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General discussion

8 Minute bootup time

May 26, 2010 1:35AM PDT

My 3 month old Gateway 4831-01e with Intel core I3 processor 530 and 6GB DDR3 and 1 TB HDD running Win7 Home Premium 64 was lightning fast until yesterday when the trial Norton ran out and I installed a new copy of Norton 360. Now it hangs on the First Gateway logo for 5 full minutes showing on that screen "Del:Enter Setup and F12:Boot menu"
When it finally moves off this screen to Starting Windows it takes 45 seconds to the glowing windows logo and 2 more minutes to the welcome
screen. after that it performs normally at it's original high speed.
I have deleted the Norton 360 and cleaned it out with the Norton file cleaner which was no help. Then tried booting with no Norton, also with a fresh Norton 360 (downloaded) and again using the Norton DVD. None made any difference with the 8 minute boot speed.
I then did a full virus scan with updated virus definitions. No help.
I have done a full memory test with no help.
I have Booted from my repair disk with no help.
I have stripped out the startup programs to the minimum- no help
I have used system restore to 3 different restore points but none of them actually worked- even with Norton Off.
I have run Glary Reg cleaner with no help.
I have used the Win 7 startup utility (cant remember what it's called)with no help.
Im thinking of using a chainsaw next unless someone can help with
another idea.
Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Now it hangs on the First Gateway logo for 5 full minutes sh
May 26, 2010 2:06AM PDT

"Now it hangs on the First Gateway logo for 5 full minutes showing on that screen "Del:Enter Setup and F12:Boot menu""

Since the OS has yet to run I'd look at unplugging all USB things as a test. What is good for repair counters all over is this is something many users won't do because "it worked before." Let's see what you do next.
Bob

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Wow!
May 26, 2010 2:54AM PDT

That got it back to 90 seconds for the total startup time-
I have wasted 6 hours on other stuff but your 30 second fix did the trick.
Thanks so much for the tip.
John

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Somewhere a support counter person goes hungry.
May 26, 2010 3:04AM PDT

Be sure to contribute to a food bank if you feel the need to pay for this tip.

-> This one stung me personally last year with some scanner that did that. I'm not sure why it worked before but I know to take my own advice and (again) that was it.

Glad you sorted it out with a little help and if you would be so kind, report what device is was so others may chime in.
Bob

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In addition
May 29, 2010 3:40AM PDT

If you use Ready Boost then don't not leave it's USB plugged in all the time. That one got me while I was using Vista, needless to say, I don't use Ready Boost because of it now. Simply having to remember to plug it in all the time is more hassle then Ready Boost is worth.

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He's good isn't he?
May 28, 2010 8:07PM PDT

Bob doesn't know it but he's been my PC mentor/wizard for a long time now.

Thank you, Mr Wizard, from all of us.

Can you imagine how many people this guy has helped?!

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Aww shucks.
May 28, 2010 11:03PM PDT

.

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The drive that did it
May 29, 2010 4:05AM PDT

My problem was caused by an old Superdisk drive. I was amazed
when a few months back I connected it and had it recognized and work perfectly until this incident. Now the computer sees it but wont access it when I plug it in after the bootup is finished.
Thanks again for the Tip- and yes- I am a long standing contributor to
the CT food bank and will continue to do so.

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Here's some more information .......
May 29, 2010 4:35AM PDT