Slow starting PC

[mickyd]

I dont know if this is the best place to put this but here goes
Last few days the PC starts slowly it seems to hang for ages at the BIOS screen, then a black screen with that little white cursor, today it seemed like it took about 4 mins to get through just that
What could be causing this issue and is it an easy and cheap fix
Thanks
Mick

 

[mickyd]

Does any one ever answer computer related issues on here anymore ??

 

[Slavic]

Please understand that it's not easy to give you any reasonable advice because you mentioned too few symptoms of malfunction. And they apparently don't have any relation to installed OS and are a result of some hardware problems.

From my practice in PC hardware, slowing of warm-up may occur due to HDD problems like mechanical issues, unreadable PnP data or damaged MBR when BIOS makes a number of attempts to initialise the disk and read these data. The same may occur with any peripheral device connected to motherboard. Because of this, the first common approach is to disconnect all devices like disk drives, remove additional boards and check the PC with minimal hardware like motherboard, keyboard and video. I also suggest to set all HDDs to none in BIOS setup, switch off any ports. Then, if the problem disappears, begin to connect the devices back one-by-one and see the difference. Otherwise something has happened with the motherboard itself.

 

[mickyd]

THankkyou for your reply, it wasent easy to describe as you say its just a thing that happens, i have tried by disconecting the C drive, it started up fast, but then when C was back, it started up fast again - one thing i have noticed lately is there`s a lot of freezing on games mainly the 2 i play all the time Farm Together and Dirt Rally they bolth played really well untill a few weeks ago and started suffereing freezing for a few seconds before jumping out of it, in dirt rally this caused a few crashed of the car could the two be rerlated ?

 

[Slavic]

If the hardware-related problems (apparently) disappeared, then yes, the rest may be a result of some OS problems. The most common approach in such case is to use the System Restore, because something may happened after the last OS update or simply after a poorly issued update of anti-malware tool you use, like a Windows Defender. Try to restore the OS to a checkpoint before the date when you noticed these problems, like 2 or more weeks ago as you said. Temporarily disable Windows Update before performing restore, otherwise OS and Windows defender will be quickly updated back to their current states, then check the difference in your preferred games

Another very helpful operation is the full check of HDD(s) or SSD in your PC. It may take some time like a half of hour or more, but you will see current condition of storage. If the number of hardware errors will be more than 1-2, consider to replace this drive in the near future.

 

[mickyd]

I have checked the HDDs and it came back as no errors - as for the jumping in game play it i am not how to fix, i have looked and i dont have any system restore points, The only major change the PC has had in the last year was transplanting into a new case (the other one had a massive dent in it and side door didnt fit) the case is bigger than the last one and also a new motherboard you have to bare with me i am not best at explaining thinbgs they sound ok in my head lol

 

[Slavic]

First of all, even it's not directly linked to your problem, lack of restore points isn't a good thing. Normally a system should have 1-2 of them at least, because System Restore is very important function which allows to restore OS damaged by unexpected failures, badly issued updates, malfunctioned drivers or programs etc. Check whether restore function is not disabled and assign about 2-3 Gb for it (Control Panel > System > System protection > Configure...). Then, if you never had restore points before, create one point; more will be created automatically on internal schedule and before important updates.

Now about new motherboad (not a new PC case, it doesn't affect OS function). Maybe this is a root of problem. Windows 8 is much more adaptive to hardware configuration changes, unlike 7, where replacing the motherboard usually results in a blue screen. But anyway your OS remembers all previous devices and has their drivers which have no use now. You should delete old drivers (or, much better, reinstall OS with keeping user files and programs, it's a common practice after motherboard replacement). At least remove the system device drivers, this may really accelerate the startup sequence.

Create a file in Notepad and name it, for example, hidden_dev.cmd

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
devmgmt.msc

Run this cmd file, it will open command prompt and load the Device Manager, select there View > Show hidden devices. Then open the branches one-by-one, notice any "dimmed" device icons and uninstall them by right-click. Most of "dimmed" devices are the remains of previous hardware configuration. Uninstall all unused "System devices". You may keep some unused devices like network adapters, portable devices and storage controllers, which become active when you use VPN connection or connect an external device like flash drive or USB HDD. Don't remove any "bright" device! And before doing this, create a restore point (see above).

 

[mickyd]

I have had a quick look and found, this (see image) the 6 core blanked out ones refer to the old motherboard, i assume these are the ones to remove ? I have also created a restore point, but will back up the system in the morning -

 

[Slavic]

All right, you understood what is an "old heritage" of previous motherboard which should be uninstalled. And not only CPU-related drivers, other old devices as well.

I notice that you have the "Other devices" branch, maybe there are unrecognised devices? Usually they are marked with yellow triangle, and when you uninstall or attempt to reinstall them, OS tells that cannot find the drivers; this usually means that need to install the specific drivers from manufacturer. If so, look at the appropriated support page. Then OS will skip such attempts at startup, improving load time.

 

[mickyd]

Hi,
Sorry its taken so long tgo reply - i went to do this had all ready but it seems something did it all for me - the computer starts up faster now - so thanks for your help its appreciated - now to sort the other issue of juddery game play