Right-click on desktop takes forever

[Golden]

Hi,

OK. As per that Disk Check tutorial that Greg posted, you really want to be running chkdsk /R

The /R option analyses physical disk errors, and attempts to recover information from the bad sectors. This is why your system is so slow : I suspect some critical files, or parts of files, are located across these bad sectors.

I take it you are still running the read-only chkdsk, so don't interrupt that, but once you are done you really want to run chkdsk /R.

Also, can you post the image of the Crystal Disk info that you ran (maybe run it again when you get the chance) : its easier to see what the problems with the disk are in graphical format.

Post back here if you want me to explain further.

Regards,
Golden

 

[Alvin93]

Thanks for the explanation Golden, I don't really hope much with this read-only CHKDSK taking 20+ hours just to get to 5%.

Sorry for being pessimistic but when I let it do CHKDSK after the Windows logo (you know what I mean right?) it wasn't making any progress for about 5+ hours. I wanted it to finish while I sleep but I forgot to plug it into AC Power so it finished prematurely. I'll just back up the files inside and see if my wallet allows me to get a new HDD + Windows 7...

I'll post the CrystalDisk image later when this CHKDSK session finishes. Maybe for another 24hours... :frown:

 

[Golden]

Yeah....unfortunately, the disk is probably so bad it will take some time to do.....worth leaving it a while to see if it gets through, but you must do the /R option next time, or it wont try to fix anything.

Easiest solution is a new HDD if you can affored it.

 

[gregrocker]

I find the best time to do routine testing and maintenance of the HD is at reinstalls. Run maker's HD diagnostics/repair utility extended scan, followed by chkdsk. Then wipe the HD.

This is also a good time to test your RAM, so you go into a fresh install confident of your hardware.

 

[Alvin93]

OKay then, one last question. I'm planning to buy a new HDD to replace this one. Since I need another external I'm going to repair this one and make it external. If I just copy all the contents inside this old HDD to my new HDD including the Windows, will I get the counterfeit-OS notice? Should I buy a new Windows just because I'm changing my HDD?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I forgot to tell that I'm using a laptop. When I bought this I didn't get a Windows 7 installer DVD, I just got a recovery partition pre-installed inside the disk.

 

[Golden]

Hi Alvin,

No : you do not need to buy a new copy of Windows.

Copy your old data out to an external disk, and then once you put in the new disk, do a fresh install of Windows from your Windows DVD to the new disk. Follow the same procedure for your programs.

Regards,
Golden

 

[johnnya]

"Copy your old data out to an external disk, and then once you put in the new disk, do a fresh install of Windows from your Windows DVD to the new disk. Follow the same procedure for your programs."

I believe Alvin said he does not have a Windows Install DVD - just a recovery partition. If I am not mistaken, this model has the ability to burn a full set of recovery DVD's. That ability should be in the HP Software currently on board. If you can actually get the system booted up, it might be worth a try to first create these and then use them to rebuild your new HD. By the way, if your current system has a 5400rpm HD then I would replace it with the same rpm HD.
Cheers
JohnnyA

 

[Golden]

I believe Alvin said he does not have a Windows Install DVD - just a recovery partition.

Thanks Johny. Good pick-up, I had a quick scan back through the thread to see if it was an OEM, but missed that bit.

 

[johnnya]

Good to see you Golden. I hope the OP can create a set of recovery DVD's
Cheers
JohnnyA

 

[Golden]

Mmm....I wonder what would happen if its not possible to create the recovery disks? Surely there must be a way to extract the recovery partition to a new disk?

Regards,
Golden

 

[johnnya]

That is a very good point. Perhaps he could use Macrium Disk Imaging to image the recovery partition on the old drive, and then restore this image to new HD and then do a factory restore then. Worst case senario, he can order a set of Factory Restore DVD'd from HP.. About $30 approx.
JohnnyA

 

[Golden]

Macrium will certainly do the job : Alvin, let us know if you can burn the recovery disks, and we can then tackle the imaging side with macrium.

Regards,
Golden

 

[gregrocker]

If either of the HD's - old moved to external or new - are WD or Seagate you can use their premium cloning/imaging app downloadable from the Support Downloads webpage for the model HD. The Manual is there, too, and is easy to understand how to clone your old HD over to the new one, or save a backup image externally to reimage it.

