Windows 7 ULTIMATE LAG

I currently have a Dell inspiron laptop (I'm not sure what the model is because I'm not home right now) however specs include: 4GB Ram, 500GB HARD DRIVE, 2.10 GHZ processor, Intel core i5. My laptop had been just lagging constantly, taking over 10 minutes to just open the start button so I decided to restore it to factory settings to see if that would make a difference. After a factory reset, with no programs on the laptop, windows is still ULTIMATELY laggy. It took about 15 minutes to just open the start menu so I could shut down the computer, not being able to do anything else. Prior to having this lag my laptop would just get random lag spikes during gaming etc.
Much and urgent help would be so appreciated. Thank you.

A few thoughts:

1. The hard drive might be having errors. I'd test it with a utility. Or you can use the Windows "chk disk" command. Right-click on C drive -> Properties -> Tools tab -> Check Now button. It will reboot the machine to check the C drive.

2. Run cmd.exe as admin and type: sfc /scannow ...hit enter and let it check the integrity of the windows files.

3. Could also be a RAM problem. Might start by trying the easiest thing: re-seating it.

4. Might also be a virus but not likely since you restored to factory, though you never know. Maybe a rootkit could survive. Can download and run gmer to look for a rootkit, and then run a full scan with your AV of choice.

I'd probably do #3 first to eliminate it and b/c it's easiest... then #1, #2 and #4.

PS... until you get this worked out, if you have nothing open and just want to shut down, rather than waiting 15min for the start menu, just do a hard shut down... hold down the power button for 15 sec's or so and the machine should shut down. Good luck and let us know what happens. Also others might have more suggestions.

lehnerus2000 said:

You should backup your important files as soon as possible (e.g. create a backup HDD image).

When you run Check Disk, you might need to also select the "Repair bad sectors" option.
This option takes a lot longer to finish.

In my experience if the drive needs the 'repair bad sectors' enabled b/c there are actually bad sectors, the drive needs to be replaced anyway. Bad sectors are simply marked to be avoided, but once this occurs, the drive just keeps getting worse, and this option can take over 12 hrs on a machine that's working properly. :) I'd opt for the regular chk dsk to save time and either rule in or out the drive as being the problem. If it finds errors it can't fix, the drive needs to be replaced... if it doesn't find any errors, the drive isn't the problem. JMO.

In addition work through the Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7
to go over your install thoroughly and isolate the problem.

remm said:

A few thoughts:

1. The hard drive might be having errors. I'd test it with a utility. Or you can use the Windows "chk disk" command. Right-click on C drive -> Properties -> Tools tab -> Check Now button. It will reboot the machine to check the C drive.

2. Run cmd.exe as admin and type: sfc /scannow ...hit enter and let it check the integrity of the windows files.

3. Could also be a RAM problem. Might start by trying the easiest thing: re-seating it.

4. Might also be a virus but not likely since you restored to factory, though you never know. Maybe a rootkit could survive. Can download and run gmer to look for a rootkit, and then run a full scan with your AV of choice.

I'd probably do #3 first to eliminate it and b/c it's easiest... then #1, #2 and #4.

PS... until you get this worked out, if you have nothing open and just want to shut down, rather than waiting 15min for the start menu, just do a hard shut down... hold down the power button for 15 sec's or so and the machine should shut down. Good luck and let us know what happens. Also others might have more suggestions.

How is #3 done?

remm said:

lehnerus2000 said:

You should backup your important files as soon as possible (e.g. create a backup HDD image).

When you run Check Disk, you might need to also select the "Repair bad sectors" option.
This option takes a lot longer to finish.

In my experience if the drive needs the 'repair bad sectors' enabled b/c there are actually bad sectors, the drive needs to be replaced anyway. Bad sectors are simply marked to be avoided, but once this occurs, the drive just keeps getting worse, and this option can take over 12 hrs on a machine that's working properly. :) I'd opt for the regular chk dsk to save time and either rule in or out the drive as being the problem. If it finds errors it can't fix, the drive needs to be replaced... if it doesn't find any errors, the drive isn't the problem. JMO.

Well now the laptop isnt even able to reach the screen where I can type in my password so what do I do now?

RoasterMen said:

Re-install windows. Backup your files first.

i just did a fresh install of windows and i have no files to even backup

UPDATE: after doing another brand new installation of windows 7 everything seemed to be working fine, no lag nothing. So i downloaded all the drivers necessary and started to install them (Dell insprion N5110 and did them in recomended order) after restarting after one of the installations, windows doesnt function properly anymore and boots up straight into repair mode.