I have used Vista ultimate and ultimate sp1.
Sp1 seems to slows down the boot time

Its true install vista sp1 will boost up your startup

My story - I had my Dell laptop with Vista on it and a year after using it, I had not formatted even once. Then came the faithful day when I used Partition Magic (which isn't Vista compatible). I could not boot into Windows at all. Long story short, I had to reformat.

Boy oh boy. I could not believe it. Vista's startup time is like 32 seconds for me after a fresh Vista + Vista SP1 installation. After installing my apps again, its still around that time. I had not changed a single Vista setting and at this moment, I am so amazed at the overall performance of Windows Vista.

So you might say overtime, the speed will decrease. I thought that too. But its been weeks and until today, its awesome! Here is what I make sure: I make sure the apps that start and run in the background (my apps) are really necessary. Like Free Download Manager, Quicktime, etc. You can just disable it from starting up with Windows.

So, a compatibility issue lead to a much better computing experience.

In short - - disable startup apps (third party) that is not necessary. I hadn't touched Vista's settings one bit. Not even the wallpaper and the gadgets ! But that's just me - - leave it as it is !

Its like I can't wait to use my Vista ! I love it !

im using vista sp1 as well, n its definitely much better than xp! im using 2gb as well, n pls do not clear ur prefetch folder! it will increase ur apps start up time stupid! prefetch is there to cache ur bread n butter apps so u dnt hv to wait damn long for just a silly apps to start!

i think i shud jz add another 1G RAM to 3G......gege

u shud understand adding more ram doesnt add to faster booting time.. lol
the topic here is how to boost vista startup..

2GB is already enough for Vista

Boot Enhancements

The following tweaks will help you in achieving a better speed at startup and shutdown of you computer, general performance as well.

1. Disable TMM

This tweak is responsible cutting system start time 3-5 seconds and eliminating that blank screen flash when you start Vista. This normally occcurs when Vista searches for external monitors on startup of Vista. If you are not using an external monitor, or dont switch back and forth always...turn TMM off.

Here's how to fix that annoying black flicker on boot:

1. Go start/control panel/administrative options/task scheduler.
2. On the left-hand side, click "Task Scheduler Local" (you should already be there, but just in case).
Expand "Task Scheduler Library," then "Microsoft," then "Windows," then click "MobilePC."
Up top, you'll see a task called "TMM." Click it, and on the right-hand side, click "Disable."

If you use an external monitor occasionally as I do, just press and hold FN and press F8 twice to switch monitors.

2. Eliminate Unneeded Startup Programs

When your computer starts, there are a number of programs that start automatically and remain running in the background which steal away much needed memory. They add up in time and although many have no real use to the average user, others can be eliminated from starting automatically and started from the 'All Programs' or 'Quick Launch' menu as required. My best example of this is Messenger (or AIM/ICQ) which starts and hogs valuable resources even when your not using it.

First lets see how to get there to see what we have shall we?

1. Type 'msconfig' in the Run command (Winkey + R)
2. Press Start/Control Panel/Admin Tools/System Configuration/Startup; or
3. Download this excellent freeware program called Startup Inspector

This is an excellent program for the newby because it has a consultant which, not only tells you what each program is, but also tells you which are required by the system (user chosen, recommended, not required or unknown).

Now what can we disable and eliminate from the startup process? This is much an individual choice but I personally have shut down all that start 'NVIDIA, Messenger, Office and quicktime.

The good thing about disabling is, if you see a negative result...go into safe mode, Run, Msconfig and undo your changes.

3. Cut Shut Down Time In Half!!

I need to precede this with a warning that we are going to advance ourselves a bit here by moving into editing our registry. It means that its absolutely necessary to follow the exact steps as a wrong entry or deletion my cause a reinstall of Vista at worst.

Before we start, by default, there is a 20 second delay in shutdown of Vista, a process that vista has set in order to allow software to shutdown correctly. You can adjust this to a much shorter time, thus significantly reducing the total time it takes to shutdown your computer.

1. Press the Start Orb (bottom left and then go into the Run command (remember Windows key + R).
2. Type 'Regedit' (without the quotes) and hit enter.
3. As the Registry File is so large, Im going to ask you to go top right and maximize this to full screen
4. Click the little triangle to the left of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/ SYSTEM/ CurrentControlSet/ Control.
5. Click on the "Control" Folder. Select "WaitToKillServiceTimeout" Right click on it and select Modify. The default value is 20000. Setting it to a lower 4 digit value, say 5000
6. Simply exit when done.

The 20000 signifies a 20 second delay wheres 5000 signifies a 5 second delay. I cut 20 seconds off my shutdown time by changing this as it suggests so don't try and figure out exact time reduction by numbers...just play with it bit by bit.

You may want to remain at the 5000 mark as Vista does need time to shut software down. If this is not enough, come back and increase the size.

2GB of RAM is pretty much enough.

I suggest you after format and install Windows Vista. Make sure you install SP1 first before install the rest. This method always help to improve the performance.

Some people complaint that after install the rest of the software then only they install SP1, this will cause the Windows to load slower.

Also disable the file indexing feature of Windows Vista, it will help. One thing that I like to turn off was the Sidebar. Well, if you not really fancy about the Sidebar, you can turn it off too. This really improve your Windows Vista performance.

can we use stand by instead?which 1 is better?

If you dont want to upgarde ram, try this. Install service pack 1. Do checkdisk (not scandisk). configure msconfig.

here's my problem...it was not the startup program that makes slow..
its the welcome screen that we all see before we see desktop..

previously it only takes around 4-5 seconds on tat screen but problem
started after i install the service pack 1...it changes to 15seconds!!!
omg...does any1 know how to fix this??

also, i hav another query..if go into hibernate, is it completely same with shut down
(means nothing is left running, mobo, ram, hdd, processor)???

I came across this tweak to enable vista startup to use multiple core but not sure if is really works.. not yet try out... will try it after getting back from work...

1. Click on Start then type "MSCONFIG" hit enter then click continue through the UAC we talked about earlier. This opens a small screen containing some interesting startup options, playing with this will allow you to start and stop most things that run in the background. The startup tab tells you which company each service belongs to so you can use this to try and slim up your startup. One of the biggest impacts you can perform to your cold boot is in unlocking the potential of your new machine.

2. Select the boot tab, then choose advanced options...

3. Check off Number of processors, and set that drop down box to the highest available number.

What this is doing is unlocking Windows Vistas ability to use multiple cores to start up. When Vista was designed in order to make it compatible with older hardware this option was set to (1) so that it will always use only one core. By unlocking it you allow Vista to boot using all of your cores this can lead to a boot time performance increase of 15-40% for a cold boot and about 10% for a warm boot or a return from standby.

had u try it?
Is it works?

Just upgraded from XP SP3 to Vista Ultimate SP1 32-bit......after applying some methods you guys taught...i personally felt that the boot time n shutdown time is reduced by around 5sec~7sec...but still its slow...anymore ways>?

This post has been edited by Forgotten06: Oct 2 2008, 11:22 AM

eerrrrrr use linux..... it loads way faster...hahahahhaa..... if u buy asus motheboard express gate make u boot to online in internet just 5 second...lol

RAM does matter, put in more RAM will help.
Now I'm running Vista 64 bit with 8GB RAM plus some system tweak

i never Off my PC (Vista ultimate), i always turn in sleep mode whenever i leave my desk. came back tab any key to wake up save alot of startup time. can even play my C&C3 halfway pause then sleep mode, came back work then tab key continue my games.