Slow computer when opening applications, Bad HDD?

Hey,

My Windows 7 SP1 computer has recently started being very slow. Startup from the password screen takes 2 1/2 to load the desktop. General file management tasks, like viewing, copying, moving, and deleting files operate at normal speed. However, when I do something that Windows has to "look up" i.e, not cached, the entire computer slows to a crawl. The application does open, but I get a lot of 'Not Responding" messages in the title bar as I use the application. There is one external drive connected via USB 2.0. Page file is set to system managed.

Could this be my HDD going? I haven't checked the disk for errors yet, going to do that next.

Let me know your thoughts on this.

Thank you,

wws

koolkat77 said:

Hello wws,

Post a screenshot of your Hard Drive(s) using Crystal Disk Info software:

• CrystalDiskInfo - Software - Crystal Dew World

Run a Hard Drive test:

• SeaTools for DOS and Windows - How to Use

Run Disk Check on your hard disk for file system errors and bad sectors on it:

• Disk Check

Scan with Kaspersky TDSSKiller:

• Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller

ESET online scanner:

• Free Online Virus Scanner | ESET

Ok thanks. I will definitely try each of your suggestions. I did run TDSSKiller and Malwarebytes, both came back clean. I'll try the rest when I have access to the computer again (it's my grandmother's)