Slow Startup (W98)

[Hally]

I am concerned at how slow this computer boots up, it goes pretty quick until the "Starting Windows" comes up on screen then it slows to a crawl ..... I'm aware of all the stuff programs like to have booting up on your computer so that's not the problem, I trimmed those out!
I've seen Tony ask people to put a copy of the startup list on the forum, so here it is, I hope someone can spot something there thats causing the slow startup

<font color=purple>Pentium II Celeron 333mhtz
160mb Ram
4gb HDD

Win98SE IE6.0-SP-1</font color=purple>

Thanks in Advance /images/forums/icons/wink.gif

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~

<font color=blue>StartupList report, 31/01/03, 12:23:54 PM
StartupList version: 1.35.0
Started from : C:\PROGRAM FILES\STARTUP LIST\STARTUPLIST.EXE
Detected: Windows 98 SE (Win9x 4.10.2222A)
Detected: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)
* Using default options
==================================================

Running processes:

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VETMSG9X.EXE
C:\VET\VETTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\STARTUP LIST\STARTUPLIST.EXE

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

ScanRegistry = C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
LoadPowerProfile = Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
Vet Alert = C:\WINDOWS\System\VetMsg9x.exe
VetTray = C:\VET\VETTRAY.EXE
SystemTray = SysTray.Exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services

LoadPowerProfile = Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Active Setup stub paths:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components
(* = disabled by HKCU twin)

[{89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4383}] *
StubPath = rundll32.exe advpack.dll,UserInstStubWrapper {89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4383}

[&gt;PerUser_MSN_Clean] *
StubPath = C:\WINDOWS\msnmgsr1.exe

[PerUser_LinkBar_URLs] *
StubPath = C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\sulfnbk.exe /L

[{7790769C-0471-11d2-AF11-00C04FA35D02}] *
StubPath = rundll32.exe advpack.dll,UserInstStubWrapper {7790769C-0471-11d2-AF11-00C04FA35D02}

[{44BBA840-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}] *
StubPath = rundll32.exe advpack.dll,UserInstStubWrapper {44BBA840-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}

[{9EF0045A-CDD9-438e-95E6-02B9AFEC8E11}] *
StubPath = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\updcrl.exe -e -u C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\verisignpub1.crl

--------------------------------------------------

Load/Run keys from C:\WINDOWS\WIN.INI:

load=
run=

--------------------------------------------------

Shell & screensaver key from C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.INI:

Shell=Explorer.exe
SCRNSAVE.EXE=
drivers=mmsystem.dll power.drv

--------------------------------------------------

Checking for EXPLORER.EXE instances:

C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.exe: PRESENT!

C:\Explorer.exe: not present
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer\Explorer.exe: not present
C:\WINDOWS\System\Explorer.exe: not present
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Explorer.exe: not present
C:\WINDOWS\Command\Explorer.exe: not present

--------------------------------------------------

C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT listing:

@Echo off
@IF ERRORLEVEL 1 PAUSE
SET TEMP=C:\Windows\Temp
SET TMP=C:\Windows\Temp

--------------------------------------------------

C:\CONFIG.SYS listing:

DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS /TESTMEM:OFF
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE NoEMS frame=none x=c000-c800 I=B000-B7FF
DOS=HIGH,UMB
Lastdrive=E
BUFFERS=13
FILES=40

--------------------------------------------------

Checking for superhidden extensions:

.lnk: HIDDEN! (arrow overlay: NO!)
.pif: HIDDEN! (arrow overlay: NO!)
.exe: not hidden
.com: not hidden
.bat: not hidden
.hta: not hidden
.scr: not hidden
.shs: HIDDEN!
.shb: HIDDEN!
.vbs: not hidden
.vbe: not hidden
.wsh: not hidden
.scf: HIDDEN! (arrow overlay: NO!)
.url: HIDDEN! (arrow overlay: yes)
.js: not hidden
.jse: not hidden

--------------------------------------------------

Verifying REGEDIT.EXE integrity:

- Regedit.exe found in C:\WINDOWS
- .reg open command is NOT normal! (C:\WINDOWS\Regedit.exe %1)
- Company name OK: 'Microsoft Corporation'
- Original filename OK: 'REGEDIT.EXE'
- File description: 'Registry Editor'

Registry check failed!

