Computer start up times?
 

My laptop is really struggling when I start it up and now takes 3 minutes 20 seconds before I can actually do anything with it after hitting the power button.

Is there any way of making it quicker? It was only about 20 seconds when I first got it.

What causes it to slow down with age?

cheers, Carl

Re: Computer start up times?
 

Have you added an internet security suite perchance? Back your stuff up to an external drive then use the recovery CD to return it to factory supplied state. Should speed it up

Re: Computer start up times?
 

A complete re-install is by far the best, along with more RAM maybe - if your computer is slow generally. A slightly less intrusive, time consuming and temporary fix may be to remove some of your startup programs. These are the things that your computer has to run when its booting. The more things it has to run, the longer it takes.
Start > Run, type "msconfig", press enter. Under the startup tab you will see the list of items that will be run at startup. Remove any that you dont need/want. Reboot. Jobs a goodun!
Must stress that although this is relatively straightforward, I would reccomend doing this with someone who knows what theyre doing, so as not to remove anything that may affect your computer.

Re: Computer start up times?
 

3 mins !! your lucky mine now takes almost 5 mins from switching on to being able to do anything

Re: Computer start up times?
 

Try a defrag. It'll tidy up your files on the disk. Could take hours though if you've got lots stored.

Re: Computer start up times?
 

i find CC-Cleaner is a good product to use before a defrag as its quick and deletes a lot of junk that would othersie get in the way during defrag.

But use with caution as it deletes permanently.

Re: Computer start up times?
 

gosh thats a long time. First I do all the usual virus and spythingy stuff, then I do a disc clean up, then a defrag. If that don't work I go through the start up stuff and disable anything that shouldn't need to be used in the start up sequence.

I'm currently (read when I can be arsed) going to back up all my pics and things, then delete the lot, as they can take up a lot of room.

Re: Computer start up times?
 

Type MSconfig in the run command pannel (on right on start menu on XP). Then a window will open, go to startup tab. Un-tick anything you dont think needs starting when you boot up and then click ok. After restart it will ask you to look at it again, cant remember the exact frase but tell it to go away and not to open again on start up.

WARNING!!! Be careful what you get rid of!!!

Re: Computer start up times?
 

I have a Quad Core CPU (Q6600) with 2GB of 800mhz DDR2 Ram. I have very few programs loading up. I regularly clean my PC with CCleaner and have both AVG and Avast. I have no spyware, no adware, and yet my PC takes about 2 and a half minutes from clicking log on (only profile on it, it's my private PC I just keep it secure) to actually being able to do anything.

It's a combination of a 6 year old HD and an equally old Windows install. A reformat and fresh install of Windows would likely solve it. Windows gets slower and slower over time, it's just a downside of the operating system unfortunately.

Re: Computer start up times?
 

not for long m8.. ;)