Diagnosing slow bootup

[Brian49]

Linux Mint 7 (64-bit Gnome-based edition) takes about 90 seconds to boot up, from the moment I hit the PC's power button until I have a usable desktop. This isn't too bad, but on the other hand the equivalent process with Windows Vista on the same machine used to take about 30 seconds. So I would like to find out whether the time can be improved.

I installed and ran bootchart to try and get some pointers, but its log chart (please find attached) leaves me puzzled as it says that the bootup time is 32 seconds.

Bootup does indeed proceed quickly up to the moment when the mouse pointer appears on the screen, against a black background; perhaps that is the 32 seconds. But then it takes a full minute to get from there to the desktop.

I would be very grateful for any advice as to how to get a better handle on this issue, please. Many thanks.

[Vidar]

Bootup does indeed proceed quickly up to the moment when the mouse pointer appears on the screen, against a black background; perhaps that is the 32 seconds. But then it takes a full minute to get from there to the desktop.

That's exactly my situation and I'm using Mint 7 32bit. When the desktop finally appears the wireles connection and other stuff is already loaded, so it seems the desktop itself is somehow the last to be loaded....? How could this be speeded up?

[mzsade]

I too have tried the various tweaks like removing unneeded apps from startup and some services, but this would not lead to any drastic improvements in speed. It would seem that there are certain limitations of the kernel, the loading times of Gnome, etc, (i take it your hardware is up to scratch), however, do not despair, Mint 8 is just around the corner and i am sure it will be able to cater to our obsession with boot times and more.

[Brian49]

Can you (or perhaps the developers) say how MInt 8 will make a difference to this issue, please? Thank you.

[mzsade]

I am sure the developers can speak volumes, all i know is that Karmic boot times are significantly faster and since Mint 8 is going to based on that architecture, it would safe to assume the same would apply to it.