Long Windows Startup Time

[FordGT90Concept]

The computer is pretty high-spec'd:
-Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
-Core i7-3770
-MSI Z77A-GD65
-4 x 8 GiB DDR3-1600
-Quadro 4000
-2 x Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s in RAID0 on Intel RST

  <EventData>
    <Data Name="BootTsVersion">2</Data>
    <Data Name="BootStartTime">2012-06-04T11:54:09.640400200Z</Data>
    <Data Name="BootEndTime">2012-06-04T11:56:39.302661800Z</Data>
    <Data Name="SystemBootInstance">14</Data>
    <Data Name="UserBootInstance">9</Data>
    <Data Name="BootTime">82432</Data>
    <Data Name="MainPathBootTime">62832</Data>
    <Data Name="BootKernelInitTime">16</Data>
    <Data Name="BootDriverInitTime">639</Data>
    <Data Name="BootDevicesInitTime">1312</Data>
    <Data Name="BootPrefetchInitTime">19004</Data>
    <Data Name="BootPrefetchBytes">392634368</Data>
    <Data Name="BootAutoChkTime">0</Data>
    <Data Name="BootSmssInitTime">5503</Data>
    <Data Name="BootCriticalServicesInitTime">238</Data>
    <Data Name="BootUserProfileProcessingTime">235</Data>
    <Data Name="BootMachineProfileProcessingTime">0</Data>
    <Data Name="BootExplorerInitTime">4500</Data>
    <Data Name="BootNumStartupApps">17</Data>
    <Data Name="BootPostBootTime">19600</Data>
    <Data Name="BootIsRebootAfterInstall">false</Data>
    <Data Name="BootRootCauseStepImprovementBits">0</Data>
    <Data Name="BootRootCauseGradualImprovementBits">0</Data>
    <Data Name="BootRootCauseStepDegradationBits">0</Data>
    <Data Name="BootRootCauseGradualDegradationBits">0</Data>
    <Data Name="BootIsDegradation">false</Data>
    <Data Name="BootIsStepDegradation">false</Data>
    <Data Name="BootIsGradualDegradation">false</Data>
    <Data Name="BootImprovementDelta">0</Data>
    <Data Name="BootDegradationDelta">0</Data>
    <Data Name="BootIsRootCauseIdentified">false</Data>
    <Data Name="OSLoaderDuration">2963</Data>
    <Data Name="BootPNPInitStartTimeMS">16</Data>
    <Data Name="BootPNPInitDuration">1334</Data>
    <Data Name="OtherKernelInitDuration">36181</Data>
    <Data Name="SystemPNPInitStartTimeMS">37492</Data>
    <Data Name="SystemPNPInitDuration">617</Data>
    <Data Name="SessionInitStartTimeMS">38133</Data>
    <Data Name="Session0InitDuration">487</Data>
    <Data Name="Session1InitDuration">148</Data>
    <Data Name="SessionInitOtherDuration">4867</Data>
    <Data Name="WinLogonStartTimeMS">43636</Data>
    <Data Name="OtherLogonInitActivityDuration">14460</Data>
    <Data Name="UserLogonWaitDuration">184</Data>
  </EventData>

OtherKernelInitDuration appears extra long (everything I've seen suggests it shouldn't be over 10 seconds and it is over 35 seconds on every boot. I have no idea what happens during that though so I have no idea what to try.

There is very little software on this computer. I'd be satisfied with a 20 second improvement.

 

[Cold Storm]

Everything set in MSconfig to allow for faster boot? Also, is intels "rapid start" driver installed?

 

[FordGT90Concept]

From what I've read, Rapid Start only applies to sleep mode. This is cold booting/restarting. Sleep is disabled.

I'll try a minimal boot via msconfig...

 

[Cold Storm]

From what I've read, Rapid Start only applies to sleep mode. This is cold booting/restarting. Sleep is disabled.

I'll try a minimal boot via msconfig...

I'm saying the rapid smart due to the factor due to what I read a bit ago on intel's site when looking for a new Z77 board...

Intel's Smart Technology User's Guide

 

[erocker]

It's probably something like USB drivers. Try disabling things in the Bios (if possible) to see if the times reduce.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I'm saying the rapid smart due to the factor due to what I read a bit ago on intel's site when looking for a new Z77 board...

