[request] Actual Working Startup Progress Meter

Hello there!

I am wondering if there is some kindof tool out there that shows what is REALLY being loaded as your computer starts up.

I have seen several things like:

ObjectSplash

SplashPanel

Visual OS Bootloader

What has seemed to be missing (to me at least) is that NONE of these are connected in any way to the real bootup process. They have no idea what actual programs are being loaded, and NON of the information they display is anything other than "window dressing".

It took me forever to actually find "ObjectSplash" - I had seen a screenshot with no information and it took me about a month to figure out that it was ObjectSplash, and that unlike what I thought from the screenshot - it was just faking things.

So here I sit, about ready to start coding this thing unless the proverbial wheel has already been invented.

Is there some tool out there that I don't know about?

Thanks,

-Verxion

#201394

Well at the present moment, no such thing exists.

Here lies the difficulty.

The Windows boot process is done while the file NTOSKRNL.EXE is running the startup screen in the foreground.

This file displays the Windows XP logo and the pathetic progress indicator during the entire boot process.

Many have modded it to look like the grey Apple boot screen but have not been able to duplicate the spinning indicator.

The OS X boot process is considerably different in that the grey Apple boot screen and the spinning indicator are only the first part of the boot process. This indicates only the initial kernal load and a few base components.

The second part is the graphical component that indicates things like the network startup status and other services.

ObjectSplash and others try to simulate this but can't actualy do it for real.

The reason this is not functional or can't truely represent anything is that by the time it get's loaded, the boot process has already been completed.

If you can find a way to breakup the Windows boot process and intercept and graphicaly display the starting of Services prior to the shell loading, I say more power to you.

Many have tried and many have failed.

I don't doubt anyones abilities, I just know what a PITA this would be to accomplish.

Good luck.

#201396

I think you at least partially misunderstood me here. There are other things that load on Windows after you login, things like objectdock or rainmeter, serious samurize, obviously it depends on what you have on your system.

THOSE are the things I am talking about.

-Verxion

#201692

Ahhhh... I see said the blind man.

Sounds like an interesting idea.

Not sure I personaly see a use for such a thing, but sounds cool anyway.

#201709

Well, I got it working to the point that it now detects everything that gets launched after you log in.

I need to find a way for it to detect that everything has finished loading and then it will know when to quit.

Next is to add in support for the user to define the icons for each program in the startup process, and it should be worth using.

As for its use - it is more aesthetic than anything else. I remember YEARS ago seeing a mac showing which "extensions" it was loading at startup. I always thought that it looked cool, and wanted the same thing on windows, but had no way to get it until now. Granted, you don't see what is loading BEFORE you get the login screen, but it is nice for me to actually see what is loading after I login to windows. You see why it takes the system a little time to finish starting up.

-Verxion

#201853

"I need to find a way for it to detect that everything has finished loading and then it will know when to quit."

-- Just a suggestion, but for the first implementation, could you simply allow the user to define which programs to detect and upon completion of those programs loading, your app would know to quit? In this manner one could get the program to be fairly concise I would imagine.

~fc

#201856

Yes, that is what I have it doing now. Here is the basic algorithm:

1. User logs in for the first time after installing it

2. Show a window to track what is loading

3. Show EVERYTHING that loads

4. Window closes once no new programs have been launched for 3 seconds (user configurable)

Now, it has run for the first time. You can now launch the configuration gui:

1. The GUI shows a list of all the apps that loaded at this bootup.

2. Each app has a checkbox next to it, which defaults to being checked.

3. Each app also shows the default icon (a question mark) next to it, but which can be clicked.

4. Unchecking an application will prevent it from being "detected" on subsequent logins.

5. Any checked app will forevermore "detected" on subsequent logins.

6. Clicking on a question mark allows you to browse and define an alternative icon for the app in question, and that icon will be displayed when the app is loaded.

So what I am working on now is that I want to allow programs to be deleted from the list (for things you uninstall), and I want to make it so you can configure the backsplash behind these icons to whatever graphic you want.

-Verxion

#201865

Looks like I will probably be ready for some testers soon. It is looking good so far.

It automatically detects when you have installed new software. If you get a trojan or virus or something that adds itself to the startup process, it detects it and you can see that it was added, and as what process name.

The main thing I see as a downer so far is that it needs 80x80 pixel icons. I don't know enough about the icon scene to know if there are some TRULY free or redistributable icons that I can use or bundle with this thing. I also don't have anything in my app yet to deal with resizing icons for you, so if you give it a 192x192 icon, it looks all messed up.

So it isn't really ready for primetime yet, but if you give it what it is expecting, it looks pretty cool.

I love booting my system up now.

-Verxion

P.S. I am thinking that I can add some functionality to this thing to alert you to known possible virus and trojan applications that get launched so it can actually be helpful in addition to just looking purty.

#202133

@Verxion,

Your app and progress sounds impressive, I would be honoured to test your app if you would like.

my email address is: leon@americanautoclave.org

Might I suggest a brainstorm session with AndreasV of AVE Apps for proper Icon handling? He has created some really nice icon related programs and may be able to expedite the process.

best regards,

~fc

#202139

I will see about getting in touch with Ave about the icons.

As for testing, I just need to find a free compiler for it, and then I will email you a copy.

-Verxion

#202675

Sounds like a pretty cool little app this does Verxion!

If you still require more testers then feel free to email me it over at files@stom.co.uk

From what I understand it seems to be very similer to a program I use on my Amiga system called WBStartup+. It 'sits' in the WBstartup drawer of the system and moves the original files elsewhere for execution, it then gives you a graphical representation of what its starting and running for you along with a progress bar and of course icons. I especially like the idea of it sitting there and seeing if there has been anything else added to the startup without your knowledge!

I wish I was able to help you out in any other way than testing though! My graphics skills aint exactly brilliant on PC boxes (they are okish on Amiga systems cos I am used to the software) and I cant code nothing (but I have not tried so thats probably my own fault!)

Feel free to email me a copy if you can find a compiler! (I cant even help there becauseI aint sure exactly why type of compiler you are looking for!)

Cheers and good luck with what should be an interesting app!

#206071