PC very slow after installing windows 7?

emiliobob15 · 25 Nov 2012

Hi guys, I have always used win XP on my pc (Intel Core I7-920 Quad 2.67GHz; GeForce GTS 450; 3 gb ddr3; Motherboard: Foxconn Renaissance X58) but the other day I decided to upgrade it to win 7. I installed the new OS and now my Pc is slow as hell. I can't do anything on it. Please help me out. What might be the problem? I am still missing some drivers but that can't be it right? A friend told me to buy a new HDD but how will that help?
Thank you

Sir George · 25 Nov 2012

emiliobob15 said:

Hi guys, I have always used win XP on my pc (Intel Core I7-920 Quad 2.67GHz; GeForce GTS 450; 3 gb ddr3; Motherboard: Foxconn Renaissance X58) but the other day I decided to upgrade it to win 7. I installed the new OS and now my Pc is slow as hell. I can't do anything on it. Please help me out. What might be the problem? I am still missing some drivers but that can't be it right? A friend told me to buy a new HDD but how will that help?
Thank you

Did you run the upgrade advisor;

http://windows.microsoft.com/is-IS/windows/downloads/upgrade-advisor

In regards to the HDD, your friend may be suggesting an SSD. I really wouldn't know. You can learn more about SSD's from;

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9230882/Hard_disk_drives_vs._solid_state_drives_Are_SSDs_finally_worth_the_money_

Could you please post a clearer definition of what is running slow with a time reference, such as; 3 minutes to boot, open MS Word takes over 45 seconds and the like.

HTH

TheCyberMan · 25 Nov 2012

After installing Windows 7 from a MS Windows 7 disc you will need to install all the drivers for your hardware as above even tho windows 7 has default drivers installed for devices these are generic and may not work as well as manufacturer specific drivers.

Below is a link for hardware drivers from different manufacturer's please install the chipset drivers first before any other drivers as these give the correct locations for all other drivers to be installed as well as USB universal hub and controller firmware for different hardware.

If it is a custom build simply download all the drivers from the motherboard website and for add-on cards such as graphics or audio or pci sata controller cards etc from the vendor websites.

Latest Windows 7 Drivers (Updated November 8, 2012)

indianacarnie · 25 Nov 2012

I thought you needed at least 4 gb RAM for win7? I too would run the upgrade advisor if I was you. Personally I think a adding some RAM would help tremendously.

As far as the HDD goes, of course a SSD would be faster too, but even a mechanical spinner at higher r.p.m would help. I don't see much in the way of system spec.'s so can't advise on that.

TheCyberMan · 25 Nov 2012

For x64 Windows 7 4GB ram is recomended to run todays apps although it will run on 2GB ram(minimum requirement) but running memory hungry apps is not advisable as it will slow it down to a crawl.

For x86 2GB ram should be adaequate the minimum requirement is 1GB but above applies also.

Having more ram is always better to help with performance.

In the OP' case i do not think all the hardware drivers have been installed so that would be my first step to remedy the situation and see if there is any improvement and then look at the hdd unless there has been previous underlaying problems we are not aware of.

emiliobob15 · 25 Nov 2012

I have 6 gb of ram, my bad. When I say slow I mean really slow. 10/12 secs to open internet explorer and my computer. I am defragmenting disc C right now. Hope it helps.
So you say that the missing drivers could make the machine slower?? I hope so. In that case the problem could be solved just by installing them.
How can a new hdd/ssd help?

Sir George · 25 Nov 2012

emiliobob15 said:

I have 6 gb of ram, my bad. When I say slow I mean really slow. 10/12 secs to open internet explorer and my computer. I am defragmenting disc C right now. Hope it helps.
So you say that the missing drivers could make the machine slower?? I hope so. In that case the problem could be solved just by installing them.
How can a new hdd/ssd help?

Have you checked to see what is running at startup? You can use msconfig to view the entries. Just type "msconfig" in the "Start" caption box and select the "Startup" tab; you can disable all of the entries and restart to see if that cures the problem. If performance improves, add back the entries one at a time to isolate the problem.

HTH

TheCyberMan · 25 Nov 2012

6GB of ram is plenty enough for windows 7.

When you use a MS Windows 7 disc to install the operating system it does just that and it loads default drivers for devices which are a generic driver which will work with different manufacturer's of a specific piece of hardware but the functionality and performance can have varying results some good some not so good.

You should always install the hardware manufacturer's drivers as they are written specifically to help windows communicate with your hardware and have any customisations for that hardware that a generic driver does not have.

This could be a problem especially with chipset drivers which can result with unstable operation or issues.

I would advise downloading all your hardware drivers from the computer manufacturer's website if a branded pc or laptop.

If a custom build then from the motherboard manufacturer's website and vendor website for any add-on cards as i described in my last post.

Once this is done use your computer and see if the issues persist.

If they do follow sir georges post.

I take it the hdd you are using had no issues with the previous operating system when it was installed on that drive?

emiliobob15 · 25 Nov 2012

I checked the startup programs. There are only 2 of them: my antivirus and another one (a driver checking software) which I disabled. That's weird cuz on my old win xp there were a lot of startup programs. Many of which were by Windows.

My hdd never made problems on my old OS.

AddRAM · 25 Nov 2012

Who installed a driver checking program ?

Get rid of it.

After you install 7, everything has to sort itself out.

1) Install your Nvidia drivers from the site.
2) Run windows update until there are no updates left.
3) Install MSE and Malwarebytes.
4) Defrag 2 to 3 times, run disk cleanup all the while.
5) Install IE 10, it seems fast.
6) Install your programs
7) Defrag 2 to 3 more times

Windows will fly.