"Windows Starting" Screen For Extended Period of Time

[Kicore]

Hello, my laptop is having difficulty getting past the starting windows screen. The problem I've diagnosed is that the hard drive has no activity for a while (5-7 Minutes), and then once it spins up its fine from there. The logging in screen works well, and fast, the logging out is fine as well. Sometimes there's simliar problems with shutting down. It will sit at shutting down for 3-7 mins after it successfully went through the logging off section in under 3 seconds. I have tried restoring windows OEM built in to my laptop, also through a CD, both ways, my HD was formated. I've ran spyware, malware, registry cleaners many of times with no luck. Please help!

[Allan]

1) How long does it take to boot to safe mode?

2) DO NOT use registry cleaners. They CAUSE problems, they do not cure anything.

[Kicore]

In safe mode, the last command that is issued in the startup takes about 1-3 mins. Its the same though, once its to the second windows screen, the login, its fine both ways. It's just the hard drive doesn't realize its job or something for a little bit lol

[Allan]

I don't understand your last post. How long does it take to boot to safe mode?

[Kicore]

3 mins on average

[Kicore]

If it helps I have one hd error that wont repair when using my manufacturers hd scan.

[patio]

Time to start thinkin about replaceing it...it'll only get progressively worse.

[Kicore]

I've got no problem replacing it, I just want to make sure if I do that, the problem will be solved.

[Kicore]

Is there any way the BIOS is outdated, or any software could be corrupted, or drivers? I just want to completely exhaust all options because I know HDs are non returnable when opened. Also, If I install the new HD are there any components that would prevent it from working properly. I heard from my cousin that its possible that the HD is taking a long time to spin up initially because its not getting a sufficient amount of power. Could that be possible? If so how would I troubleshoot that? It would make sense because my battery driver has been acting funky lately. By this I mean, it will say no battery detected, or battery plugged in but not charging in the notification tray on the bottom right.

[Allan]

If it takes 3 minutes to boot to safe mode and more than double that to boot to normal mode, please try this:

Open msconfig and on the General tab choose "selective startup" (uncheck all three items) and reboot. Does the problem still occur? If not, start adding items back to msconfig one or two at a time, rebooting after each change, until the problem reappears and you'll have identified the offending process. This is clearly a time consuming procedure, but it is the best way to determine if some process loading with the system is the cause of your problem.

After you've isolated the cause, do not use msconfig to permanently disable the process. Instead, if it is a service go to START - RUN and type: services.msc (then press enter) and disable the service OR, if it a program, you can download & run a simple app such as Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel (http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml) to enable, disable, or otherwise manage startup programs.

[Kicore]

Tried it, but as there is no programs or anything installed as this is a fresh copy of windows, it did not do anything. Its not the second screen thats slow, that works fine, its the starting windows screen where the windows file begins to build its login screen based off the hd.

[Allan]

Well, then I agree with patio - try a new hd.

[Kicore]

Thanks guys Ill try that and get back to you.

[Salmon Trout]

Just seeing the topic title, I thought "HARD DRIVE".

[Allan]

Yeah, I know. But I prefer to be as thorough as possible before advising someone to spend money.

[patio]

His power pack sounds a bit dodgy as well though...