Slow boot up

Den · May 25, 2009, 09:28:39

As I keep saying "I like Vista" But, I have noticed that the initial start up time is taking longer and sometimes the monitor does not kick in (DVI) so I have to restart the computer. This does not happen very often but enough to annoy me.
The hard drive will still be running and all other things (scanner, key board etc`) start up but just a blank screen and the led on the monitor goes back to amber not the green that it should be. When I first turn the computer on the monitor does come on just does not run when Vista kicks in so I can not log on.

Some times when I reboot it decides to check the hard drive but not every time (in fact only twice has this happened)

Any thoughts. By the way I run Registry Mechanic on a daily basis.

Rik · May 25, 2009, 09:31:25

I had a similar problem with this machine, Den. I'd see the post screen and the initial Windows progress bar, then the monitor would switch off when that disappeared. Hard drive activity would continue, but no graphics output. The cure was to swap the graphics card in my case.

Simon · May 25, 2009, 09:35:21

I don't like these registry tools, and I wonder if it's removing things Vista isthen having to rebuild on startup, Den? I would suggest disabling itfor a while, and see if things improve.

Niall · May 25, 2009, 15:53:25

That's what happened with all my ATi cards, so I switched back to Nvidia.

Rik · May 25, 2009, 15:55:47

Interesting, Niall, as this was indeed an ATi card.

Niall · May 25, 2009, 16:02:29

They are well known for doing it, and even do it when the cards are functioning correctly. Sometimes the signal gets (or got as I haven't used one in 2 years) interrupted so the screen blacks out, so they added software to force the card to effectively reboot the signal and restore it. With a lot of people, even that didn't work with various drivers.

This along with the fact that their newer drivers, in every single case were causing the cards to increase in temperature by 20 degrees is why I stopped using them! I had two fail because of that alone, but it's not their fault they claim. Strange how it happened every time, with hundreds of people reporting the same issue. No refunds there, so back to Nvidia I went, even though the image quality is lower.

Rik · May 25, 2009, 16:05:40

I've been generally lucky with ATi, Niall. After the card was swapped, it's not done it since, but I'll bear that in mind.

Sebby · May 25, 2009, 16:19:40

The first thing I'd suggest doing is disabling the restore point that gets created on startup, as this is one of the biggest Vista slow downs. Go into Accessories and Scheduled tasks, find System Restore, right-click on the scheduled task, and disable the restore point on startup. That may fix your issue with the display as well.

Den · May 25, 2009, 16:37:20

Ineresting point Niall as mine is a ADI Radeon HD2400 which I was thinking of upgrading any way. Any suggestions for a good but not to expensive update taking into account I don't play games.

Den · May 26, 2009, 21:08:32

Where have all the computer experts gone when I need them? I just want a reliable graphics card

Niall · May 26, 2009, 21:28:30

If you look at the cards on www.scan.co.uk in the £150 range, you can't go wrong. That's what I'm planning on. Although if I can sell my guitar, when I get my bonus next month I might buy a Telecaster type guitar instead

Sebby · May 26, 2009, 21:44:22

It would be an overkill to spent £150 if you don't play games. I'd have a look here and go for something at around the £50 mark.

D-Dan · May 26, 2009, 22:04:33

Aria are doing a good deal on the HD 4670 ATM (I paid nearly £100 for mine not long ago) - not they can be had for around £30 - £40.

And I admit, ATI drivers have some problems (Stay away from the 9.x drivers and stick with 8.12 for the moment tends to be the best advice), but then I've read as many problems with NVidia drivers. A bit like politicians, really. All as bad as each other.

Steve

Simon · May 26, 2009, 22:15:51

I've always stuck with nVidia cards and drivers, and never had any problems. The one time I did install an ATI on a machine, all the text was 'ghosted'.

Sebby · May 26, 2009, 22:17:10

I've always had nVidia cards. I don't know a lot about graphics cards, but I think ATI are considered to be better at the moment.

kinmel · May 26, 2009, 22:18:08

I have always preferred ATI cards and usually run with Omega Drivers

The updates are a little slow just now, but the drivers are always robust

vitriol · May 26, 2009, 22:51:31

I've had three ATi cards over the years (8500, 9600pro, 9800pro and X800XL) and every one of them was great, no driver issues either. I've got an Nvidia 8800GTX now which is still pretty sweet for gaming purposes.

It baffles me why ATi have the rep they do, I never had any problems with my cards.