After doing a system cleanup, my PC unbearably slow and is unable to r

KanklesAreSexy · 26 Mar 2013

I really have no idea where to start. I recently used Auslogic BoostSpeed to defrag and clean my system. I also did a Windows update shortly afterwards. After both of these were done, my computer became practically unusable. Every program I open takes forever to load and many of the programs will just refuse to respond. I have tried a system restore, but that didn't achieve anything. I have a custom build desktop for gaming, but it is rendered useless as I can't load a single game. Could it be a virus? I am just lost, as I don't know where to even start.

DeaconFrost · 26 Mar 2013

You should be able to run your normal AV scans to check for a virus, but since you used a program to "tweak" your system, it is very possible that you may have damaged the install. I'd back up the data, and try to repair it using your Windows 7 disc. If that doesn't work, it may be a good excuse for a clean install.

KanklesAreSexy · 26 Mar 2013

After doing a drive monitor, I've found that my HDD is bad and a failure is predicted. I guess I'm going to have to replace it if it's still under warranty.

ICIT2LOL · 26 Mar 2013

Well try a hard drive test if that comes up ok then perhaps a memtest too

SeaTools for Windows | Seagate

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool this you will need to make a bootable disk and set the BIS to boot from the optical drive insert the disk and let it boot to memtest and then run it for at least 8 passes. But try the HDD test first.

Another disk test you can run as well is a physical surface test with this

Best Free Partition Manager Freeware and free partition magic for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista and Windows XP 32 bit & 64 bit. MiniTool Free Partition Manager Software Home Edition.

As Deacon Frost says have you perhaps mucked up the install? You could try this to see SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

gregrocker · 27 Mar 2013

Many of us used Boostspeed in XP and early Vista but now all it's worth in Win7 is to mess it up. Win7 requires no tweaking beyond normal system settings and those steps shown in Optimize Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums - particularly to edit visual effects on low RAM PC's to disable animation, sliding, fading, ddragging intact and selection rectangle which are RAM hogs.

So what I'd do is take the time now to get a perfect Clean Reinstall and then stick with the tools and methods which assure you'll get and keep a perfect install.

3D Jed · 28 Mar 2013

Advice is often given here (quite correctly) to never use registry cleaners, system optimizers and the like because they will screw your system. However this forum is full of adverts for just these products. I clicked one yesterday out of curiosity and was greeted with the message 'your download is ready'. From experience of repairing broken pcs, this usually means 'click here and your machine will never work again'.

So are the cleaners/optimizers advertized on this forum somehow different to all the other snake oil scams ?

Jed, getting out of bed wrong side etc

Wahid145 · 28 Mar 2013

hay bro i am using Austlogic BoostSpeed for 4-5 month now.. it runs perfectly for me!!! you can still try Gary Utilities :) search it in Product reviews and prices, software downloads, and tech news - CNET

gregrocker · 28 Mar 2013

3D Jed said:

Advice is often given here (quite correctly) to never use registry cleaners, system optimizers and the like because they will screw your system. However this forum is full of adverts for just these products. I clicked one yesterday out of curiosity and was greeted with the message 'your download is ready'. From experience of repairing broken pcs, this usually means 'click here and your machine will never work again'.

So are the cleaners/optimizers advertized on this forum somehow different to all the other snake oil scams ?

We never see those here Jed because the ads disappear once you sign in and all of us stay signed in. So I would stay signed in to avoid them.

The Forums is a business so some trade-offs must be made to get the advanced features we enjoy that none others have or that work better here, and have helped make us the top tech forums on the web.

Wahid145 said:

hay bro i am using Austlogic BoostSpeed for 4-5 month now.. it runs perfectly for me!!! you can still try Gary Utilities :) search it in Product reviews and prices, software downloads, and tech news - CNET

I would not run any such optimizer or cleaner more than CCleaner. I would also not download anything from CNET which is known to roll crapware into downloads.

If still possible I would System Restore to a point before you ran it, or check now if System Files have been damaged with SFC /SCANNOW Command

You do not need such optimizations with Win7 which is already as lean and optimized as an OS can possibly be. Just maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
on adequate hardware, using only the tools and methods in the blue link tutorial which work best with Win7.

ICIT2LOL · 28 Mar 2013

I'm with Greg only I always download from piriform for their stuff and well CNet what a crock.

If you download say CCleaner then just tick the box to be advised of an update - woks for me.

nilank · 29 Mar 2013

Can you uninstall the Windows Update you installed? Maybe that can be the culprit. I know people will instantly point fingers at me, but believe me, some Windows Updates have the potential to render a system useless.

Information source: Personal experience.