faster boot ups?

[AL Romero]

besides msconfig is there a way to make XP boot faster. i see systems advertised as boots in 40 second. and i thought if they can do why couldnt i.

 

[JigPu]

You'll want to download and run Bootvis for the fastest XP boot times. I'll try to dredge up a link

JigPu

 

[JigPu]

Linkage courtesy MajorGeeks.com

JigPu

 

[AL Romero]

thank you have you used it???

 

[JigPu]

Yup, use it after every install, and if my system is booting a lot slower than usual.

JigPu

 

[XunknownX]

How much of a difference in boot times do you see?

 

[redduc900]

Nothing against JigPu, or anyone else that uses Bootvis for that matter...but I just thought I'd point out a couple of things that I know about it:

"Please note that Bootvis.exe is not a tool that will improve boot/resume performance for end users. Contrary to some published reports, Bootvis.exe cannot reduce or alter a system's boot or resume performance. The boot optimization routines invoked by Bootvis.exe are built into Windows XP. These routines run automatically at pre-determined times as part of the normal operation of the operating system."

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hwdev/platform/performance/fastboot/default.mspx

After having experimented with the program myself a number of times, I found that Bootvis (run immediately after Setup) will put things into about the same order that they will settle into within about three weeks or so throughout XP's normal optimization routines. I found out from my own experience that it's not a good idea to run it after that time though, and have the two methods fight over detail...but running it initially can do a bit of immediate speed up (as JigPu mentioned). One other point to mention is the fact that any changes made by Bootvis are irreversible...also, the program doesn't work with RAID arrays (which is normally where the OS is installed to, when running RAID).

I've also read of a number of people that have ended up with corrupted files by using the "Optimize" feature of the tool. Also (from what I've read), MS have withdrawn it from provision to end users because advice to use it was resulting in people running it every day or so, and in fact making things worse...afa the two methods conflicting with one another.

 

[tbones1337]

i changed something in the registry and it cuts down times by 3-5 seconds..

 

[ninthebin]

turn off everything that starts with your comp - keep your HDD tidy and defraged would be my tip. I was just setting up my neighbours new pc and his takes around a minute to boot and its just all the crap that came with it (norton and some silly HP software)

 

[AL Romero]

as is now after using msconfig im booting at about 53 seconds. it has inproved a lil on its own because when i first installed it was booting at 58 to 59 second.

Redduc900-
im not sure what u were talking about in the PM u sent me. I dont understand much yet about the O Systems. this is only my second computer and and my first i got about 8 or 9 months ago so im still pretty new. if you have the time and dont mind can u go into more detail about lowering my boot times.

thanks all for you help,
al

ps in gunna look in a back issue of maximumpc cuz i think they had something about boot times in one of there back issues. hopefully i still have it.

 

[redduc900]

One thing you may want to try is to clean out your 'Prefetch' folder, using the 'Prefetch Clean and Control' program I linked to below. The prefetch folder contains information regarding the optimal disk layout of program files so they launch quicker. You may delete all those files, but XP will rebuild that folder so that your computer runs as efficiently as possible. After deleting the prefetch files, your computer's performance will suffer slightly until the prefetch folder is rebuilt. It takes approximately three reboots to properly rebuild the prefetch folder contents. The following ExtremeTech article goes a little more in depth on the prefetch folder...

Windows XP's Built-In Optimization

Windows XP Prefetch Clean And Control 1.2.0

Regarding the System Configuration Utility (MSConfig)...MSConfig was a utility added to Win98/Me to allow people with little or no knowledge of computers a graphical means of temporarily controlling some of their PC's startup functions. It was primarily intended as an aid to troubleshooting, to be used by the user only while being talked through the process by telephone tech support personnel. Instead of using MSConfig to permanently disable items from starting, remove the program(s) shortcuts in the Startup folder.

You can view the list of your startup programs by looking in the following directory...

C:\Documents and Settings | All Users | Start Menu | Programs | Startup...and in the Registry, primarily under the following Keys...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE | SOFTWARE | Microsoft | Windows | CurrentVersion | Run

HKEY_CURRENT_USER | SOFTWARE | Microsoft | Windows | CurrentVersion | Run

These can also be viewed by right-clicking My Computer-->"Manage" and expanding System Tools | System Information | Software Environment | Startup Programs. To prevent any of them from starting at login, you'll have to delete shortcuts from the startup folder and/or edit the Registry. Since you're not that familiar with XP, I would strongly suggest not deleting or editing anything in the Registry...I only made a note of the "Run" Keys for your information only.

 

[mayagrafix]

Also you could disable multiple pesonalities if you are only user of PC. I just use hybernate, and do a complete on/off trip every once in a while.

 

[AL Romero]

REDDUC900 -

I got the Prefetch Program and an wondering what to click on.

monitor application launch only
monitor boot file launch only
or both???

and do i need to "clear perfech folder now" first and then click one of the above and restart or what is which order???

i read the article and did what it said to better XP.


MAYAGRAFIX-

im afraid i dont follow you. how do i disable multiple personalities??? i am the only user.

 

[redduc900]

Click on the 'Clean Prefetch Folder Now' button first, then select the 'Monitor Application and Boot File Launch (Windows Default)' radio button. After that, just click on the 'Set Prefetch Parameters' button and reboot.