XPS 8960 Performance

what are the PC specs . . . CPU, graphics card, PSU, and storage? If you are booting from an HDD spinning platter, that could be part of your problem. If it is a malfunctioning HDD spinning platter, that would exacerbate the problem.

I'm not very technical but this is what I can tell you:

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-14700   2.10 GHz
Installed RAM 64.0 GB (63.7 GB usable)
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Intel (R) UHD Graphics 770

2TB HDD

@willowozzy 

Well, I'd say anything over 1 minute would be abnormal for almost any PC.

However, there could be cases when it would be, like during some Windows Updates, especially Version updates?

Is this an every time you boot problem? Do you see some messages on the screen?

Are you measuring the time from power on until the Window Desktop opens and you can use the PC? If so, how long does it take to the Windows Sign-In screen?

Open a CMD prompt as Administator (in the taskbar Search enter CMD, then select on the right side "run as Administrator) agree to let it run and then enter MSINFO32. On the left, the STORAGE the sub-topic DISKS, what is the Model, that will show if it is an SSD (which it should be) or not? Next, check the disk for errors, enter CHKDSK, this will show errors. It is run in READ ONLY. If it does show error, enter CHKDSK /F and enter Y and then reboot. It will correct any disk errors and hopefully that will solve your problem, however, if you have an SSD, probably will not?

Next, how long have you had this, and I assume it was not Dell that sold it to you? Possible some h/w during shipping has 'dislodged' partially? Would not suspect RAM though but it could happen. I'd open the case and check all connections including the RAM and even the seating of the CPU/Heatsink (do not separate them).

You description to me more indicates READ errors on the Disk or some other feature problem? You said you have 64GB's but I wonder if ALL is working, as if you have very little (8GB's) you boot time could be correct.

Speaking of BOOT speed, it also depends on what you open as you boot. A list of that might help here, a few ways to get it, but Task Manager's Startup tab would show them to you. Another program, Autorun Organizer (https://www.chemtable.com/autorun-organizer.htm?utm_source=AutorunOrganizer&utm_medium=539 ) would show you and give you the boot time as well. That and the actual load times, with the time for the last few as well.

I also have Glary Utilities, and they not only show the boot time, can show individual load times for startup programs. Since I load the above program and it loads at start-up, it takes 10 seconds according to Glary. Glays says my boot time is 35 seconds, while the above program is 1 minute +/-.

There are other programs to measure boot times with varying info, such as Boot Racer.

Any of these program(s) could pinpoint you 'delay' in booting.

One thing I'd also suggest, when you first boot, and see the Dell Logo, press F12 and from that, run the DIAGNOSTICS, and I'd suggest if nothing found, I'd also do the extended Memory check (could take some time).

Another thing to try, boot to SAFE MODE (https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000124344/how-to-boot-to-safe-mode-in-windows-10) and see if it takes the same amount of time or well under a minute to boot. Would help in the troubleshooting.

@willowozzy​    where did you purchase your PC?  It is a peculiar set of components, with a mid-level CPU, and 64GB of RAM, but no discrete graphics card and no M.2 NVMe SSD for a boot drive.

So you are booting from an HDD spinner, which is last century technology and the slowest of all the storage formats. Since it seems to be making a lot of noise, it may be malfunctioning, making it even slower. My recommendation would be to come into the 21st century and install a 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD. Do a fresh install of Windows on that new drive, then see if your boot time improves.    Samsung M.2 NVMe SSD 2TB

Have you tried booting without any USB devices connected, aside from only keyboard and mouse? Is that any faster?

Also, open Task Manager and click Startup tab. Look in upper right corner to see "Last BIOS Time". What does it say?

Thank you everyone for your responses and help.

I must say that the computer is a lot better this morning, for some reason!

But to answer some of your questions - I purchased the PC a week ago from Dell Outlet.  It came as used but refurbished, with full Dell support.  The Dell Assist did not work and after trying everything I could find on the web, I contacted support and they tried to take remote control, but that didn't work either, so he recommended that I do a full Factory Restore over the weekend.  I did this, and have not installed any more software apart from McAfee and printer drivers (and now AutoRun Organsiser and Glary!), nor attached any usb devices (printer is wifi).  Oh, and the computer is connected by ethernet, not wifi.

My list of startup apps are below - I haven't changed this from the defaults.

My disk model is PC801 NVMe SK hynix 1TB and the second one is ST2000DM008 -2UB102

I ran CHKDSK and no errors found.

I have not yet opened the case as didn't want to invalidate the warranty.

Having run AutoRun Organiser and Glary, they are both saying my bootup time is 7 seconds.  So the delay I am experiencing seems to be from logging in to the PC and actually being able to use the internet!  When I click on MS Edge (new to this as always used Chrome before), the screen goes white and I have to wait a few minutes until the home page comes up.

I really do appreciate everyone's help, especially @ispalten, and I now feel a bit of a fraud as the utilities are saying my bootup is very quick, but it is still slow opening the initial program (MS Edge).  I cannot see on Glary where is states load time for each application?

But is it right that the hard drive should be making a chuntering noise all the time?

I have 14 days from purchase to return the PC, so still undecided whether to or not!

Update - I have just called in to PC World and we booted up a much lower spec PC and it was almost instant and silent!

I am returning my Dell!!!

@willowozzy​ 

Thanks for the data.

