Boot taking 6X longer

[TODDTH]

My computer used to boot to the login screen in about 30-40 seconds. About a week or so ago, It started hanging at the motherboard splash screen for 20-25 seconds and then taking another 3 minutes and 20 seconds after that to get to the logn screen after that. (timed)
This change happened overnight. I think the first time it booted there was an error, I don't recall what now and just rebooted. It all comes up fine every time but takes this extended period of time.
I was considering doing a win7 repair today or even reinstalling to try and resolve, but thinking about the extended time on the splash screen maybe that's not going to help and thought i would post for ideas here first.
I did run a memtest last night with zero errors.

I have:
ASRock Z77 Extreme4
i7 =3770 CPU
16 GB RAM - 4 chips
OCZ Agility 3 SSD
There are other data drives, but not sure i need to list them all.

Any thoughts or assistance on how to troubleshoot would be appreciated. Nothing is saved under this OS, it would be easy to just reinstall, but I dont want to go that way for nothing. As you know its a half day rebuild, update and reinstall everything.

Thanks All

 

[Guest]

I've a similar mobo to you and have periodically encountered the same delay. Fortunately the side of my case is clear and I can now recognize certain codes on the mobo when this happens- I don't recall the exact meaning but I've found that (for me) the issue relates to connected peripherals. I moved my keyboard/mouse to USB 3 connectors and this reduced the number of such events.

Obviously, flashing the BIOS wouldn't hurt.

Hope this helps.

 

[InvalidError]

Download your HDD manufacturer's diagnostic tools to see if your slow-down issues might be caused by a failing HDD. You might want to backup your most important data first, just in case your HDD is indeed failing since it might not survive testing - I have had HDDs fail on me twice while backing up data after determining that they were defective and a few more times while full-formatting them before sending them for RMA so if your HDD is failing, you may have very little time left to complete backups of any valuable data.

 

[TODDTH]

Download your HDD manufacturer's diagnostic tools to see if your slow-down issues might be caused by a failing HDD. You might want to backup your most important data first, just in case your HDD is indeed failing since it might not survive testing - I have had HDDs fail on me twice while backing up data after determining that they were defective and a few more times while full-formatting them before sending them for RMA so if your HDD is failing, you may have very little time left to complete backups of any valuable data.

My SSD is an OCZ Agility 3. I went to their website but didnt find any diagnostics. I did find a utility that could update the firmware (wiping out the drive) and had the ability to send the Trim command. Not to familiar with Trim but did a little reading and tried that with no luck.

Any suggestions on a utility to check out the drive?

 

[TODDTH]

I've a similar mobo to you and have periodically encountered the same delay. Fortunately the side of my case is clear and I can now recognize certain codes on the mobo when this happens- I don't recall the exact meaning but I've found that (for me) the issue relates to connected peripherals. I moved my keyboard/mouse to USB 3 connectors and this reduced the number of such events.

Obviously, flashing the BIOS wouldn't hurt.

Hope this helps.

any idea how to trouble shoot this. I did a BIOS update today, restored default settings, and no luck. The only device that has been recently added was an internal USB2/3 flash card reader. It's been installed longer than this problem existed, but to remove it as a possibility, I unplugged both USB 2 and 3 headers. Still the same extended boot times. The only other items plugged in our the keyboard/mouse combo, dual monitors, an eSATA drive.

 

[InvalidError]

My SSD is an OCZ Agility 3. I went to their website but didnt find any diagnostics.

It is part of the OCZ Toolbox.

 

[TODDTH]

problem solved. i unplugged the other 3 conventional HD's and everything booted fine.. elimination process found the bad drive.

jostling drives around tonight because the failed drive was a backup drive (1 of 3)... data is safe but quickly replacing the failed unit.

Thanks to all for your help.