Windows 7 64 bit Unsolvable Problem; Extremely Slow Boot

SainT-314

Honorable
Jun 3, 2013
11
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10,510
Alright, I have found a problem I cant solve. I have been struggling with ungodly load times from windows 7 for the past month. I will post a video showing the choppy logo animation, which then sits at the starting windows screen for 45 minutes until it finally loads into windows. Once I am actually in windows, everything works absolutely fine.

System Specs:
AsRock Extreme Gen4 Z77 Mobo, Intel Core i5, 16Gb Corsair Vengeance DDR3, EVGA GTX 580, Bigfoot Killer 2100 Network Card, Seagate Barracuda 500GB HHD, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB SSD, Rosewill Thor V2 Case

I have tried every solution I can think of;
CHKDSK
Tried Removing all hardware except barebones
Formatted Hard Drive
Bought New SSD

Nothing fixes it. I just ant understand what could be causing the problem after I formatted the drive, and then still cause an issue with a brand new SSD!

In fact, if someone can help me solve this I will PayPal 50$

Please fellow enthusiasts, help me out.

 
Solution
Have you looked at your BIOS boot sequence? How many drives do you have?
I suggest you look at the list and pare down to just the boot drive and CD/DVD. Disconnect any external USB drives you have too.
I think Windows does a check of all the disks and looks for bootable drives, and the more drives the longer it takes.
I had a similar problem to SainT-314 where it took ages to boot and this resolved it.

MC_K7

Distinguished
*** Edit: Sry didn't see you already tried to reformat.

Have you tried to reset BIOS to default? What mode is your disk controller set in the BIOS? It should be AHCI since you have an SSD.

Did you try to press F8 before the Windows logo and boot into safe mode? Does it boot faster in safe mode? Could be a driver then, make sure all drivers are up-to-date. Check for BIOS flash and firmware updates for all your components too.
 

SainT-314

Honorable
Jun 3, 2013
11
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10,510
I have reformatted and done a clean windows install several times to no avail. I will look into BIOS update but I flashed the new update not too long ago.
 

MC_K7

Distinguished


Not only the BIOS you can flash. Did you check for latest firmware updates for the following components:

- Samsung 840 Pro SSD
- Seagate 500 GB HDD
- EVGA GTX-580
- Bigfoot Killer network card
- Any optical drive
- Etc...

Also make sure the disk controller is set to AHCI. But even if set to something different, it shouldn't cause such a long boot time. This is why I suggested to reset BIOS settings to default and see if things are better after?

 

SainT-314

Honorable
Jun 3, 2013
11
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10,510


BIOS is currently at stock settings, that was my first thought as well.

I will update all components, but the problem occurred with all my drivers and firmware up to date. This is my gaming pc so everything software related is usually kept pretty up to snuff.

I was aware of Windows struggling with drivers, thats why I pulled everything out but the HD, one stick of RAM, and the CPU, but still suffered from the issue. Thats why I have come to you guys, none of the usual suspects seem to be causing this.

As far as safe mode, safe mode usually hangs on the disk.sys or class.pnp file. Then, after the wait, it boots on in.

Maybe one of these is the culprit...
 

MC_K7

Distinguished


There you go. Could be a disk problem. Most likely your SSD. I assume your OS is install on it?

Remove the SSD and try with only your Seagate HDD (or another HDD if you have a spare one). Temporarily install Windows on it and see if you still have the problem.

After resetting BIOS settings to default, make sure your disk controller is set to AHCI in the BIOS. It will give you better performance in general (both for SSDs and HDDs).
 

SainT-314

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Jun 3, 2013
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I actually purchased the SSD and installed windows on it in an effort to fix the issue, the original problem occured on the HDD, and after failiong numerous times to fix it, I purchased the SSd and did an install of windows, same issue occurs.
 

SainT-314

Honorable
Jun 3, 2013
11
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10,510
UPDATE: This issue still affects me. It must be in the processor, its the only thing I haven't changed. Purchasing a new motherboard didnt help at all, ive re installed windows, Ive not seen anything like this anywhere else.
 

MC_K7

Distinguished


I guess you probablly already tried this, but since you had the problem with the HDD before, did you try to take it out and boot only with the SSD?

And in case the SSD is defective too, you could try with a 3rd HDD if you have one laying around and temporarily install Window on it.

I don't know if you've tried to use different SATA ports? I've seen some mobo with bad SATA ports that degrade over time due to bad transistors, but I think you already replaced the mobo, so I guess we can exclude that.

Honnestly, I don't know what else to suggest if you already tried all that. As you say maybe it's the CPU if it's the only part you haven't replaced yet...

Just for the sake of testing furthermore, I'd be curious to see if the problem would still be there if you installed Windows 8? Just in case this is a weird drivers bug in Windows 7.
 

SainT-314

Honorable
Jun 3, 2013
11
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10,510
Yes, I even installed windows 8. The same issue. The circle of dots would spin very choppily, then after about 45mind everything would be fine.
I have never in all my it work seem anything like this

 

RonH

Honorable
Dec 18, 2013
1
0
10,520
Have you looked at your BIOS boot sequence? How many drives do you have?
I suggest you look at the list and pare down to just the boot drive and CD/DVD. Disconnect any external USB drives you have too.
I think Windows does a check of all the disks and looks for bootable drives, and the more drives the longer it takes.
I had a similar problem to SainT-314 where it took ages to boot and this resolved it.
 
Solution

carf

Reputable
Nov 28, 2014
6
0
4,510
Sometimes that problem is because the correct hard drive is not on #1 boot device on your BIOS
Goto BIOS (F2 or delete)
Look into Bios Priority
If needed go to "Advanced Mode" - "Boot" - "Boot option Priorities"
Check on "Boot Option #1" if the correct hard drive is set
If your HD is not showing in "Boot Option #1" go to "Hard Drive BBS Priorities" and change the order
Save and Enjoy :)