You do have an SSD that the OS is on, it will/should not make any noise. The second drive shouldn't either, but if you are hearing disk noise, it would be that one. It should be a DATA drive, my 8940 came with 2 drives as well, but there was nothing on the 2nd drive. I assume that is the case? Open Disk Management, in a CMD prompt, enter 'DISKMGMT.MSC' or just enter this into the search area of the Taskbar... should look like this (I've got smaller drive sizes):

I assume your 2nd drive would be K: as the other letters, D - J are used for the USB/camera card slots, but may not. The drive letter will show for DISK 1, and to see what is on it, in a CMD prompt enter "DIR x:" where "x:" is the letter you see for DISK 1. Should not be anything on it.

Also run "CHKDISK /F" on it as well.

Back to the booting times... there are 3 components here, and some programs show them differently, and so do not. For instance, look at what I see in Glary, Autorun Organizer, and Task Manager:

Glary had 2 numbers, one measured how long it took for me to go from turning on the PC to the BIOS doing its work and actually load the OS and then get to the Sign-in screen. The later one, how long it took Windows to be usable from the time of the Power button being pressed.

Then you have Task Manager:

Not sure what it is measuring here? Where as Glary shows 2 times, the BIOS and total, and those essentially match when added to Autorun Organizer, I'd believe those, not Task Manager, but the differences are not significant overall.

If you want more of a deep drive, get Boot Racer (https://greatis.com/bootracer/index.html) as it will show you a different view.

Tired of entering your password in the Sign-in screen and want the PC to boot directly to the Desktop? Use NETPLWIZ.CPL to do it, https://www.digitalcitizen.life/log-automatically-windows-7-without-typing-your-password/ and it will sign you in and go to the desktop. THIS can be a Security issue as ANYONE can then use your PC. At home, it works for us, as either of us can use the others PC if need be and not knowing or finding the P/W. DO NOT do this is other people could have access to the PC and you wouldn't want them to use it.

Well, the issue of Edge (Glary doesn't show PROGRAM timings, only the start up ones) and there is an Edge in Start-up, but that is NOT the actual Browser but the part of it that can be loaded to make starting of Edge faster. By the way, I use FIreFox by Mozilla, much faster.

However, there are some reasons why Edge loads slowly. Internet speed and the video card you have. The Internet could be the major reason, at least with an Ethernet cable you are not going to get any interference from wireless devices and motors/microwave in the home, but the ISP speed and the connection cable come into play.

The other is the video card, Intel's HD750 built into the motherboard. Not the fastest, vs. a discrete 2nd card on a PCIe slot. Not that that would improve the time that much.

I for one, would not open Edge on start-up. Want to use it, manually start it.

Noise, if it IS really the hard drive (2GB one) making the noise ALL the time, that is a problem. It should be quiet and unless you put your ear on it, you might never hear it. Disks generally spin all the time (it can be turned off when not in use in the Power Settings, but that is a topic for a later time). Making noise, something IS wrong.

What you COULD be  hearing is something else, the CPU fan, PSU fan, or one of the case fans, and at idle, you should not notice any noise (but it seems from the forum some never models do have some). This is an issue Dell Support might be able to help you with?

@ispalten 

Many Thanks once again for taking the time to look at my problem and offer some advice and suggestions.

The problems I have just got too unbearable, so I have boxed the computer up and am waiting for Dell to get back to me regarding how to return it!

I have gone back to my 9 year old computer for now, and can't believe how fast and how quiet it is in comparison!

I truly think there must be something very wrong with the PC they sent me, and it cost a LOT of money, so I am returning and will purchase something else - any suggestions, lol

As you have been so very helpful, may I just ask you opinion on one other matter?  Glary Utilities looks really useful.  I have currently purchased licenses with Ccleaner and Malwarebytes - do I need these or will Glary do the same job?

@willowozzy​ 

I am NOT a fan of CCleaner myself. It can do some 'real damage' if you don't know what it 'suggests' doing... but that holds true for all Registry cleaners I feel. Even if you do see some speed improvement, it will be temporary. I would not use ANY Registry cleaner unless I was willing to look at every suggested change, not worth it for me.

Malwarebytes? I've got it, and would only run it if I think I has some problems with a virus? I depend on Norton (or McAfee that Dell installs) as the first line of defense.

I will run Malwarebytes Adwcleaner occasionally as well as SpyBot Search and Destroy, but again, only when I think I have a problem?

Want to KEEP your Registry clean, get REVO Uninstaller... it does a much better job deleting programs. Too many if you use the programs uninstall it leaves stuff in the Registry and your USERS folder(s). Now in some cases, that could be good, like you want to use the program again with a later install, all your old data remains... but that would not usually be the case.

A good place to look for Tools and programs is majorgeeks.com or even thewindowsclub.com (even its downloads which are good).

Bottom line, I don't think any program (tool that is) exists that does everything, and some do a better job than others. Some are subject to user discretion if they are better or not.

I'd also suggest some back up program, like Macrium Reflect (there are many others) and install it on C: and then save the back ups (as many as you wish) on the data drive. That way, if something should go wrong, you delete a needed file or your C: gets attacked or corrupted, you can easily restore it to the last saved image.

If you need more or other info/suggestion, just PM me, click on my Icon in this message and select Private Message. No sense filling up this subject with 'chatter' and not about the actual subject.

Sorry about all these issues. There have been a few instances where Windows was mistakenly installed on the HDD instead of on the SSD which could cause slow booting to desktop.

It's also possible there was a pending Windows update trying to get installed at boot, but failing each time, so eventually gave up and lets PC boot to desktop after the delay, only to try again at next boot...