Windows Services

[clarky2k3]

Hi there, I have a problem and I am pulling my hair out at this point. We bought some new (different) motherboards to replace broken ones in some of our computers (Gigabyte 945GCM-S2C) however I am creating a new image (complete re-install of windows) of these computers and the system is very sluggish and any users on the domain cannot login, so i logged on locally and following services that are set to Automatic are not starting - Automatic Updates, Computer Browser, Security Center, Windows Firewall/ICS,WMI and Winodws Time. After about 20 mins or so these services come to life and all is normal. Drivers are all up to date. Please help!!!

[Michael]

That is very strange. Is it just the motherboard you've replaced, then re-used the existing memory, CPU, hard disk etc or is it all brand new?

[clarky2k3]

Motherboard, Memory, CPU all brand new. Hard Drive is original.

[mac_shinobi]

I would be tempted to go into recovery console and run a chkdsk /r short of that replace the hard drive with a 7200 RPM hard drive. Edited March 10, 2009 by mac_shinobi

[clarky2k3]

The hard drive is 7200rpm.

[pete]

What do the event logs say?

Is it an onboard NIC? Do you get the same problem if you plug in a vanilla Intel Pro100 (or other generic well-supported card) network card and use that?

 

Edit: I assume the machine's finished patching itself from WSUS?

[clarky2k3]

Yeah the machine is fully patched, it is onboard network.I will try an Intel PRO 100 card and report back!

[Michael]

the system is very sluggish and any users on the domain cannot login

 

This would be an indication that the Netlogon service is not running. This service processes domain logons. Unless you're unlucky enough to have purchased faulty hardware, I probably would consider replacing the hard drive, but also re-seating the memory in a different slot.

[clarky2k3]

the netlogon service is running. This isnt just happening on one motherboard, cpu, memory bundle, this is happening on 10!

[Michael]

the netlogon service is running. This isnt just happening on one motherboard, cpu, memory bundle, this is happening on 10!

 

Was there any sluggishness when installing Windows? I presume you're running XP, but which Service Pack? Have you installed Windows ten times or installed once and then imaged a further 9 times?

[SYNACK]

Is the BIOS at the latest revision, it could be a hanging PnP routine at logon.

Troubleshooting the Startup Process

How to troubleshoot configuration errors by using the System Configuration utility in Windows XP

[clarky2k3]

I have done an image and image the other computers with SP3 fully patched, but obviously it didnt work but I am doing a second re-install to fix the problem ready to create an image but this time i did it without sp3. Would you recommend taking off any of the .NET framework. In regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control I made a DWORD ServicesPipeTimeout with the value 60000, this fixed the problem on next reboot, but on the reboot after problem happened again.

[clarky2k3]

Unfortunately I have updated the BIOS to the latest version.

[Michael]

The .NET Framework shouldn't have any influence on the problems you're experiencing. Have you tried going into Safe Mode with Networking? If you still have problems, then it could well be a hardware issue.

[clarky2k3]

Yep, I have tried that mate.

[Michael]

And is it still slow in Safe Mode?

[clarky2k3]

Yeah and the services still arent running.

[Michael]

I would try installing Windows (if you haven't done so already), onto one of your other systems you've built. If you still have the same problems, I would put it down as a hardware issue. Most likely the motherboard in my opinion.