Toshiba Laptop Windows Vista very slow boot up

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slowcoach

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#142821 25-Mar-2014 18:20

Hi

I am using a Toshiba Satellite Notebook which we bought about 7 years ago

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core CPU T2370, speed 1.73 GHz
: Installed RAM 3.0 GB

Runs on Windows Vista Home Premium, Service Pack 2

Office 2010

Problem:

VERY SLOW boot up (4-5 minutes with the black screen).

Have tried Anti-Virus (AVG) scans, and Anti Malware (Malwarebytes) scans, found nothing.

Free Registry scan result = 354 errors??? (AVG PC Fix, and RegPro???). Then both said have to pay for some software to fix this!!!

I tried updating the drivers, and other things suggested on the PC articles on the internet, no improvement.

Don't really want to change to new computer as will have to buy new MYOB software ($1k+), and don't like the way Windows 8 works.

Hope someone can help.

Thanks
Slowcoach

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Mad Scientist
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#1012625 25-Mar-2014 18:32

reinstall. too much junk loaded.

nathan

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#1012636 25-Mar-2014 18:47

what changed?

freitasm

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#1012641 25-Mar-2014 18:51

You could always think there's a HDD failure looming. If you reinstall Windows (either from a install DVD or recovery partition) and it keeps like this then I'd say you should check the HDD for errors. Seven years is a good run for a mechanical piece that spins at 5,400 RPM...

johnr

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#1012642 25-Mar-2014 18:51

I would change it to windows7 but you could check msconfig

bener

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#1012658 25-Mar-2014 19:30

First step if you want to avoid reinstall (which is pretty drastic) is to just go through add/remove programs and get rid of everything you don't need. Try adwcleaner too (just google it). You can check msconfig for software that is running at startup, but you are better off to uninstall it properly than to disable it. You can also turn off services (start --> run --> type services.msc --> enter) and disable themes etc. (for example).
Registry cleaners are very dubious, the most I'd say you could try is Ccleaner, run it normally and then if you must, run its registry cleaner.

Then, as mentioned by freitasm, you will probably have to consider the possibility that your hard drive is beginning to fail. Vista was always pretty resource heavy anyway, maybe time to upgrade to a new laptop!

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#1012683 25-Mar-2014 19:50

joker97: reinstall. too much junk loaded.

Agree.
Preferably install Windows 7 - Vista is a dog.

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lxsw20

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#1012687 25-Mar-2014 19:52

Chuck an 120GB or so SSD in it and rebuild. Probably the cheapest way to get some decent performance out of it.

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slowcoach

33 posts

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#1012698 25-Mar-2014 20:16

Thanks for all your comments, guys.

It does sound like what I feared, ie the hard drive is failing :(

Guess 7 years IS a great run for a laptop, but as I said don't like the way Windows 8 works. And to have to transfer all the files....Oh well, c'est la vie.

Time to raise some capital, I guess :)

I know I can always rely on GeekZone Forums to get quick sound advice. Thanks again :)

johnr

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#1012699 25-Mar-2014 20:17

Windows 8?

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#1012703 25-Mar-2014 20:23

slowcoach: ... It does sound like what I feared, ie the hard drive is failing :(

Your hard drive MAY be failing after 7 years.
Try a fresh OS install (preferably with Win 7 - there is no way that an old PC will run Win 8) BEFORE you spend money on it (or throw it away).
If it runs well, you may be good for another year or two.

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bener

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#1012763 25-Mar-2014 21:30

lxsw20 is right, if you are going to reinstall, get an SSD. But if you are going to buy Windows 7 you'll be spending ~$150 and ~$100-150 for a decent SSD, then reinstall and data transfer, so remember to factor in your time. I'd check the support site and see if they've got Win7 drivers available first, if they do your life becomes a lot easier, especially if you haven't done a clean install yourself before.

Stu

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#1012871 26-Mar-2014 08:18

You can spend as much as you like on it, but it's still essentially a 7 year old laptop. You would probably be far better off putting that money into a new laptop. It is possible with some models to downgrade to Windows 7.

bener

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#1012889 26-Mar-2014 08:50

BigHammer: You can spend as much as you like on it, but it's still essentially a 7 year old laptop. You would probably be far better off putting that money into a new laptop. It is possible with some models to downgrade to Windows 7.

Yeah and as biased as people are towards Windows 7, if you install a start menu replacement like Classic Start (by Classic Shell), and disable active corners etc. (features of the same software) then you can replicate the Windows 7 experience almost exactly. Windows 8 is actually an imrovement performance-wise, and the 'metro' features are just an effort to move into the touchscreen world. All the 'old' features are still there - control panel etc.

Stu

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#1012898 26-Mar-2014 09:01

My four year old notebook runs Windows 8.1 pro, as does my ancient HP DC7900 desktop. So far neither are running any start menu replacements or other third party tweaks. Both run better than they did on Windows 7 pro. Some people just don't like change, while others just go with it ;-)

slowcoach

33 posts

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#1013020 26-Mar-2014 11:00

When I said Windows 8 I meant on a NEW laptop, hence the $1k+. Most new computers these days come with Windows 8 installed.

It is quite true I am adverse to change (SLOW, you know). When you get to my age you would appreciate why (Old Dogs, New Tricks!).

Anyhow thanks for all the advice, and alternative ways to make things work better.

All good stuff.

Thanks again.

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