Intel's Smart Technology User's Guide

I did diagnostic startup and it made no difference. I can't give exact numbers because it disabled event logging too. It was long.

Smart Technology requires an SSD. This doesn't have one.

It's probably something like USB drivers. Try disabling things in the Bios (if possible) to see if the times reduce.

I'll try...

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I disabled PCIE Gen3, HPET, IEEE 1394, LAN, and HD Audio. Improvement overall was no more than 5 seconds, OtherKernelInitDuration was still over 35 seconds.

I can't disable USB because that's what the keyboard/mouse run off of. I don't even think it's possible.

I turned that stuff back on because it is kind of important. XD

I don't see anything else I could disable in the BIOS.


Edit: Got an error on that boot: BackgroundPrefetchTime (25964 Deregation Time)

I should note that the moment the computer hits the desktop, it is responsive. I don't think I would want to disable that even if it would mean faster boot times. I still don't think that's the root of the slow boot though.

 

[Cold Storm]

I disabled PCIE Gen3, HPET, IEEE 1394, LAN, and HD Audio. Improvement overall was no more than 5 seconds, OtherKernelInitDuration was still over 35 seconds.

I can't disable USB because that's what the keyboard/mouse run off of. I don't even think it's possible.

I turned that stuff back on because it is kind of important. XD

I don't see anything else I could disable in the BIOS.


Edit: Got an error on that boot: BackgroundPrefetchTime (25964 Deregation Time)

Sorry about the rapid smart.. I misread the term on SSD...


Is it a new os?

 

[AsRock]

My Maximus mobo was really slow and even more so when IDE was turned on in the bios. My external DVD player can do it some times too.

 

[erixx]

Try freeware Soluto, a boot times manager for lazy suds... ...

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I tried Soluto and it didn't tell me anything about what was taking forever to boot.

Motherboard has no IDE nor FDD. Two SATA LG BluRay burners are plugged in and a bunch of stuff on USB (mostly hubs). That's about all.

 

[95Viper]

Ford, you are on the right track; you might be interested in these links.
I know you like details.

Use Windows 7 Event Viewer to track down issues that cause slower boot times

Windows On/Off Transition Performance Analysis

This paper explains the Windows on/off transitions in detail, highlights performance vulnerabilities within each transition, and shows how to identify and analyze these issues by using the Windows Performance Toolkit (WPT). The guidance in this paper can help significantly reduce on/off transition times.

This paper is intended to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), independent software vendors (ISVs), independent hardware vendors (IHVs), and systems analysts improve system response times.

This information applies to the following operating systems:
Windows 7
Windows Vista

Microsoft's hidden diagnostic tool unlocks Vista startup secrets

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Is it a new os?

Two OS installs (one about a week ago and again now) with the same slow boot issue. This current install happened about 18 hours ago. It only has Windows 7, Office Professional 2010, some Cyberlink software (for Bluray playback/burning), and CyberPower Power Panel installed. Everything is updated.

Ford, you are on the right track; you might be interested in these links.
I know you like details.

Use Windows 7 Event Viewer to track down issues that cause slower boot times

Windows On/Off Transition Performance Analysis


Microsoft's hidden diagnostic tool unlocks Vista startup secrets

Investigating...

 

[Shou Miko]

have u tried bios update of the mb and firmware update of the SSD?

just wondering sometimes they can do magic stuff ^^;

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Mobo EFI version is highest available (10.5 I think).

I won't touch the firmware on the Seagate drives. I've heard too many horror stories about them getting bricked via firmware.

Both drives individually passed Seagate's Long Generic test and SMART test.

The RAM survived memtest86 4.0b server 9 passes with 0 errors.


Edit: xbootmgr and xperf are in the Windows SDK:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8279

I don't think it is wise to install that on a client computer that may be delivered in a few hours (just waiting for one part). The document linked did not mention OtherKernelInit once (not even OtherKernel) so even if I bloat the computer, there's no guarentee I'll learn anything from it.


Edit: The download is 408.1 MiB with Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate already installed. I guess I can install it on my computer so I'll have it.

 

[Cold Storm]

Mobo EFI version is highest available (10.5 I think).

I won't touch the firmware on the Seagate drives. I've heard too many horror stories about them getting bricked via firmware.

