Black screen between Dell logo and screenlock lasting for 1minute

Good Morning @Essex It sounds like your Dell Inspiron 15 3525 with Windows 11 Pro is experiencing a common slow startup issue, even after a reset. The "black circle spins once then there is a ding dong sound" is a strong indicator that a program or service is trying to load or initialize, causing a delay before the lock screen appears. You're right to suspect a hidden program.

Here's a systematic approach to troubleshoot and hopefully resolve this:

1. Identify the "Ding Dong" Sound:

• Windows Startup Sound: While most modern Windows 11 installations don't have a prominent startup sound by default, some OEM (Dell) customizations or older settings might enable it.
  • Go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Sounds.
  • Look for "Play Windows Startup sound" and uncheck it if it's enabled.
  • Listen to other system sounds in this panel to see if any match the "ding dong."
• Application-Specific Sound: More likely, it's an application. Think about what software you have installed, even after the reset.

2. Check Startup Programs and Services (The Most Likely Culprit):

Even after a "reset keeping only files," some programs and services might persist or reinstall themselves.

• Task Manager:
  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Startup tab.
  3. Look for any programs with a "High" or "Medium" impact that you don't immediately recognize or need to start with Windows.
  4. Right-click on suspicious or unnecessary items and select Disable.
  5. Also, check the Processes tab for anything unusual running in the background, especially after a fresh boot.
• Windows Settings:
  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Startup.
  2. This provides a simpler view of some startup applications. Toggle off anything you don't need.
• Services (Advanced):
  1. Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  2. Go to the Services tab.
  3. Crucially: Check the box that says "Hide all Microsoft services". This prevents you from accidentally disabling critical system components.
  4. Review the remaining services. If you see anything unfamiliar or related to software you don't use, uncheck it. Be cautious here – if you're unsure, search online for the service name before disabling.
• Startup Folder:
  1. Press Windows key + R, type shell:startup, and press Enter.
  2. This will open the Startup folder. Any shortcuts here will run when Windows starts. Remove anything you don't want.
• Scheduled Tasks:
  1. Search for "Task Scheduler" in the Windows search bar and open it.
  2. Browse through the "Task Scheduler Library" (especially the Microsoft and Dell folders if they exist) for any tasks that are set to run at system startup or login that seem suspicious or unnecessary.

3. Update Drivers and BIOS:

Outdated or corrupted drivers, especially for audio or chipset, can cause strange startup behavior and sounds.

• Dell SupportAssist: Dell has its own utility called SupportAssist that can automatically scan for and install updated drivers and BIOS. If you uninstalled it during the reset, download and reinstall it from the Dell support website for your Inspiron 15 3525.
• Manual Driver Check:
  1. Go to the official Dell support website ( support.dell.com/en-in for India).
  2. Enter your Service Tag (found on a sticker on your laptop or by typing wmic bios get serialnumber in Command Prompt).
  3. Check for the latest BIOS, Chipset, Audio, and Storage drivers. Download and install any updates.
• BIOS Update Caution: Updating BIOS is a critical process. Ensure your laptop is plugged into power and the battery is charged. Follow Dell's instructions carefully.

4. Run System Diagnostics:

Dell has built-in diagnostics that can check for hardware issues that might be contributing to the startup delay.

• Dell ePSA/Pre-boot System Assessment:
  1. Turn off your laptop.
  2. Turn it on and immediately start tapping the F12 key repeatedly until you see the "One-Time Boot Menu."
  3. Select "Diagnostics" (or ePSA) from the menu and let it run. It will check your hardware, including memory, hard drive, and other components.
  4. Note any error codes or messages it provides.

5. Disable Fast Startup:

While designed to speed up boot times, "Fast Startup" (a hybrid shutdown feature) can sometimes cause issues.

• 1. Right-click the Start button and select Power Options.
  2. Click "Choose what the power buttons do" (or "Change what the power buttons do").
  3. Click "Change settings that are currently unavailable."
  4. Under "Shutdown settings," uncheck "Turn on fast startup (recommended)."
  5. Click Save changes and restart your PC.

6. Check Event Viewer for Clues:

The Event Viewer logs system events, which can sometimes pinpoint what's causing delays.

• 1. Search for "Event Viewer" in the Windows search bar and open it.
  2. Navigate to Windows Logs > System.
  3. Look for "Information" events related to "BootPerformanceDiagnostics" (Event ID 100) or errors/warnings around the time of startup. These might indicate what's causing the delay.
  4. You can also look under Applications and Services Logs for any logs related to pre-boot applications or unusual entries.

7. System File Checker (SFC) and DISM:

Even after a reset, system file corruption can occur.

• 1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator (Search for cmd, right-click, "Run as administrator").
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Let it complete. This checks for and repairs corrupted Windows system files.
  3. If sfc finds issues or doesn't fix it, run these commands sequentially (press Enter after each):
     • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
     • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
     • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. Restart your PC after these commands.

Why the reset might not have fully helped:

• Persistent Programs: Some programs install themselves in a way that "resets" don't fully remove, especially if they're tied to user profiles or specific driver sets.
• Driver Issues: A "reset keeping files" often retains existing drivers, and if a driver is the culprit, the problem will persist.
• Hardware Initialization: The sound might be related to a hardware component initializing (e.g., sound card, specific Dell software tied to hardware), and the delay is due to that initialization.

Regards..

Ravi Teja Beeram