XP Boot problem

roy_rajat · 08-09-2006, 09:58 AM

Dear guys
Since last few days i have suddenly come across this problem of my computer taking a long time to boot up. Essentially what happens is just after the memory tests the black Windows XP screen seems to hang on for about a minute. During this time the hard disk LED stays on continuously.
Then after sometime it displays the log on screen. And everything else seems to be more or less fine after that. I have run msconfig diagnostic startup mode but it doesnt help the problem. I have done the routine anti spyware, adware and virus test as well. My PC is celeron 2.4GHz with 512MB DDR Ram and 128MB graphics. Can anyone help me out here??
Thanks
Raj

Christian Darrall · 08-09-2006, 10:29 AM

I would say that it is either a memory problem or and overclocking problem,

usually in the cases stated above, resetting the bios via the jumpers on the motherboard,

does anything happen during the memory tests, or any indication that its not happy with running,

if this doesn't solve the problem diagnose all memory slots

EDIT: heres a link to another forum that might help you out

http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com...ot-screen.html

roy_rajat · 08-09-2006, 11:30 AM

Thanks for the suggestion i will check out the forum. I have not overclocked and neither does it come up with any problem during the memory test. And this problem has just come up in last few days. Prior to this everything was fine and i have not made any hardware or setting changes. The only thing that i have done is install a fresh update of Zone Alarm Security Suite. But if this would have been the prblem then it should have been resolved with diagnostic startup from msconfig.

Christian Darrall · 08-09-2006, 03:50 PM

i would highly doubt that an update from any antivirus program would stop the OS from booting up.

but check if it hangs or just has trouble booting up, sometimes it will stop but will continue after a while.

roy_rajat · 08-09-2006, 04:33 PM

No it doesnt hang forever, It just sits there on the windowsXP black screen with the busy ticker moving side to side and hard disk light glowing constantly. And then after about 2-3 mins it moves forward and boots up normally. For me what has been most intriguing is this started suddenly out of nowhere.

codeman0013 · 08-09-2006, 04:37 PM

this sounds to me like a hardware problem i have seen lots of computers with one little problem with a card not fully seated(they can come out with the slightest bump or sometimes just with use and vibration from speakers) or worst case i have seen hdd's going bad that do this before they die i would reccoment scanning your computer's hardware using like pcpitstop or something like that to ensure all things are coming back ok..

roy_rajat · 08-11-2006, 11:49 AM

I have scanned the hard disks (CHKDSK) and they seem to be fine. Is format the only option now??

Matt73 · 08-11-2006, 01:33 PM

When a hard drive is just about to die it tends to cause long pauses as the ones you are describing.

Try to run this to see if it's a hard disk problem:
http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm

08-09-2006, 09:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
roy_rajat Bronze Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 43	XP Boot problem Dear guys Since last few days i have suddenly come across this problem of my computer taking a long time to boot up. Essentially what happens is just after the memory tests the black Windows XP screen seems to hang on for about a minute. During this time the hard disk LED stays on continuously. Then after sometime it displays the log on screen. And everything else seems to be more or less fine after that. I have run msconfig diagnostic startup mode but it doesnt help the problem. I have done the routine anti spyware, adware and virus test as well. My PC is celeron 2.4GHz with 512MB DDR Ram and 128MB graphics. Can anyone help me out here?? Thanks Raj

08-09-2006, 10:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Christian Darrall Platinum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 17 Posts: 899	I would say that it is either a memory problem or and overclocking problem, usually in the cases stated above, resetting the bios via the jumpers on the motherboard, does anything happen during the memory tests, or any indication that its not happy with running, if this doesn't solve the problem diagnose all memory slots EDIT: heres a link to another forum that might help you out http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com...ot-screen.html __________________ 1.5TB 3.0GBS Panasonic SATA XFX 9600gt Dual core X3 (super SLi) Intel Quad Core Oc'd 6.7ghZ 1000w power supply 3GB ddr 3 1200MHZ Antec Water Cooling XP Professional 19.1 inch Widescreen Last edited by Christian Darrall; 08-09-2006 at 10:34 AM.

08-09-2006, 03:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Christian Darrall Platinum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 17 Posts: 899	i would highly doubt that an update from any antivirus program would stop the OS from booting up. but check if it hangs or just has trouble booting up, sometimes it will stop but will continue after a while. __________________ 1.5TB 3.0GBS Panasonic SATA XFX 9600gt Dual core X3 (super SLi) Intel Quad Core Oc'd 6.7ghZ 1000w power supply 3GB ddr 3 1200MHZ Antec Water Cooling XP Professional 19.1 inch Widescreen

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08-09-2006, 11:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
roy_rajat Bronze Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 43	Thanks for the suggestion i will check out the forum. I have not overclocked and neither does it come up with any problem during the memory test. And this problem has just come up in last few days. Prior to this everything was fine and i have not made any hardware or setting changes. The only thing that i have done is install a fresh update of Zone Alarm Security Suite. But if this would have been the prblem then it should have been resolved with diagnostic startup from msconfig.

08-09-2006, 04:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
roy_rajat Bronze Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 43	No it doesnt hang forever, It just sits there on the windowsXP black screen with the busy ticker moving side to side and hard disk light glowing constantly. And then after about 2-3 mins it moves forward and boots up normally. For me what has been most intriguing is this started suddenly out of nowhere.

08-09-2006, 04:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
codeman0013 Diamond Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Inside my network at work Age: 23 Posts: 1,468	this sounds to me like a hardware problem i have seen lots of computers with one little problem with a card not fully seated(they can come out with the slightest bump or sometimes just with use and vibration from speakers) or worst case i have seen hdd's going bad that do this before they die i would reccoment scanning your computer's hardware using like pcpitstop or something like that to ensure all things are coming back ok..

08-11-2006, 11:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
roy_rajat Bronze Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 43	I have scanned the hard disks (CHKDSK) and they seem to be fine. Is format the only option now??

08-11-2006, 01:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Matt73 New Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2	When a hard drive is just about to die it tends to cause long pauses as the ones you are describing. Try to run this to see if it's a hard disk problem: http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm