ATTN computer wizards

"Frank Grimes" (FrankGrimes) 03/17/2015 at 01:33 • Filed to: None

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I have a SSD and WIN 8.1 64bit installed on it. Lately it has been taking a lot longer to startup how the heck to I figure out what is wrong? The windows logo pops up real fast the spinny thing spins and loads to a black screen that does nothing for like 30seconds and then the login screen pops up and I can login and goes to desktop really fast. Its the 30 seconds of lag at the black screen that is super annoying.

I have already disabled some programs from the startup but no idea what to do next.

Flavien Vidal > Frank Grimes 03/17/2015 at 01:37

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Format... When things go slow, a good format and a clean install solve all your problems...

Jedidiah > Frank Grimes 03/17/2015 at 01:39

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Now's about the time for me to say to stop using Windows, but I'm not going to do that.

How much data is on the Windows installation? It gets pretty slow when you start installing a bunch of shit or generating a bunch of files.

Check for viruses too, make sure everything is up to date, remove junk files. You know, the usual.

Axial > Frank Grimes 03/17/2015 at 01:41

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Check for fragmentation and defrag if you haven't already done so. Yes, SSDs can get fragmentation.

The other thing to consider is that Windows 8, like all versions of Windows before it, still uses a registry system. This gets full and cluttered over time, as the entries made for programs don't usually get completely wiped when said programs are uninstalled. This causes the OS to slow down, and is often referred to as "Windows rot." Only easy, reliable solution is to just back up your stuff, reformat, and re-install Windows. I don't know how long you've been using 8, though, so it may not be rot at all.

You might also consider checking your SSD's manufacturer site for any firmware updates. I know my SSD (Crucial M4) would constantly lock up the PC after a year of use due to a firmware error. New firmware fixed it right up.

Frank Grimes > Jedidiah 03/17/2015 at 01:44

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I ran CC cleaner and malwarebytes. The windows folder is 17.4 GB the drive is 120GB with 63GB free.

StoneCold > Axial 03/17/2015 at 01:46

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^ All of these things.

Also out of curiosity: How old is the SSD you are using, Grimes?

Jedidiah > Frank Grimes 03/17/2015 at 01:47

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Read what Axial said, I can't really think anything else that can be done about it.

Unless something has gone wrong with the SSD itself, then it's probably just the nature of the beast.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Frank Grimes 03/17/2015 at 01:53

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windows 8 and up should have a system refresh option in the control panel iirc. try that before fully reformatting, as it allows you to keep your applications and files installed, while it basically dusts the system off.

Frank Grimes > StoneCold 03/17/2015 at 02:15

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Like a month old.

E92M3 > Frank Grimes 03/17/2015 at 06:37

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Check the MSCONFIG file, and see what all is on the "Startup" tab. See what is starting when windows launches and uncheck unnecessary items. Google for an explanation on how to perform this.

Two Drink Minimum > Axial 03/17/2015 at 08:02

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If you're on an SSD, defragmentation probably isn't the problem. Mechanically, SSDs work completely different from spinning hard drives. Based on the fact that your system is otherwise responsive, I'm guessing you have some service or application loading at startup that is getting hung up or otherwise causing a conniption.

You can try running the MSCONFIG.exe utility from the Start menu's Run text box. It should include in the General tab an option for Diagnostic startup. That will only load basic devices and services. If your startup routine suddenly gets snappier, then you know the problem is in amongst the startup services somewhere.

Have you installed any new software or utilities right around the time the slow down occurred? Changed anti-virus programs? Added new hardware. The Windows gods anger easily. It's possible you changed something that's creating this delay.

Axial > Two Drink Minimum 03/17/2015 at 09:12

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I'm not the one having issues. My computer is just as snappy now as it was last year.

As for file fragmentation, MS's analysis tool has reported fragmentation on the SSD before when I nabbed it between automatic defragmentation cycles.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Frank Grimes 03/17/2015 at 09:28

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Somewhere in Windows there's a performance diagnostic tool that can help determine what's taking up a lot of boot time, etc. I don't recall its name (don't have a Windows 8 machine handy) but you should be able to find it through help or the Googles.

If that shows a particular application is taking forever at boot time, for example, then you can uninstall / reinstall / repair that app.

Frank Grimes > Two Drink Minimum 03/17/2015 at 12:34

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I tried the different startups with MSCONFIG and it worked like it used to in diagnostic and selective startup. I tried with normal startup and it was slow again. I think it might have something to do with Catalyst Control Center which is a AMD switchable graphics program which is a piece of crap and has never worked well. I might just delte it all and see if it helps. But then I cant use my other graphics card.

Frank Grimes > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny 03/17/2015 at 19:24

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It is the windows assessment console. And it takes forever to use! But it did show me a bunch of things it things are causing the slow booting but I have no idea what to do with the information.