How to minimize XP32 boot time?

[Machinus]

Aside from speeding up the hardware, what can be done to significantly decrease the time it takes XP to boot? I have no startup programs but there are many services I am probably not using, and I have no idea how much load time they require.

[fallwind]

Start>>Run msconfig. Disable anything in the startup tab that you don't need running.

Start>>Run services.msc

Disable:

Application Layer Gateway Service
Computer Browser
Distributed Link Tracking Client
Error reporting service
Fast user switching
Help and Support
Indexing Service
Net logon
Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
Network Location Awareness
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
Remote Registry
Secondary Logon
Security Centre
Server
SSDP Discovery Service
System Restore Service
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Themes
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
WebClient
Windows Firewall
Wireless Zero Configuration

Of course, use your head when disabling the above. If there's something in there that you use, such as System Restore, then don't disable it.

[MichelinGuy]

I heard you can screw with your boot.ini, never did it though because my boot time doesn't annoy me.

Your boot.ini is something like:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

turn that into:
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

So the only thing you change is the timeout, do not go lower than 3 :shakes:
I don't know why...

I personally don't use this tweak because the timeout is probably for a reason, which I don't know...

Well, good luck. And if your windows is all screwy because of this it's not my fault ok.

[MDK]

Also add /noguiboot in boot.ini. That will effectively reduce your boot time by the time it takes for the screen to fade in (Windows doesn't load anything while its playing the fade in animation)

[MichelinGuy]

Also add /noguiboot in boot.ini. That will effectively reduce your boot time by the time it takes for the screen to fade in (Windows doesn't load anything while its playing the fade in animation)

Hmm that's a new one, can you tell me exactly where? Thanks ;)

[Soulburner]

Best way to decrease boot time?

Use S3 Standby.

[MDK]

Hmm that's a new one, can you tell me exactly where? Thanks ;)

Same place as the other switches in boot.ini: ex:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /noguiboot

see this page for more info on startup switches if you are interested:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/833721

Cheers

[Gig4moller]

The timeout in boot.ini is for when you have multiple OS in there. It's the time until the default OS boots.

[cadaveca]

you can make an image of you OS install, and re-image the drive usually drops about 5-8 seconds off of boot. I like to use Seagate drive utility for this.

Ijust isntall OS on one drive, and then copy the image over to another drive using the seagate tool to make the new drive you boot drive. Winodws loading splash would show for about 20 seconds or so before, after it shows for like 3 seconds. :lol2: