15 minutes to boot Windows Vista

[eugenegg]

Please suggest what I can do to figure out why a Sony VAIO VGN-SR41M aka VGN-NW11Z laptop hangs for 14.5 minutes at every boot.

Initially I noticed SMART issues on the HDD so I replaced that. I installed Vista from DVD but noticed that even when booting off the DVD the PC hung. When hanging the green snake is showing on the display but the HDD activity LED is dark. Having activated Windows and updated to SP2 the PC still takes over 16 minutes to start.

In safe mode the same problem is apparent.
I have booted off a Linux live CD and the problem is not apparent.
I have run VAIO update so all drivers should be at latest versions.
VAIO update flashed the BIOS from R0170Y4 to R0180Y4
http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computing/vaio/downloads/updates/index.aspx?m=VGN-SR41M_P&l=en_GB

lists the latest BIOS as R3220Y1 but executing the installation for it causes error: "This BIOS update is not supported on this computer"
If I look in Device Manager I see that 'Base System Device' has no drivers installed (code 28); and 'RICOH OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller' cannot start (code 10).

[rich912]

Hi eugenegg,

Your Vaio is either VGN-SR41M OR VGN-NW11Z – it can’t be both. I suspect that it is the VGN-NW11Z if Vaio update provided R0180Y4 BIOS update as this is the latest for that model. R3220Y1 is for the VGN-SR41M.

To sort out the devices with problems in Device Manager install the Ricoh memory card reader drivers from here:

http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computing/vaio/downloads/preinstalled/index.aspx?l=en_GB&m=VGN-NW11Z_S

If you then still have a prolonged boot time try running the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

Rich