Windows 7 Constant Hard Drive Activity - Computer Slow to Respond

Golden · 23 Apr 2013

I think you need to uninstall Kaspersky, and replace it with MSE to test whether Kaspersky is at fault here.

clw2613 · 23 Apr 2013

Golden said:

I think you need to uninstall Kaspersky, and replace it with MSE to test whether Kaspersky is at fault here.

Thx.

Kaspersky uninstall/reinstall is currently in progress. This was also suggested on the Kaspersky forum.

I don't know what MSE is.

Will post again after Kaspersky reinstall and updates are finished.

C.

clw2613 · 23 Apr 2013

Golden said:

I think you need to uninstall Kaspersky, and replace it with MSE to test whether Kaspersky is at fault here.

OK finished with Kaspersky uninstall/reinstall as requested. Results (boot times as reported by Soluto):
1. Reboot after Kaspersky uninstall -- boot time 6.33 minutes, original problem not evident
2. Reboot, Kaspersky still not on system: boot time 6.15 minutes ,original problem not evident
3. Reboot after Kaspersky install: boot time 7.23 minutes, original problem not evident
4. Reboot after Kaspersky update: boot time 7.38 minutes, original problem not evident[
5. Reboot after 2nd Kaspersky update (nothing to update): boot time 2.34 minutes, original problem returned

Not sure if anything can be inferred from these results because the exact same thing happened after Spybot was removed, namely, the original problem was not evident when long boot times were seen but returned when boot times went back to the 2+ minute range.

C.

pscowboy · 23 Apr 2013

I will suggest again: do a clean install, and start over. You will probably see a 45-50 second boot time. Look at post #23 for the correct iso to download and burn to dvd.

MSE is Microsoft Security Essentials. An efficient, small footprint AV. Recommended, and it's free.

clw2613 · 23 Apr 2013

pscowboy said:

I will suggest again: do a clean install, and start over. You will probably see a 45-50 second boot time. Look at post #23 for the correct iso to download and burn to dvd.

MSE is Microsoft Security Essentials. An efficient, small footprint AV. Recommended, and it's free.

Thx again - that option is certainly still on the table --- I just hate to think about having to reinstall everything!

C.

Faladu · 23 Apr 2013

Wipe out your pagefile settings too for a bit: no page file, I would not want you having multiple ones, and especially one on the same hard drive windows is on, unless unavoidable. (typical laptop scenario)
8000+ page file is unnecessary, I would min/max like 2048 later. Never letting Windows control it.

What happens with min/max same, the same sectors are set as that pagefile and it will never change (unless you change it) so it's best to have the HD defragged ahead of this so it's all contiguous sectors that get written/read saving wear and tear on the head from jumping around all over the place, of course if it's a SSD, you don't want to ever defrag those.

If you are totally at your wits end, I would last resort try Optimal settings in your BIOS (of course make note of what you are using now, before doing this) Good info to have on hand any way and pretty hard to have all memorized.

But that's after doing others suggestions also, I am a big wipe and drop fan myself, but I know what I am doing, but hate it now because I have 2 companies I have to email and get new codes for their programs every stinking time I wipe and drop.

clw2613 · 23 Apr 2013

pscowboy said:

You may not like this answer, but how about saving all your "data" and doing a clean install.

If you don't have an SP1 W7 disc, you can download your flavor from digitalrivercontent, burn it to dvd, and then proceed to do the install. There should be a COA sticker somewhere on your machine with a license key.

I know it's a hundred update hassle, and then the re-installation of all your programs. But that shouldn't be more than 4 hours or so. Look at how much time has been exhausted already to try and get you a solution to this problem that's really been annoying you for many days.

Paste one of the following into your browser:

Home Premium 32bit
msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/x17-58996.iso
Home Premium 64bit
msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/x17-58997.iso

Pro 32bit
msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/x17-59183.iso
Pro 64bit
msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/x17-59186.iso

Ultimate 32bit
msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/x17-59463.iso
Ultimate 64bit
msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/x17-59465.iso

Those links when pasted to the browser just result in a message saying "the webpage cannot be found".

C.

Golden · 24 Apr 2013

Try this instead:

Microsoft

pscowboy · 24 Apr 2013

Sorry for the typo. The x's should have been capitals.

I will edit those entries so they will all work.

clw2613 · 24 Apr 2013

pscowboy said:

Sorry for the typo. The x's should have been capitals.

I will edit those entries so they will all work.

Thx - got it! Still a couple of things to try on the list before jumping in to a clean Windows 7 install! Also have to shut the system down and move it out so I can try to find a license key.

C.