Can't view boot up in Event Viewer

[Just Rachel]

Hi!

I'm trying to diagnose slow booting on my Vista (Home Basic) laptop.  I've followed instructions for viewing the boot in Event Viewer, but the last log was 12/25/2008.  Which services might I have disabled that caused the blank log? I did go to msconfig and check the Boot Log box under the Boot tab, with no luck.

EDIT: I did find ntbtlog.txt, but that doesn't make much sense to me.

Thanks in advance!
Rachel

[couttsj]

To enable the event logger, there is only one service (Windows Event Log) and no dependencies are listed. It should be set to automatic and always started. The events should record in the Windows System and Application logs. The security log should be checked as well, but unless there is an audit failure, there is usually nothing of any value there.

To speed up the boot process, you should set your machine to go to sleep instead of shutting down. It is basically the same thing, except that the sleep function stores information on all the running applications to disk before it actually shuts down. This shortens the boot process immensely.

To speed it up even further, set the ReadyBoost service to automatic. Even though the description of the service indicates that it may be of little value to you, there is a relatively undocumented service called ReadyBoot that operates off the same ecache. This service preloads boot information to unused memory on bootup, and then releases the memory.

J.A. Coutts

[IH8U]

How much ram do you have?

[Just Rachel]

How much ram do you have?

I have 2 GB of ram.

This machine seems slower since I installed Online Armor.  Just want to see what's happening and what the actual boot time is.  I do have Readyboost set to auto and sleep is not an option for me.

Thanks for the replies.

[Just Rachel]

Any more suggestions? I don't know what else to do. Other logs are up to date, but not the one I want to see which is located here:  http://content.zdnet.com/2346-12354_22-64715-2.html 

[couttsj]

Any more suggestions? I don't know what else to do. Other logs are up to date, but not the one I want to see which is located here:  http://content.zdnet.com/2346-12354_22-64715-2.html

Is it slow up to the point where the desktop appears, or is it slow after that point? The reason I ask is that the boot process essentially ends with the desktop (or in my case the logon screen). After that it is startup software that is consuming your computers resources, and log files won't usually help much with these.

[Just Rachel]

Slow prior to the desktop.  I'll time the different phases of boot up and let you know how long each take.  The machine runs as well as it ever has, just something seems different at boot up now....know what I mean??

[Spawn]

Rachel,

You said it seemed slower after the installation of Online Armor.  Why not eliminate it as a possibility and uninstall it to see if your boot speed is restored?

Spawn

[Just Rachel]

I know that's what I should do Spawn.  I was just hoping to look at that boot log before doing so.  I've got Online Armor trained to my satisfaction now!!

Thanks much for your input.

[Spawn]

Gotcha. 

[IH8U]

Instead of removing Online Armor may I suggest using a tool like Autoruns to disable it from starting up. Under Options check off Hide Microsoft and Windows Entries. Then look for startup instances for Online Armor on the Everything tab and uncheck them. Reboot and see if that helps. While you're at it look through the Winlogon, Logon, and Services tabs for items starting up that may not need to start with the computer. If you're unsure about something Google it or ask us about it. If needed post a screen shot of your startup items.

[couttsj]

Slow prior to the desktop.  I'll time the different phases of boot up and let you know how long each take.  The machine runs as well as it ever has, just something seems different at boot up now....know what I mean??

What is the boot time like in safe mode? Non-essential services are not loaded in safe mode. Is there a service related to Online Armor?

J.A. Coutts

[Just Rachel]

Thanks for all of your thoughts and suggestions in this matter.  I really want to get Event Viewer to log my boot up so I can see exactly whats happening and not speculate.  I've enabled any services that look like they might be necessary.  I'll keep puttering away at this, trying to find what I changed back in December.