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Browser Helper Objects:

(no name) - C:\PROGRA~1\ADSHIELD\ADSHIELD\ADSHIELD.DLL - {7559B76E-0222-4d77-9499-CCE9EB4EDC2F}

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Task Scheduler jobs:

Tune-up Application Start.job

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Download Program Files:

[Update Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IUCTL.DLL
CODEBASE = http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/ansi/iuctl.CAB?37638.033125

[OPUCatalog Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\OPUC.DLL
CODEBASE = http://office.microsoft.com/productupdates/content/opuc.cab

[Shockwave Flash Object]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MACROMED\FLASH\FLASH.OCX
CODEBASE = http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab

--------------------------------------------------
End of report, 5,502 bytes
Report generated in 0.802 seconds

Command line options:
/verbose - to add additional info on each section
/complete - to include empty sections and unsuspicious data
/force9x - to include Win9x-only startups even if running on WinNT
/forcent - to include WinNT-only startups even if running on Win9x
/forceall - to include all Win9x and WinNT startups, regardless of platform
/history - to list version history only</font color=blue>




<font color=purple>&gt;&gt;Hally&lt;&lt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;/images/forums/icons/laugh.gif&lt;&lt;&lt;</font color=purple>

[jmatt]

I would be inclined to use these .

You can protect your comp from Spyfiles by using these 3 programs together .

http://beam.to/spybotsd
What does SpyBot-Search & Destroy?

SpyBot-S&D searches your hard drive for so-called spy- or adbots; little modules that are
responsible for the ads many programs display. But many of these modules also transmit
information about your surfing behaviour and more to the net.
If SpyBot-S&D finds such modules, it can remove them - or replace them with empty dummies in
case their host software won't run with its bot removed. In most cases, the host still runs
fine after removing the bot.
For a list of 'supported' bots see the feature lists below. The Spybot-S&D interface is so
easy, that updates just require replacing a file of about 80k in size. Those updates are
distributed by my software mailinglist, over this page and are also available from inside the
programs update section.

Another feature of Spybot S&D is the removal of usage tracks, which makes it more complicated
for unknown spybots to transmit useful data. The list of last visited websites, opened files,
started programs, cookies, all that and more can be cleaned. Supported are the three major
browsers Internet Explorer, Netscape Communicator and Opera.

Last but not least Spybot-S&D contains some routines to find and correct invalid entries into
the registry.

Red entries indicate spyware problems that should be fixed to avoid security and/or privacy
problems. This is the only kind of problem that is preselected to be fixed.

Black entries are system internals. If you do not know what they mean, I would suggest to either
keep your fingers from it or visit the support forum.

Green entries indicate usage tracks. It can do no harm to remove these.

I personally only remove the Red entries .

Make sure you use the SpyBot &gt; Online &gt; Update button regularly .

-----------------------------

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/spywareblaster.html

SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed.

How? By setting a "kill bit" for the CLSIDs of spyware ActiveX controls, it prevents the
installation of any of them from a webpage. You can run Internet Explorer with Active-X enabled,
but you will never even get a "Yes/No" box popped up, asking you to install a spyware Active-X
control (Internet Explorer will never download or run it!). All other Active-X controls or
plug-ins will work fine.

The SpywareBlaster database contains information on these known spyware Active-X controls. Make
sure you run the Check For Updates feature frequently to get the latest database! (And make sure
you check the new items to protect your system against them!)

As a side benefit, setting this "kill bit" will also prevent the spyware Active-X from running,
in many cases, if it is already installed on your system.*

--------------------------------

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/spywareguard.html

SpywareGuard provides a real-time protection solution against spyware that is a great addition
to SpywareBlaster's protection method.

An anti-virus program scans files before you open them and prevents execution if a virus is
detected - SpywareGuard does the same thing, but for spyware! And you can easily have an
anti-virus program running alongside SpywareGuard.


