Long boot time and passwords missing

Stanley1961 · 21 Feb 2020

The PC takes 2 minutes to boot and all my passwords on Roboform have disappeared.

I have a 2GB external hard drive on which I keep most of my important files, using shortcuts on the desktop to access them.

What's my best course of action toget things back to normal?

addendum: I see that I need to update my OS in my profile. It's Version 1909 (OS Build 18363.657)

adendum number 2: Can't see how to change it.

spapakons · 21 Feb 2020

Do you have Windows on your external disk? Your computer could try to load Windows from there. Loading from USB is much slower than loading from SATA. Also it cannot successfully boot to the desktop or login screen, that's why you see something else and not your usual account. Try unplugging the external drive and restart your computer. Tell us if the problem is fixed. If you want to have the external disk connected, you need to change the Boot Device Priority in BIOS and make sure your internal hard disk is first, not the external disk.

Samuria · 21 Feb 2020

If you have shortcuts to external drive windows will search for these on startup and have to wait for usb to come up first. Check both drives for errors as that could explain it

Andrew129260 · 21 Feb 2020

Samuria said:

If you have shortcuts to external drive windows will search for these on startup and have to wait for usb to come up first. Check both drives for errors as that could explain it

Also as mentioned above, but in addition I want to add that using an external hard drive like this if risky as if the drive dies you will lose everything. Why not store your files on the pc and use the external as the backup?

If the internal is too small, I would look into upgrading your capacity in your pc.

Stanley1961 · 21 Feb 2020

I tried a couple of times witht the external drive disconnected. No difference.

Many things have slowed down.

As all my Roboform passwords disappeared, I'm thinking that I have acquired some rogue software.

What's the best way to check for this?

RolandJS · 21 Feb 2020

If you already have installed security software, use them to run both short and more complex scans. The stuff those programs find will determine your next step in this cleanup.

Stanley1961 · 21 Feb 2020

Booting without the external drive is not noticeably faster.

I use Malwarebytes Pemium 4.0.4 It hasn't found anything.

I can't afford an up to date computer, I have to rely on refurbished ones.

There is something definitely wrong with this one, so I might traipse through what's on offer in the refurb market again.

addendum: I can't see how to change my system spec in my profile. I'm obviously missing something, but what. A bit of handholding wouldn't go amiss.

What would cause all my passwords, around 100, to disappear from Roboform?

I've also found that when entering text there is often a lag in a keypress being recognised.

Is it a computer fault or a bit of rogue software?

Samuria · 21 Feb 2020

If you have shortcuts on the desktop windows will search for them on boot even if external isn't there it will still search and retry. Did you check both disk first step then check task management startup tab what's showing in impact?

Stanley1961 · 22 Feb 2020

Sorry Samuria, I don't understand what you mean.

Why would all my Roboform passwords simply disappear?

Pejole2165 · 22 Feb 2020

Can you check you are signed into the correct account and not a temporary account?