HELP! Computer performs certain actions very slowly

kc_kyle

kc_kyle

kc_kyle

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22 Dec 2010
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A couple of months ago I went away for the weekend. Computer was working fine before I left. When I came back I switched the computer on and it took about 20 minutes to start up (before it took less than 5 minutes). I thought maybe it was just a one off, but it happened again and again. Additionally, the computer would hang whenever I tried installing/opening a program, which requires UAC. To solve this I went into safe mode and changed these settings to make it less strict. Now it doesn't hang anymore, but it still takes a long time to load up the application and windows boot is as slow as ever.

I've been writing my dissertation, so I didn't want to fiddle around with the computer too much in case something goes wrong, so I've just put up with it until now.

Here's a list of the things I've tried to solve the problem:

- CCleaner and registry clean
- Disable automatically running unnecessary programs on start up
- Virus scan
- Disk cleanup
- Disk defrag
- Disk check
- sfc/scannow
- increasing partition size of my C-drive (currently 27% free)
- Malwarebytes scan
- DriverUpdate
- FixCleaner

I have 4GB RAM, 40-60% of it is generally in use. CPU (AMD Phenom II X4 955 Processor 3.20GHz) usage doesn't exceed 10%. My OS is Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit.

I'll be happy to hear any ideas of how I could diagnose and/or fix this without having reinstalling windows. Thanks.
 
The PC is just over 2 years old. My internal hard drive is divided into two partitions (one with my programs, one with my data), otherwise the only other hard drive is my external one. I guess I'll back everything up first (most of it already is) and look at the MEMTEST and SMART monitoring. If I still get no joy, then I guess a clean install is the only option.
 
ThaReaperGuy said:
Better off just having a single partition, never seen the point in splitting up a HDD for that.



Partitions be affected this way, besides the dual boot?
Click to expand...

Sorry I don't understand the question. I decided to make two partitions because I thought it would keep things more organised, particularly in splitting my program files from my data files. It also means if I want to do a clean install, I can theoretically do it without touching my data drive.
 
I had to take my computer apart a bit because of a problem with my CD Drive. I noticed that it's become very dusty over the past 2 years so I cleaned the parts I could get to without taking everything apart (I'm still just a novice when it comes to assembling a computer). This seems to have shortened the start-up time by about half. Now it takes about 10 minutes. Could it be that the accumulation of dust is the sole reason for my computer's lack of performance? I ran DiskCheckup (SMART monitoring) and it's showing no faults with my HDD. Will try MEMTEST86+ at some point today.
 
MEMTEST86+ showed no problems. I then updated DiskCheckup and ran the Disk Selt Test, which claims that there's a "read element" failure with the HDD. I have a Western Digital HDD and just googling the problems shows that read element failure is actually quite common with WD. Is it likely that this is the cause of my computers sporadically slow performance speeds?
 
I downloaded the WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostic, which is designed to check the functionality of specific WD drives. The quick test firstly showed the same results (read element failure). I then tried the extended test and after 6 hours it stopped saying Error "08 - Too many bad sectors detected." I then tried the quick test again and it passed...

Test Option: EXTENDED TEST
Model Number: WDC WD15EARS-00Z5B1
Unit Serial Number: WD-WMAVU1573818
Firmware Number: 80.00A80
Capacity: 1500.30 GB
SMART Status: PASS
Test Result: FAIL
Test Error Code: 08-Too many bad sectors detected.
Test Time: 09:30:27, April 07, 2013

Test Option: QUICK TEST
Model Number: WDC WD15EARS-00Z5B1
Unit Serial Number: WD-WMAVU1573818
Firmware Number: 80.00A80
Capacity: 1500.30 GB
SMART Status: PASS
Test Result: PASS
Test Time: 13:41:35, April 07, 2013

How can this be explained?
 
Unfortunately my warranty has ran out on this HDD (just a couple of months ago in fact). I have backed everything up on my external hard drive and important work is on a USB stick so I'd say I'm well covered. I guess the question now is, what is the best kind of hard drive to get. After this experience I don't fancy going with WD again.
 
One thought that's just occurred to me. The warranty ran out on 31st January and these problems started on 3rd February. Am I being cynical in thinking this is more than just a coincidence?
 
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