Features Listing: Fast scanning engine
Scans exe and cab files - the two most popular file types for distributing spyware
Signature-based scanning - for known spyware (list)
Heuristic/generic detection capabilities - some spyware programs can be detected even if the
code undergoes significant changes
Small size - with a small size and small definition sizes, download and updates are quick
SG Control Panel - provides easy access to help and integration options
SG LiveUpdate - provides an easy updating solution
Spyware files are blocked before being opened or run - they are not simply shut down after they
are loaded in memory (and after they have performed their tasks)
The full path to the spyware executable is provided on the alert screen
Once a spyware file is detected and blocked from running, the options are provided to either
continue or to delete the spyware file
It's a free download

[Hally]

What a great reply jmatt, I actually use Spybybot, & run it once a week or less its a great program...

Thanks /images/forums/icons/cool.gif


<font color=purple>&gt;&gt;Hally&lt;&lt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;/images/forums/icons/laugh.gif&lt;&lt;&lt;</font color=purple>

[TonyKlein]

Hally,

That's a very trim looking Startuplist log. Obviously you already unchecked everything that wasn't remotely necessary to run, so there's not much to add there.

BTW, slightly off-topic, Startuplist is actually running at v. 1.51.0.2, and I'd recommend you to update, although the number of fixes and added number of startup locations detected mainly concerns Windows XP/NT.

I take it you empty your Windows Temp folder and defrag on a regular basis.

Enabling DMA for your drive(s) also tends to boost performance.

Other things you may or may not have tried already are:

- compacting your registry by running the scanreg /fix and scanreg /opt commands from MS-DOS

- Update BIOS, Device & Chipset Drivers

- Remove possibly redundant Devices

And here are a few MS articles that may be of help:

<a target="_blank" href=http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=188867>Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems (Q188867)</a>

<a target="_blank" href=http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=281965>How to Troubleshoot Using the Msconfig Utility with Windows 98</a>

<a target="_blank" href=http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=192926>How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98</a>



Good luck, Tony

[Hally]

Thanks very much Tony, great to hear from you, I never new they had a newer version so I'm off to get it now, BTW when I tick DMA & re-start it goes back to un-checked.... doh it won't stay checked for some reason...../images/forums/icons/mad.gif

I will go through your suggestions Tony & see if I have drivers unnecessary loaded & do the Registry compact as well.

I know I should update my Bios here is what Belarc Advisor says about my Bios, is that way out of date ? I've heard some horror stories about people flashing (as they say) a new Bios
I'd like to do it but how hard is it for someone to do, I know my way around the computer so to speak ..... Have you got a very good link (And some Advice please) on doing this

<font color=blue>Board: Acer Lab Inc. Aladdin Pro
Bus Clock: 66 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends, Inc. 0627 07/15/95</font color=blue>

Thanks Again Tony /images/forums/icons/wink.gif




<font color=blue>&gt;&gt;Hally&lt;&lt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;/images/forums/icons/laugh.gif&lt;&lt;&lt;</font color=blue>

[TonyKlein]

To tell you the truth, I'm not really "hardware" either, so I think someone else would be better placed to advise you how to flash the BIOS, if it's required at all.

If your motherboard uses the VIA drivers, it would be a good idea to update those.

The easiest and simplest way to determine the manufacturer of chipset you have on your motherboard is to look in your motherboard manual. Almost always this information is listed in the front of the motherboard manual in the specifications section.

You can also go to My Computer in Microsoft Windows, then control Panel, System, Device Management, System Devices. The model name will be listed under System Devices.

If you have them you can download the latest Hyperion 4 in 1 drivers <a target="_blank" href=http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=2>here</a>

If you don't, you obviously you don't need to install them.

[Hally]

You're very helpfull as always Tony & I thank you /images/forums/icons/wink.gif this link will help me out

Catch you Later /images/forums/icons/smile.gif


<font color=blue>&gt;&gt;Hally&lt;&lt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;/images/forums/icons/laugh.gif&lt;&lt;&lt;</font color=blue>

[Hally]

So can anyone advice on the easies way to update my BIOS but first of all I don't know if I even need to update, and I'm totaly out of my league I'm not sure how to tell if I need to update....

