15 second boot pause

RandomQ

I have two old Dell Laptops that I am updating to SSD

They are almost identical, one of them sits there for 15 sec when booting with just a thin cursor flashing, it does this even if Hard Disk is first partition or if other devices disabled. There is no PXE.

I thought it was something on the hard disk but when I migrated to SSD it still does this.

I have search BIOS and can't see what it could be doing.

The other one does not do it, the only difference is one machine has 8gb and the other 3gb of Ram, I have is set to fast boot so do not think it is the Ram.

Has anyone got any idea what this might be?

forgotmyname

With Fast Boot it still checks the RAM. But just a quick check not the check 3 times that it used to.

Easy test swap the RAM.

were

Just sitting there? Boot order... looking for the floppy or CD?

8gig = 2x4?? take out half the memory and time it?

Bios version differences?

System

Hi

POST Power on Self Test is taking longer because there is potentially a problem.

GunJack

1. boot order

2. BIOS setting - set 5/10/15 sec pause in boot to allow for manual F-key entry...this is often quite hidden so may take a bit of time to find it in the BIOS (can't remember which bit it comes under, but it's common on HP and Dell)

RandomQ

Hi Guys

Here is update

Sorry, this stupid site will not let me quote you or post internal link because I am new

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forgotmyname - With Fast Boot it still checks the RAM. But just a quick check not the check 3 times that it used to.Easy test swap the RAM.

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Yep got that, if I fail to enter my password in time it does the full check which takes 3 minutes!

Laptop A (delay) - 8gb 2 x 4gb
Laptop B (No delay) 3gb 1 x 2gb + 1 x 1gb

I took out a module in Laptop A, no difference
I took out all modules in Laptop A install 1gb module from Laptop B, no difference

Conclusion - Not Ram

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were - Just sitting there? Boot order... looking for the floppy or CD?

8gig = 2x4?? take out half the memory and time it?

Bios version differences?

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Sitting there black screen, just a thin cursor flashing for 15 secs

Boot order, tried removing devices, tried changing order, tried boot just to SSD, Just to CD, Just to USB - problem remains Conclusion not device

BIOS differences

Laptop A has CPU virtualisation - tried disabling - problem remains

Made sure all options identical - problem remains

Laptop A - Firmware V15
Laptop B - Firmware V14

I am very reluctant to change firmware until I have established it is factor

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johndough Hi

POST Power on Self Test is taking longer because there is potentially a problem.

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I am thinking you might be right BUT WHAT? No errors displayed.

I booted old HD of Laptop A on Laptop B, no delay so is not to do with files on HD/SSD

Here is the really interesting thing; even if I press F2 to go to BIOS there is always this 15 second delay.

My feeling is that there is something that POST is checking, perhaps SATA controller that is an issue.

I have a seperate issue with mouse buttons, doubt related but worth mentioning

(thread 5667813)

Also I see weird behaviour affecting trackpad when I put in cheap chinese USB cable to access 3.5 or 2.5 sata, was not sure if was cable or number of partitions (loads) or interrupt issue. Only seen it on this cable so figured cable was cause of that.

Seemed weird that USB should affect Mouse but I guess internally Dell use USB to connect.

Laptop B (that boots fast) has USB port problem, so my plan is to replace USB PCB on left and USB cable on right, then move CPU, RAM and SSD from to Laptop A to Laptop B.

If anyone else has any ideas of how to resolve issue I would be grateful to hear them.

GunJack

have you checked for the delay in BIOS yet?? Do that before large-scale component swapping, far easier

RandomQ

Gunjack

Sorry missed your earlier post.

I have explained what I have done above, I have no idea what you are talking about

Dell Bios is Bespoke (not AMI or AWARD)

I went through every option side by side when comparing, did not see any delay option

almillar

Not updating the BIOS unless there's a problem is good general advice for most users - it can go wrong with catastrophic consequences. Well, that's the way it used to be. Lots of motherboards have backup BIOSs, can be updated in Windows, and have UEFI which can be easier. Or harder...
Anyway, you seem like a highly competent user with all the testing above, I'd have updated the BIOS before doing all that tinkering, especially since you've got another machine happily running it!

RandomQ

Thanks

I agree about BIOS, nothing in my experience requires the old adage of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" than firmware. These are old machines and have been very reliable, it just gets me to pay decent money for SSD performance only to have this 15s delay every time I start up, I had previously put it down to when I was returning from sleep mode, I thought it was reading the files, but then realised it was nothing to do with windows, it happens way before, even if you press F2 for Bios.

I have done the USB port swapout, you practically have to completely dismantly laptop to get daughterboard off. Still not as bad as some laptops I have tackled and not as bad as the dreaded iPhones!

Going to test the machine again before I swap components today, then swap them one at a time with testing in between. In theory, if the problem moves with one of the components it is that component that is causing the problem (or it's interaction with host laptop).

I bought that laptop as a spares or repair and got it working, if problem remains I will pick another one up on eBay, they are only about £40, probably less if just need basic components.

were

While other here are reluctant to update the bios, at worst I have never found it detrimental, at best found extra features and things work better.

The bios has a direct influence on usb.