How fast does your computer boot?

**gardocki** · 03-06-2005, 10:15 PM

I've been considering putting a computer into my car for some time now, and I just found this site (who knew there were people out there crazy has me? LOL). Anyway, I think I've figured out the logistics of how I'm going to go about doing it (parts, placement, etc...).

The one thing holding me back is this: How do I go about getting the thing to boot fast enough to be useful? Car stereos are instant-on devices. Computers (of the non-PDA variety) are not. The fastest I've ever been able to get a windows-based machine to boot is around 25 seconds, and that was after stripping it down quite a bit. This would be ok for a long trip, but for a quick jog to the store it would be annoying. So has anyone figured out a faster way to do it? Do you just leave your systems in standby? Would this drain the battery?

I have considered a number of solutions, one involving Flash Disks, which from what I understand have faster seek/access times than standard hard drives. Unfortunately these are expensive and I don't want to try to use one without knowing it will work. My other idea was to use Windows XP Embedded, which is a version of Windows XP (obviously) that can be compiled with fewer options, thus decreasing file size and loading time. Unfortunately my programming expertise is a little lacking in that area so I am reluctant to try that either.

I guess I'm just looking for any feedback on creative solutions others have found to make a car'puter start a little faster.

**Osiris** · 03-06-2005, 10:22 PM

I'll warn you now. Youre going to be told to search or you will be flamed. Anyhow. 25 seconds to boot!? Wow. What are you running? My fairly mid-grade computer with XP takes about 14 seconds at most from a cold boot. About half of that coming out of hibernation. Dont use standby, that isnt a efficient solution because the computer would be semi-on so that it can power the memory. Hibernation is the best alternative to a pure shutdown. Strip Windows of all software, add-ons, and services that are not needed. And of course use

and

.

**xdjxklusivex** · 03-06-2005, 10:22 PM

i hibernate mine 10 secconds to shut down and 20 to 30 to turn up i realy dont mind it its pritty much by the time i get on the road its up and running :-D

**Bugbyte** · 03-06-2005, 10:32 PM

Search on terms "fast boot". You'll find threads that discuss everything from typical boot times to how to set up XPe to boot from CF disk and why it isn't much faster. Search also on terms like: "nLite" for info on how to strip down Windows to boot faster.

**TimmyM** · 03-06-2005, 10:34 PM

You could be flamed like crazy, BUT you did ask your question in the "Newbie" area so I guess we'd have to let it go. I have a Celeron 1.1ghz with WinXP Tablet edition, and it is on par with Xdjklusivex. Actually 36 seconds from hibernation until music. Think I could look into why it takes so long but the 36 seconds doesn't seem to bother me enough to do so. It was twice that when I tried using a TV board, i never got any reception so I removed it and now it's back to 36 seconds.

**Osiris** · 03-06-2005, 10:40 PM

36 seconds, hmmm. I dont see why your guys computer is taking longer than mine (not that im complaing

) But from cold boot to loading a frontend is about 20 seconds on my pc.

**gardocki** · 03-06-2005, 11:06 PM

Sorry...I didn't even see the search function!!

Anyway, I've been pouring over the posts regarding fast boots and flash disks. I'm really surprised that flash doesn't give better performace. I'm going to have to look into nLite / XPLite as it looks like that would let me strip windows down even more than I've been able to already.

Originally Posted by osiris

My fairly mid-grade computer with XP takes about 14 seconds at most from a cold boot.

That's impressive! Something like that would be up and running before you pulled out of a parking space. I think I could live with that!

**xBrady** · 03-06-2005, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by Osiris

Dont use standby, that isnt a efficient solution because the computer would be semi-on so that it can power the memory.

Nothing wrong with using standby. Been using standby for 8 months now without ever having a single problem. It is much faster than hibernation.

**TimmyM** · 03-06-2005, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by Osiris

36 seconds, hmmm. I dont see why your guys computer is taking longer than mine (not that im complaing

) But from cold boot to loading a frontend is about 20 seconds on my pc.

Your faster CPU might have something to do with it.

**Osiris** · 03-06-2005, 11:45 PM

What are you running TimmyM and brady?

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