Any help appreciated, thanks in advance


<font color=blue>&gt;&gt;Hally&lt;&lt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;/images/forums/icons/laugh.gif&lt;&lt;&lt;</font color=blue>

[Andy-S]

Hally,

Updating the BIOS is no big deal. You copy a binary file and a utility to flash the BIOS to a floppy disk and then boot from the floppy disk and have it run automatically or enter the command at the prompt.

My advice to you would be to leave the BIOS as it is unless you are having problems that the BIOS upgrade will fix.

If you go to your PC or motherboard's manufacturers website (PC first) then you should see the latest version of BIOS and a history of the fixes that have been implemented (most OEM's sprovide this).

Cheers
Andy

[Hally]

Thank you Andy, /images/forums/icons/cool.gif

I think you said it all when you said <blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

My advice to you would be to leave the BIOS as it is unless you are having problems that the BIOS upgrade will fix

<hr></blockquote>

People make flashing your BIOS sound like a bad scary thing to do. As long as you follow a few simple rules it should have no problems at all. one day I will do it


<font color=blue>&gt;&gt;Hally&lt;&lt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;/images/forums/icons/laugh.gif&lt;&lt;&lt;</font color=blue>

[Andy-S]

Hally,

It used to be a big problem before bootblock protection was implemented. If you switched off the PC or there was power lost during the flash then the ROM would be corrupted and the unit would not be able to boot.

To fix it you had to get a new ROM device and either plug it into the socket on the motherboard or unsolder and replace the old one.

Bootblock BIOS recovery was implemented by most OEM's around 1997. It is a portion of the BIOS that is read only and is not overwritten during the standard flash process. The bootblock contains code that allows the unit to boot to a floppy drive and reflash the BIOS if it has been corrupted. This failsafe mechanism has saved many users from disaster.

If you decide to do it in the future just check to see that your system supports the bootblock mechanism.

Cheers
Andy

[Hally]

Thanks for the info, I learned plenty about the BIOS today


<font color=blue>&gt;&gt;Hally&lt;&lt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;/images/forums/icons/laugh.gif&lt;&lt;&lt;</font color=blue>

[Baldrick2]

Just because I'm on a roll today, I'll stick my nose in here too!!!

As previously mentioned, definately a good idea to update the VIA chipset drivers if you haven't already done so. DMA is related to these, but since you actually had the option of checking the DMA box before it could be that the reason it doesn't stay checked is that your drives (CD and HDD) or IDE channels don't support it. The VIA update may 'fix' this-it has for me in the past on my Dad's computer.

btw, BIOS flashing is, in my opinion anyway, a doddle, but I doubt if it would speed start up as most (all??-not sure) of the bios 'stuff' is finished by the time Windows has begun to load....

Hope this was of a little help

Jase

Don't listen to me 'cos I'm stupid!!

[Hally]

Hi Baldrick2 & thanks for your reply, no I haven't done so yet, could you please tell me how to update the VIA chipset drivers if its not difficult to write it down here. You're probably right as to why my DMA won't stay checked..... Thats why I'm trying to learn how to do update

For instance which item in device mangaer am I looking for ?

Thanks Again! /images/forums/icons/cool.gif



<font color=blue>&gt;&gt;Hally&lt;&lt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;/images/forums/icons/laugh.gif&lt;&lt;&lt;</font color=blue>

[Baldrick2]

Hally...you just caught me on my way to bed!!

The link which Tony posted above points to the VIA driver download page. There are installation instructions there....you don't have to point to anything in device manager as this is a self installing, all singing, all dancing driver update...

Read the instructions but basically just download the driver, unzip it and click the .exe file or whatever....I seem to remember that the Miniport driver is the one which affects DMA, but I could be wrong.....but install them all anyway.

Just be sure beforehand that it is a VIA chipset which you have. Also there are two choices on the page, you don't have a KT400 chipset (neither do I but maybe soon....I'm on the now lowly KT333 !!!! always obsolete thats me!!)

Good Luck, hopefully you will now be able to enable DMA which should (might) speed up the windows start-up and your HDD and CD access.

