Ways to Avoid Delays in PC System Log-In

Innovations in technology will soon be able to offer “instant-on” PCs and users will no longer need to wait for their PCs to boot, according to a Business Week report.

 

Most users are accustomed to always-on smartphones and netbooks, which may be left in ‘sleep mode’ for long hours without rebooting. Impatient with various logo displays when the Windows system boots most users are showing interest in hardware and software that speeds up the booting process, writer Rich Jaroslovsky said.

 

Windows’ slow boot time can be avoided by using programs which do not boot Windows when the system is switched on. Instead these programs found pre-installed in new computers from Dell (News - Alert), HPQ, Asus and others launches a stripped-down desktop which allows the user to surf the Web, see e-mail and perform some basic tasks. Windows is present and will come into use when the need arises.

 

“I’ve been using one such program, HyperSpace from Phoenix Technologies (News - Alert), on a Samsung NC10 netbook for the last couple of weeks, and even starting up cold, the speed is impressive,” Jaroslovsky said. “Press the power button and in 15 seconds the Linux-based HyperSpace presents you with a customizable screen including a Web browser, a notepad application, and RealPlayer media software, along with news, weather, and stock information. I jotted a quick note, watched videos on YouTube (News - Alert) (GOOG), and made calls using Skype, all without launching Windows.”

 

HyperSpace, however, does not eliminate the waiting period it only delays the wait in booting of Windows.

 

Also, Jaroslovsky said that using solid-state devices were effective as conventional hard drives or mechanical devices store the date on spinning platters, which require more time to locate the data. On the other hand, solid state devices do not use moving parts and use microchips which are instantly accessible. This requires less access time and less power, according to Samsung.

 

Such SSDs are manufactured by Samsung and Intel (News - Alert) and exhibit high speeds while booting Windows OS. Also the device shuts down in 5 seconds, Jaroslovsky said. He also said that Microsoft needs to do more to tackle this problem as many more alternative operating systems are now available in market. There is Apple’s (News - Alert) OS X and the current version Snow Leopard is much faster than Windows 7. Then there is Ubuntu a free consumer oriented version of Linux and Google which is planning for a new operating system Chrome OS for 2010.