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#1
Recent Performance Issues
Recently I have been having performance issues and I am getting a little stuck to what the problem could be.
I have Windows 7 x64 on a dell inspiron 9400.
Some time after using the laptop I start getting performance issues. The time can vary. The CPU starts going running at 40-100% despite nothing running. Task manager itself reports a good chunk of CPU usage even when open and other processes that would normally sit at 0% keep registering 1-10% cpu usage.
The CPU fan also kicks in on full speed and keeps running even when the CPU cools down. The only thing that makes the CPU fan return to normal operation is rebooting the computer.
I first thought it was a problem with recently installed programs so I removed them. It did seem to help, but after a short time using the laptop the issues returned.
I tried system restore to a time when I knew the laptop was ok and got exactly the same results. Initially ok with the problems quickly returning.
Next I formatted the Windows 7 partition and reinstalled the operating system.
Again, this had exactly the same results.
I then ran extensive memory tests which reported no problems. I ran a HD performance test and did not get the results I was expecting. I ran this test while the PC was behaving normally to enure disk access was not affected. Disk transfere speed did not seem consistant and access time wasa up by nearly 50%.
It used to be 12ms, but not returns as 16-18ms. The hard Disk was a WD Scorpio Black edition 320GB.
I assumed there were hard disk issues and that the HD usage was the result of disk errors so ordered a new HD. This time a WD Scorpio Black 500GB. Upon testing the transfere rates are much more consistent, although not quite as expected. Access times are still the same.
As with my other efforts, performance is excellent until the problem sets in and then I am back to high CPU usage with nothing running.
I am stuck now as to what could be wrong and trying other parts is going to get expensive. My system is also setup as dual boot, with Win XP 32 bit. In win XP everything seems to run ok, but I haven't used it enough to be sure if the problem will set in there.
Any ideas what could be wrong? I am getting desperate.
Cheers
Kenny