-immediate boot to black screen with NON-blinking (i.e., sold) cursor at the very top left corner -after SEVERAL minutes, Intel Matrix Storage Manager appears (press ctrl - i) to enter configuration utility
-port 2, 500 gb drive
-port 5, 74 gb drive (where Windows is instlled)-both non-raid disks, raid volumes: none defined
then to "serial ATA AHCI BIOS" screen...does some quick scanning...proceeds to BIOS setup screen (Intel motherboard)...then Windows boot normally
-What could causing the long initial boot screen?
sounds like the boot sequence on this machine is f*** up, look for a tutorial that tells you how to set it up for your system.
Unfortunately there are many other possibilities too, RAM or HD about to fail for example. Might be worth booting it using a live Linux CD (such as Puppy Linux 431 which is simple but ideal for this). These only run between RAM and CD so it will give you some idea what is working and what is not.
Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
Disable RAID in the BIOS. And if you're running Win7 with just 512MB RAM, you need to add more - LOTS more! You should have a minimum of 2GB.
Sorry, I need to update my specs. I have a quad core with 2 GB of RAM, 74 GB raptor.
Use Windows 7 Event Viewer to track down issues that cause slower boot times
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/wi...
Slow Windows 7 boot
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/7...
Windows 7 - Advanced Boot Options
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...
How to Open and Use "Troubleshooting" in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...
How to Review Your Windows 7 Reliability and Problems History
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...
What’s Taking So Long? How to Fight Slow Startup Times in Windows 7
http://is.gd/ZXKjM3
http://itexpertvoice.com/home/whatâ...
Optimize Windows 7 for better performance
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/...
I don't think its an issue with the OS. Like I said, it's the very first screen that takes forever to pass (top left cursor that's not blinking), well before Windows starts booting.
Maybe a long shot but if you are happy inside the machine, take out your RAM sticks and clean their edge connectors with a pencil eraser. Then pop them in and out a few times to clean any oxide off the sockets themselves. I have had many problems over the years that have been due to edge connectors. If still the same try one RAM stick at a time in first position (assuming you have more than one stick).
Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
The problem happened to be my USB mouse. It's a Sony mouse with a built-in MemoryPro slot; once I don't have it plugged in, it boots fine. I guess the MemoryPro slot is confusing the system.
Wow, like you I suspected hardware but the mouse was hardly my first thought. Not sure where you go from here with the Sony mouse - anything in mind? This might sound crazy but I've known it work for some obscure hardware situations. Turn off and unplug the mains (you remove battery too if it's a laptop), then hold the power button in for about 20 seconds. It seems the capacitors can hold data in the chips.
Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
Surprising indeed! Computers can definitely be an enigma at times!
Either I'll just buy a new mouse or simply unplug after the boot. There are USB ports at the top front of my tower so it's not so inconvenientl.
At any rate, thanks for helping, everyone!
dave_c
"There are USB ports at the top front of my tower so it's not so inconvenientl."Use a rear usb port ( more power )
Or,
How to Get More Power to Front USB Ports
http://www.ehow.com/how_8549329_pow...
