I have a computer that takes around ten minutes after switching
the power on for it to start. It had happened like this sometimes back but when I ran adware and removed some spyware and was ok but now I have run adware and removed some spywares ,run updated norton but the problem doesnt look like going away although the time it takes has reduced by around half.What could be wrong?

Dear Josh,

Could be a bunch of things. When is he last time you did a hard drive defrag? Also, check your start up folder and delete anything you don't want to start up. Do you have a lot of desktop icons?

Remember Windows has to check every program, short cut, folder, disc's and etc. before it starts up. If you have a lot of information on your hard drive the longer it takes. Short cuts make it worse. Did you adjust or delete any registry files?

Still there are a lot of other potential problems.

Let us know,

Junkdk

the thing is when I switch the power button on,the power led light blinks once but the computer dont start, if try to switch it again nothing happens untill after seven or so minutes when it powers up.

Have you ever defraged? If not I'd try that, along with running scan disk and cleaning out your cache. If you have never done so. It sure can't hurt. It and scan disk is something that should be done regularly anyways. I try to run both around once a week.

The Importance of Disk Defragmention

Defrag >
Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter

Scan Disk >

Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scan Disk


Cleaning out your Cache >

Internet Explorer Toolbar > Tools > Internet Options > Delete Files > Delete History > Delete Cookies

These are quick and easy fixes. Try them first. If you have never done any of them, it should help some.

A Defrag done for the first time could take long while. Be prepared.

Defrag and Scan Disk are best done in Safe Mode.

How to Start Windows in Safe Mode




Be careful doing so! There are entries in there that should be left in place. The best way to check on what you have in your Startup is by going through your list and checking for references in---> Bleeping Computer's Startup Database

Outstanding, Scarlett! Very clear instructions as well as very easy.
I sure hope Josh follows your directions carefully. Great advice!

Can you give us whatever information you have about your system including its age? From your description of the problem it sounds to me like its taking some minutes before it even begins to load windows. Is that correct?
What is the first thing you see on your screen and how long after switching on does this appear?

Dear Josh,

With the new information you gave you seem to have a hardware problem. What does the screen say once you start the computer?

Did you build the computer? If so, this could be a connection problem with the hard drive. Or your power supply is dying.

Do you smoke around the computer? The reason I ask is that your connections could be dirty.

How old is the computer?

On a side note, my dry cleaner's computer went down. Knowing that I worked avionics, he asked me what could be the problem? He thought it was the power supply going out and I agreed.

But I asked him when was the last time he cleaned his computer? He never has in the 5 years he owned it. I said before buying a new power supply, clean the computer using Isopropanol alcohol and compressed air. Re-seat all the components and see.

The next time I saw him, I asked what the problem was. He said I was right, it was a cleaning issue. Never got any free dry cleaning out of it though.

It could be that easy.

Let us know,

Junkdk

thanks
I did a system maintenance not a long time ago but for sure Iam going to defrag and scandisk.Its a compaq deskpro 20gb hdd 128 mb ram.
I believe its a hardware problem. When it starts to boot nothing unusual or message is noticed except the normal bios messages and works fine.If you shutdown after it had been working for quite a while and after a short while switch it on again it will start immidietly without any problem otherwise if you took long before switching on it will go through the same problem

Dear Josh,

It sounds like a hard drive problem but may not be mechanical.

How old is the computer or hard drive?

Let us know if anything changes after the defrag or if the scandisk picks up something.

Thanks,

Junkdk

Hi there,
I left it to scandisk and defragment overnight and in the morning I cleaned it by blowing off the dust and made sure all internal cables are firm and it did improve.Iam switching on and it boots immidietly.I will monitor it and if I get anything unusual I will do post it.
Thanks for support