Jase /images/forums/icons/smile.gif

Don't listen to me 'cos I'm stupid!!

PS

Its the drivers under the heading

VIA 4in1 v4.43, released 13 September 2002

I believe you need!<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Baldrick2 on 02/02/03 14:49.</FONT></P>

[Hally]

Thanks so much Jase for doing this before you went to bed.... I'm off to look now

ZZzzZZzzZZ you can do some of these now /images/forums/icons/wink.gif

Thanks Again


<font color=blue>&gt;&gt;Hally&lt;&lt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;/images/forums/icons/laugh.gif&lt;&lt;&lt;</font color=blue>

[mattr8er]

If you have a network card and it isn't hooked up to anything then this is your problem. You need to assign an IP address to the NIC rather than have it assign one automatically. W98 waits forever to get assigned an IP address using DHCP. If you put in a IP address yourself (you can try 192.168.0.1) then it will boot up considerately faster. Try it. If you don't have a Network card then nevermind. BIOS won't make it boot faster and most other things mentioned before won't help.

[Hally]

Hi mattr8er!

Revive an oldie hey lol /images/forums/icons/wink.gif... I havent got a Network card installed .... You know something, while booting up, every now & then just after it says "Starting Windows 98" the computer will hang in that position for ever or until I hit "Restart" <font color=red>gggrrrr</font color=red> /images/forums/icons/crazy.gif it does that about every 10 or 15 startups, there must be something that I can do to stop it....

Thanks Again



<font color=blue>&gt;&gt;Hally&lt;&lt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;/images/forums/icons/laugh.gif&lt;&lt;&lt;</font color=blue>

[stratcat250]

Hi Hally, hows things down under? I was just cruising the forums and read this thread of yours. Haven't you had this problem since you upgraded your PC? It sounds like you might need to be sure you have the right support disk for your motherboard. What type of windows 98 are you using, generic or oem ie. HP, Compaq, Dell etc. What is your PC? Did you put it together? It's very possible you have the wrong support drivers or needs an upgrade. Hope all's well, Bob

[mattr8er]

I thought you were getting further than that. Do you get to the splash screen? or just a black screen with the end of the post and it says starting windows 98.... If that's the case I think something is wrong with the boot sector. If it stops there it isn't even booting up to the OS. For grins and giggles, boot from a floppy, a win98 boot disk for instance with fdisk on it. switch to the c:&gt; prompt, and then type fdisk /mbr. That will clear the boot sector and it will be rebuilt after you restart. Try it. You got nothing to lose.

[Hally]

Thanks Bob for replying.... No all is ok now I spent all day working out this problem & I discovered that after installing a USB - PCI card in my computer for my new digital camera there was a few things I had to change in my bios...... phew I'm happy now, I was just on my way to send this in to forum.... great to hear from you again Bob /images/forums/icons/smile.gif Its going like a scalded **** now hahaha /images/forums/icons/crazy.gif

BTW this is an old post that was revived by someone

Thanks Everyone


<font color=blue>&gt;&gt;Hally&lt;&lt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;/images/forums/icons/laugh.gif&lt;&lt;&lt;</font color=blue>

[dlawe]

I am a new user but if you go to www.ashampoo.com there are variouse programs to use and try to clean up variouse things on your PC i have found that using them has made mine much faster and they are easy to use as well hope this works for you
regards
dlawe

[Hally]

Thank you dlawe I'll go look at your link /images/forums/icons/cool.gif


<font color=blue>&gt;&gt;Hally&lt;&lt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;/images/forums/icons/laugh.gif&lt;&lt;&lt;</font color=blue>

[stratcat250]

Hally, I just saw the date of your original post LOL. I'm glad you got this one fixed ok.

Bob

[Hally]

You're right Bob, we take it for granted that we're reading a current issue don't we /images/forums/icons/crazy.gif
I would've thrown it out the window by now if it wasn't fixed hahaha

Thank you mate! good to hear from you up there in the UK




<font color=blue>&gt;&gt;Hally&lt;&lt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;/images/forums/icons/laugh.gif&lt;&lt;&lt;</font color=blue>