Inexplicable

[Bufty]

For several weeks now my desktop computer has been taking longer and longer to boot up. It was 20 minutes yesterday.

Then wonder of wonders, today it took around two minutes to boot up and when I restarted it out of curiosity fifteen minutes ago -it was up and running in under two minutes!

I am not seeking any help here - I'm simply baffled as to why the sudden improvement in performance.

I wondered if it was something to do with Skype because it was always before the Skype programme was shown on my toolbar as loaded that the delay seemed to occur.

Strange. :Shrug:

[alleycat]

Windows are Mac?

If it happens again, you might see what programs you have running on startup.

And if it does happen, there are things you can do to help, such as using a startup delayer so that all programs aren't trying to start up at once.

And, sometimes, computers are just plain baffling to us mortals. ;-)

[Bufty]

Windows Vista Home Premium. I have a Dell Dimension 9200 bought in March 2007.

Just logged on again, and once more -no problems and under two minutes.

The only thing I changed yesterday after I switched off for the night was to move a telephone, from right next to the PC to a nearby shelf. It had been next to the PC for a month or two if I remember right. Could it be....?

I hesitate to move it back.

[Torgo]

For several weeks now my desktop computer has been taking longer and longer to boot up. It was 20 minutes yesterday.

Then wonder of wonders, today it took around two minutes to boot up and when I restarted it out of curiosity fifteen minutes ago -it was up and running in under two minutes!

I am not seeking any help here - I'm simply baffled as to why the sudden improvement in performance.

I wondered if it was something to do with Skype because it was always before the Skype programme was shown on my toolbar as loaded that the delay seemed to occur.

Strange. :Shrug:

So it was taking a long time from first seeing the desktop to actually being able to do stuff?

[MaryMumsy]

:nothing

All things to do with computers are inexplicable to me.

MM

[areteus]

Usually computers take a long time to boot because they are trying to load a lot of programs that are set as 'start up' programs - things like your antivirus, your printer drivers, various other little things that run in the background all the time and take up resources. Often you don't actually need them running unless you are using them (things like Napster and Dropbox and the various itunes related programs for example - unless you are using them you don't need them running but they all start as you boot). To reduce boot up time you can use a program that lists your start up programs and allows you to delay their start or turn them off. Norton does this (in start up manager) but there is a way to do this in windows itself without using another program (the Norton system basically uses that program and overlays it). I can't remember how to do it, though...

It is possible that SkyPe was running in start up and taking up a lot of resources doing so and now isn't....

[Tirjasdyn]

Or the computer was automatically updating which will slow down the startup and shutdown procedures depending on how many updates and what it is updating. Windows does this by default.

[Bufty]

Torgo, Yes, I could see my desktop but couldn't do anything till the starting programs were loaded and the relative symbols appeared on the right of my taskbar.

It started again this morning with no problem - barely a minute to open the programs this time and I was ready to roll.

Exactly same programs as for the last few months. I use Windows Security package - not Norton or AVG.

Yippee, and thanks to whatever has fixed it.

[alleycat]

Have you looked at the processes in Task Manager when you first start the computer.

Also, are you familiar with using msconfig?

[Matera the Mad]

Drat, too many footprints around the body now. We'll never know whodunnit.

[Bufty]

Nope- total nerd when it comes to the insides of a computer. I look but don't touch.

My motto is - If it ain't broke, don't fiddle with it.

Have you looked at the processes in Task Manager when you first start the computer.

Also, are you familiar with using msconfig?