[MacNNUK]

Since I upgraded memory, (possibly also added extra software) I have noticed my startup is much slower.

No startup & login items, and startup library checked.

Memory tests ok independently, just wonder if the extra memory is being tested at startup, and slowing down the process, like Windows does. (POST)

Is there a key combination or other method to by pass startup memory test ?

[Big Mac]

How much RAM and how much slower? POST should only be slightly slower even if you max out an iMac's RAM capacity. There is no way to disable any testing, but you can startup holding down command-V (verbose mode) to see if there's a specific thing slowing the process down. Usually people with such issues find it's a network problem.

[mduell]

With just 4GB, I'd be surprised if the memory test at startup was causing long boot times.

[Simon]

The 3 GB memory should not cause any noticeable lag.

I'd say its the "extra added software". If you boot in verbose mode (cmd-v during boot) you should be able to see what's taking so long.

[MacNNUK]

It is just an impression, but my wife's imac does boot up quicker, same OS.

Virtually everything else the same.

Timed it today, switch on to login screen is 47 seconds

Total, inc login, to full desktop, no applications loading, is 68 seconds.

Measured Wife's almost identical, 1gb instead of 3gb, and DVD ROM 25 seconds to login, 32 seconds to full desktop

[Big Mac]

Did you look at verbose mode?

[Sherman Homan]

The log in issue is completely unrelated to ram. There is something else going on, as others above have said, the POST happens very quickly. Make a new test account, see if it behaves badly!

[Big Mac]

Yeah, POST occurs before the startup chime so unless you're waiting several seconds to hear that, that's definitely not the issue.

[MacNNUK]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

Did you look at verbose mode?

Yes, it all disappeared too quickly, unless there is a log somewhere.

Didn't notice anything untoward.

It's not a major problem, just takes a little longer to boot up.

[MacNNUK]

OK, found a log, system profiler system.log, and there seemed to be a lot of waiting for google desktop, which I had a while back, but uninstalled it.

So, I reinstalled it, and uninstalled all my google apps, desktop, earth and updater.

Indeed, my imac now starts up 10 seconds faster !

I'll see how it goes.

(No mention of google now in system.log)

[P]

The RAM test takes place between showing the gray Apple and showing the spinning wheel underneath it. Anything after that is in software.

[MacNNUK]

Update: Since deleting google desktop(s) my iMac continues to load at the faster speed, not quite as fast as my wife's imac, but still better than it has been recently