Windows XP Pro load time...

[hypeMarked]

Hi all,

I noticed that Dell computers (at work) can boot into WinXP A LOT faster than my home computer with winxp. I have to wait for ~15 sec to boot from cold boot, while the Dell computer can boot it up in like 1/2 the time. What's going on? And my computer boot time is from a fresh install (so no software install yet).

 

[Slowlearner]

If you have no software installed, not even AV/firewall/spyware etc, there is no reason for slow startup. Try: Start >Run> msconfig and which programs are loading - you may already have viruses and spyware if you used IE to surf the net. Similarly press Ctl Alt Del to see whcih services are running. A minimal list of needed services is available on the web- use google - turn off unneeded ones. The other reason could be you have slower/ or lower spec hardware, and inefficient bios settings. Normal startup time should be in 1 min 30 secs to 2 min range - time it.

While I prefer Dell PCs in a work environment, I dont see them as being particularly fast at anything just because they are Dell.

 

[npoe1]

I do not know for sure, but Dell's computers take time after you start the session, not before, but i only have used one Dell.

May be is your HD, try to post your specs and the specs of the computers in your work.

 

[Xyclone]

Because Dell is more expensive! Lol, j/k.

 

[MrChad]

EDIT: Just reread your original post and saw that it's a fresh install.

 

[CocoGdog]

800fsb 1000fsb vs 500fsb on some clone/cheap systems. fsb/sata drives/a lot of memory/high price ATI/Nvidia card/dual core processors it all depends - everyday its another thing...

 

[Hacp]

Why? because Dell's motherboards have a function where it skips posts and just goes to boot up Xp.

 

[bob4432]

who cares if it takes your machine 30secs to startup and a dells only 15. if your time is that precious then leave your machine on all the time

 

[wildwolf]

Are you sure the machine at work is coming from cold boot, and not hibernation mode (which, IIRC, requires power button to be hit)?

 

[hypeMarked]

Thanks for the replies. But here are the Dell system and my system:

Dell:

Pentium4 2.8Ghz 800fsb
1gig DDR 3200
120gig hdd
unknown dvd/cd-rw drive
Onboard gfx, sound, etc...

Home:

Pentium4 3.2ghz 800fsb
1gig DDR3200
2x250 WD Hdds in raid1
NEC 3420 DVD burner
X700pro

And yes, the machines are booting from cold boot.

In reply to Hacp, my motherboard has that function too.

In reply to bob4432, it's not that my time is THAT important; it's more like if Dell did something good, why not mimicking it?

 

[scottish144]

What about the mobos?

 

[rbV5]

Perhaps Dell has an optimised boot routine with its pre-installed software while out of the box, XP does not.

MS used to have their "bootvis" utility available for download which would optimise your bootup based on your PC...maybe look at something like that?

 

[hypeMarked]

Originally posted by: scottish144
What about the mobos?

Copied and paste from newegg:

* Intel BOXD915PGNL Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 915P ATX Intel

 

[TGHI]

My guess that the reason that is slow is because (I assume) that your operating system is on the RAID...when your system completes POST, it has to the initiate the RAID BIOS, where the hard drives in the array are detected...this could be adding the seconds that you are missing out on.