If the source HD cannot be cloned or imaged then your options are to order Recovery Disks to reimage the new HD, or find a Win7 installer to clean reinstall using the Product Key on COA sticker: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

 

[Alvin93]

Sorry for taking too long to reply. I've made one recovery disk before and the size is only about 238MB. That gave me doubts because my brother made it too for his brand-new laptop and used 3 full 4.7GB DVDs.

I also downloaded WD's disk imaging software but haven't got the chance to use it. More like, I don't know where to start. Should I do the CHKDSK /r first then do the imaging or just go for the disk image?

Regarding the new HDD, I still haven't found what I wanted. I planned to buy it at a local computer bazaar but they only got HITACHI 7200rpm ones. *sigh*

I also got the I/O device error when I want to access one of my folders, so backing up that sector may be not possible in this laptop.

Can I use WinXP to run CHKDSK /r for this?

Thanks in advance to all.

 

[gregrocker]

Re-reading the thread it is clear the HD is failing. If HD Diagnostics/Repair CD scan or http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html run from http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html cannot repair the bad sectors and file system errors then rescue your files and try to make a last-ditch System Image to restore to the new HD.

If this fails (which is likely) then you'll need to order Recovery Disks if you want the factory preinstalled software and utilities, or find a Win7 installer for your version to http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

 

[Alvin93]

I fixed the I/O device error after 3 days of CHKDSK, lucky me. The data are all safe and backed-up, and Windows is running, although it's still loading slowly and the WMP is broken.

And now when I wanted to defrag the C: partition it didn't show up in the disk defragmenter.

I wanted to do a repair install and read the repair install tutorial, but it confuses me at the part where it said you must use the same/newer version of windows update. If so, then what's the use of making a repair-install CD? Do I have to waste the old repair-install CDs every time there's a Windows update?

I'll change the HDD after I am convinced enough about moving an activated windows to another HDD. I am not confident enough to do the repair install and clean install and things like that. I have to at least see other people doing a repair install/clean install.

@Golden: Do you know what's the average size of the recovery? Like, as I stated in the post before, I made a 238MBish of recovery disk while my brother made 3x4.7GB full DVDs of recovery disk.

 

[gregrocker]

A http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R is run using the Installation DVD not the Repair CD.

It needs to have the same version so if you have SP1, it needs to be slipstreamed into the Installer's ISO first: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72185-sata-drivers-slipstream-into-windows-xp-cd.html?ltr=S

Read the manual for the Acronis free imaging app you downloaded as it is easy to understand. I would save a backup image externally now using Acronis and Win7 backup imaging which you can try to apply later to your new HD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

 

[johnnya]

Hi Alvin93. Just a couple of points.
1. My experience with creating recovery DVD's on many laptop's has alway taken 3 to 4 full DVD's. Not sure what you did to only get a few 100mb.

2. Have you attempted a second try at making recovery DVD's? Believe it or not some Manufactures only allow you to make 1 set. Not sure why that is!! HP does this/or did I have found.

3. If we can see the recovery partition on your hurt HD, and safely image it out to an external HD, then once you install a new HD, then getting your system back to original shape will be pretty straight foreward.

4. If you could post a full expanded screen shot of your Disk Management layout using the Snipping Tool we could see if the Recovery Partition is even there. Step= Start Orb, Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management, Disk Management.
Get back
Cheers
JohnnyA

 

[Alvin93]

Sorry if this thread is going on circles, but I still want to know a couple more things.
Disregard my previous 'last question'

If I format the C: partition can I still reinstall my Windows? And with what will I re-install it, an installer DVD or the recovery partition? I asked a computer retailer for a Genuine Windows 7 but he told me just to use counterfeit ones, saying that it doesn't worth it. I am worried about those legal stuff. I have so many 'what if's in my head just thinking about using counterfeit windows in my laptop. IF it's desktop I probably wouldn't worry about it.

Re-reading the thread p), I got two conclusions: either I do the imaging to the new HDD or just buy a new windows, am I right? Then if I do the imaging will the OEM key still 'genuine', the HDD being changed and all? Seriously, IMO OEM Windows is not very end-user friendly.

Which one will you guys do if you had the same problem as mine:
just change the HDD and buy a new retail windows7, or,
try the imaging thingy without knowing which data are lost or un'copy'able?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ich]

Alvin93

Have you recently updated your drivers through "DriverMax" or similar?

Ich