Both drives individually passed Seagate's Long Generic test and SMART test.

The RAM survived memtest86 4.0b server 9 passes with 0 errors.


Edit: xbootmgr and xperf are in the Windows SDK:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8279

I don't think it is wise to install that on a client computer that may be delivered in a few hours (just waiting for one part). The document linked did not mention OtherKernelInit once (not even OtherKernel) so even if I bloat the computer, there's no guarentee I'll learn anything from it.

Have you tried a register cleaner yet? I've seen boot times better after the cleaner has done it's job a few times. I've all ways ran ccleaner 3 times after a new install. Also any time windows updates..

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Will try, the Windows SDK route isn't feasible...

 

[erocker]

Two SATA LG BluRay burners are plugged in and a bunch of stuff on USB (mostly hubs).

You tried disabling them and it still took a long time? Since it's some sort of kernel problem (which I have little knowledge on) perhaps, it has to do with the Windows installation itself?

 

[erixx]

mamma, usb hubs WILL make boot longer, and Cyberpower would be my next UNinstall, considering how unsmart videocodecs are.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Have you tried a register cleaner yet? I've seen boot times better after the cleaner has done it's job a few times. I've all ways ran ccleaner 3 times after a new install. Also any time windows updates..

No change.

You tried disabling them and it still took a long time? Since it's some sort of kernel problem (which I have little knowledge on) perhaps, it has to do with the Windows installation itself?

Can't disable USB. I can try unplugging the burners...

mamma, usb hubs WILL make boot longer, and Cyberpower would be my next UNinstall, considering how unsmart videocodecs are.

CyberPower is critical because it's UPS managment. It was doing it before Office, Cyberlink, and CyberPower software was installed.

The hubs are off of the USB headers (2xUSB2-A, 2xUSB3-A). There isn't any external USB hubs.

 

[95Viper]

I don't think it is wise to install that on a client computer that may be delivered in a few hours (just waiting for one part). The document linked did not mention OtherKernelInit once (not even OtherKernel) so even if I bloat the computer, there's no guarentee I'll learn anything from it.

Sorry, I thought it was for a system you were building for yourself and you wanted to reduce your boot time.
Naw, I wouldn't load it on a client.
__________________________________________________________________

Try Autoruns for Windows v11.31

I use it regularly to eliminate start-up items, boot items, and other junk or unneeded/unwanted items.

This utility, which has the most comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and shows you the entries in the order Windows processes them. These programs include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys.

 

[erixx]

there is no sorry button but i mistaked cyber link and -power. you for sure noticed but anyway sorry.

If nothing improves, I fear hardware errors... -or virus infection...- HW Errors could be an unreliable SATA cable that makes hardware detection on bootup taking forever... Take a brand new cable for your boot HDD and do not connect anything else...

 

[baggpipes]

Superfetch loading that memory? So much memory...

 

[FordGT90Concept]

You tried disabling them and it still took a long time? Since it's some sort of kernel problem (which I have little knowledge on) perhaps, it has to do with the Windows installation itself?

BluRay drives made no difference.

Try Autoruns for Windows v11.31

I use it regularly to eliminate start-up items, boot items, and other junk or unneeded/unwanted items.

All those registry entries have been triple checked and all the junk software removed from boot (namely, CyberLink). It has to look deeper than the obvious in order to yeild any results on this one.

If nothing improves, I fear hardware errors... -or virus infection...- HW Errors could be an unreliable SATA cable that makes hardware detection on bootup taking forever... Take a brand new cable for your boot HDD and do not connect anything else...

The UEFI BIOS boot very fast and everything that should be detected is detected.

There's more likely to be flies on the moon than a virus on this computer (it did it before the LAN driver was installed).

All cables are brand new.

Superfetch loading that memory? So much memory...

<Data Name="BootPrefetchBytes">392634368</Data>

392 MB...
You'd think that would only be about 4 seconds...
Oh:

<Data Name="BootPrefetchInitTime">19004</Data>

19 seconds total. According to my computer, that's actually pretty quick.


Has anyone else ran Windows via the EFI: Windows Boot Manager? That's what is very unique to this system and maybe what is causing the delay.

 

[Laurijan]

Maybe your rig just need 35sec... Try Win8 - I have been told it much faster in boot. Or get a SSD.