 512mb ram module can be bought for arounf £30 and this will help your boot up time
a virus and spyware scan should also be run to rule out any infection on the p.c and also a defragg ,but this is best done at night as if its pretty well fragmented it will take a bit of time
a windows re-installation would be another option if every thing else fails,but this should be a last option

Answer 3

I seem to recall my old 386DX2 with DOS 6.22 used to boot up in about 5-10 seconds?
Don't think it's the fault of the PC etc, think it's the Software OS. As nearly everyone is forced to use Microsoft, so as to be compatible with everyone else, the OS options are very limited.
I'm assured by many friends who know their computers inside out that there are much better OSs about - but not enough people use them to make them worthwhile.
My PDA boots up in an instant, and after all, that is a small simple computer (and Windows based!).

Answer 4

When your computer has eventually started. pull up the taskbar. click 'start', then 'run' in the dialog box type 'msconfig' then hit enter. look at the box you get up and see if it highlights 'normal startup' or 'selective startup'.
either way, highlight selective startup then go to the tab at the top which says 'startup'. if there are a lot of green ticks down the side, dont bother going through them just hit the button that says 'disable all' and then 'ok' it. click out of the dialog box and it will tell you to restart your system. do this! it should restart a lot faster than before and after its restarted there will be a dialog box telling you you have used selective startup. check the box in the bottom left corner which says 'do not show this message again' and 'ok' it.

hopefully that should work.

you might want to print this out.

Answer 5

First of all. If your PC is startin in 5mins. There can be a lot of probs like spyware, unecessary installations or runin services, bad uninstallations, registry conflicts etc. And thats the problem. Maybe your PC is not fast enough to work with huge loads. Maybe you're missin RAM, slow CPU. To save your time with startups, start usin Hibernation. It saves all work to RAM before shutdown and after restart everytin is in state where did u left it before. I dont think theres problem with long startups. My PC starts in few seconds even without hibernation.

Answer 6

I think I understand, then again I probably don`t, what you want???

Mine usually takes about1-2 mins to start up. Which for my PC is normal :-)
There is the chance that you have programs (that you do not really need at start up booting in also) If you have WinRocket you can stop these programmes from starting at initial boot.
If not, then open run and type in msconfig. Click on services and uncheck the programmes that you do not need at start-up.
You can always start them manually when needed :-)

Answer 7

i thinks that there r many problems in ur PC. I am giving u the whole list of tips to make windows start fast and i am sure that it will finally boost ur PC to a good speed. But you have to pay time to read all the page it also consist of knowledge at the bottom of the page.
Or u can also take the whole text format from me by mailing me at [e-mail]

Answer 8

So many possibilities - have you got a lot of programs installed on your main drive (probably drive C:)? Do you have alot of files/icons on your desktop? Did you used to have alot of programs installed and you've taken them off? Do you have a small amount of RAM? Are you asking the computer to open a lot of programs when it starts (eg virus protection, office startup etc)? Have you performed a defragmentation and disk cleanup recently - if not, do it. Try those and it should help.

Answer 9

You think its a problem? You should have been around for the commodore 64 or amstrad generation, they took 20 minutes just to load a tape programme game to play!

I do though agree with your sentiments, am sure we will see this in the future.

Answer 10

well my cousin's computer is also like that. and you know why?
because you have tooo much memory! you can try and delete programs that you don't use much or use this suggestion... You can go on a computer shop and ask for a space drive thingy for your computer for more space and they will give it to you cost around $30 to $100 however space you want.
And if it is laptop.........it is hard to put it in because you need to put it under the laptop keys (or buy a box memory that saves memory, you can use it on PC and laptop)