Windows 7: 100% Disk Access / Slow Startup

I have been using my desktop for a while now, and I notice that even when the memory, CPU are active or inactive but not at a high usage level, a single task (such as right clicking on a tray icon) or opening a program will stall the hard drive, as disk access shoots up to 100% or near it.



I have posted a screenshot of my hard disk activity as monitored by the system utility 'Resource Monitor': All I did was open up windows live messenger, and then right click some system tray icons a couple of times, and then the resulting spikes happened.

Screenshot: http://i.imgur.com/hiYWM.png

When I first boot up my computer from a shutdown or sleep state, logging into an inactive account also hogs the disk access as everything slows down a lot for the first 30-60 seconds, as well.

OS Version: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate, Service Pack 1, 64 bit
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz, Intel64 Family 6 Model 23 Stepping 7
Processor Count: 4
RAM: 4094 Mb (667 MHz)
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series, 512 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 305141 MB, Free - 67058 MB;
Motherboard: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd., G31M-ES2L
Antivirus: Avira Desktop, Updated and Enabled

Hello and welcome to the forums, technicbuff!

Can you please perform a Clean Boot/Startup on your system and then open up and run chkdsk /r from an elevated command prompt?

Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup

To open an elevated command prompt:-

1. Click Start Orb
2. In search box, type cmd
3. Right-click on cmd.exe, and choose 'Run as Administrator'

In the command prompt type in chkdsk /r and when it prompts you to reboot, go ahead and do so...

After doing what Solarmystic has requested. Things to look into. Msnmsgr/wlcomm is using a lot of your cpu.
Windows 7 Forums the biggest Windows 7 help and support forum, friendly help and many Windows 7 tutorials that will help you get the most out of Microsofts new Windows 7 Operating System. - Search Results for msn high cpu use
Also agcp is using a lot of cpu.


Multiple instances of orphaned Silverlight AGCP.EXE processes stay running

I see nothing wrong with your disk activity. I have done appr. the same as in your scenario and have a look at my disk activity.

That's what i thought so too whs, until i looked at this section of his screenshot again...



Those are not normal numbers for only 1 - 10 MB/s transfers... especially that Disc Queue...

For example here's mine with the disk activity factored in and similar spikes on the disk graph



There's something definitely wrong with his disk accesses... Disk Activity and Queue Depth should not be as high as it is give the relatively low speeds.

These seam high to me.
msnmsg.exe 705,298
wicomm.exe 592,213
agcp.exe 555,282
Of course I very easily could be wrong.

technicbuff,

Welcome to SevenForums.

Two things needed:
Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

In the System Manufacturer Block, enter:
Manufacturer and Model and
ADD the word laptop, desktop, netbook or tablet.
For example:
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.

You will find that in Speccy, you can select info from the display
using your mouse/touchpad and then paste that info into your specs.

SIW is a marvelous program, but the free version does not offer
this capability.
===============================================
==================================================

Install CCleaner:
CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

list of STARTUP PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Windows tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept Startup.txt as file name | SAVE button

list of SCHEDULED TASKS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Scheduled Tasks tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
enter Scheduled Tasks as File name | Save button

List of INSTALLED PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept install.txt as File name | Save button


UPLOAD, as an attachment, the startup.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the Scheduled Tasks.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the install.txt file.

HOW TO UPLOAD
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums
==========================================

Since now CCleaner is installed then run the cleaner portion thereof on the off-chance that you've filled up some areas that need to be emptied.

Actually, I'm going to ask for a third piece of info:

HOW TO POST A SNAPSHOT OF DISK MANAGEMENT DISPLAY
Run disk management:
WIN | type DISKMGMT.MSC | ENTER
This method gives you a display without the unneeded navigation pane.
WIN=key with Microsoft logo on top.

Maximize the output of Disk Management:
Maximize the output of Disk Management:
ALT-Spacebar key combo | X key (selects Maximize) |
Drag the field separators (such as between Status and Capacity) to show entire field.


Make a snapshot:
WIN | type SNIPPING | ENTER | New
Drag the cursor around the area you want to snip.
File | Save as | select save location and name | Save


Post the snapshot:
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

===========================================
Looking forward to solving your problems.

karl

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your replies. I live in two different residences so I can't use the affected computer all the time, but now I am back here again.

I will attempt to run all the tests that have been recommended since the first post. I ran chkdsk and no problems were found with my hard drive. I also tried a 'clean startup' and it did not alleviate the problems in any noticeable way.

I already have CC Cleaner installed on my computer and will run a registry clean-up shortly.

At this point, does anyone think a defragmentation of my hard drive would be useful? I think I did one one or two years earlier, but I can't be sure. THe drive itself is about 66% full.

I will update this post as new information comes along, or if that is not possible I will make another post.

Thank you for the responses, it is good to know there are many knowledgeable and active members here.

Use the Windows 7 defragger. Most defraggers can cause disasters under certain conditions. The Win 7 defragger is perfectly safe.

Perform the defrag and let us know the results.

karl

technicbuff,

What anti-malware do you use?

Carry out following please:

Install CCleaner:
CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

list of STARTUP PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Windows tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept Startup.txt as file name | SAVE button

list of SCHEDULED TASKS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Scheduled Tasks tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
enter Scheduled Tasks as File name | Save button

List of INSTALLED PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept install.txt as File name | Save button


UPLOAD, as an attachment, the startup.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the Scheduled Tasks.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the install.txt file.

HOW TO UPLOAD
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums


==========================================

Carry out the following. Please note that this the 2nd request for the disk management display.

HOW TO POST A SNAPSHOT OF DISK MANAGEMENT DISPLAY
Run disk management:
WIN | type DISKMGMT.MSC | ENTER
This method gives you a display without the unneeded navigation pane.
WIN=key with Microsoft logo on top.

Maximize the output of Disk Management:
Maximize the output of Disk Management:
ALT-Spacebar key combo | X key (selects Maximize) |
Drag the field separators (such as between Status and Capacity) to show entire field.


Make a snapshot:
WIN | type SNIPPING | ENTER | New
Drag the cursor around the area you want to snip.
File | Save as | select save location and name | Save


Post the snapshot:
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums