Factory Reset - Still Non-responsive, lagging, and failed startup

[MWill2013]

From my "System Information" tab:


OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation

System Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
System Model HP Pavilion dm4 Notebook PC
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2410M CPU @ 2.30GHz, 2301 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Hewlett-Packard F.14, 11/16/2011
SMBIOS Version 2.7
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7601.17514"

Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 6.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 5.95 GB
Available Physical Memory 3.85 GB
Total Virtual Memory 11.9 GB
Available Virtual Memory 9.63 GB
Page File Space 5.95 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

I usually have more time to find a problem, but I've been studying constantly for the LSAT in two weeks. These computer issues are driving me insane. The problems originally started a few months back, but it gradually got worse over time. Within the past month though, is when it became the worst.

For the last 3 weeks, anytime I started my computer up it would give the "No Boot Disk" error, but once I hit any key..it went away. I was thinking my hard drive was failing, or something of the sort, but once I did the latest Factory Reset -- that warning went away.

A few forums said it could be the SMART drive, but then again, I'm not sure. I would say that my video and audio has been acting up, as well. My computer is entirely too new/fresh to act the way it does, last night I could not even play YouTube videos. Awkward.

I've done:

Several Factory Resets within the past 3 months, the first 2 weren't even successful. This past time [4 days ago] was 'successful,' but it is still not acting like I believe it should. I've done a hard reset and what not, still not the same.

I've ran Norton test, updated all of my drivers, hard drive test passed multiple times, memory test passed multiple times. Sometimes on start-up, I receive the black screen. I received the blue screen one time last week (prior to the latest reset). Everything seems to pass on my computer, it just does not work correctly. I need some help.

 

[gregrocker]

HP has the worst load in the industry of preinstalled sponsors' crapware and useless duplicate utilties which have better versions built into Win7. That's why most tech enthusiasts immediately Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to get and maintain a perfect install of only the OS.

In your case I'd make my Recovery Disks first, then wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command to make sure no conflicting code remains in the boot sector, before proceeding with the reinstall.

You can also read the SPecial Note to HP Owners at the end to test if you have the Minimal Recovery option onboard your HP which is very close to a Clean Reinstall.

If you're not able to do this right now then at least Clean Up Factory Bloatware which will regain performance lost to the bloatware.

 

[MWill2013]

I will definitely give that a shot tomorrow. For the first time in a few days, I had not received the "Insert boot disk" prompt/black screen until tonight. Right before that, I downloaded some Windows/Microsoft updates and then it automatically restarted. During the restart, it gave me the boot disk error. Crazy how that happened?

 

[gregrocker]

Have you run Disk Check? Then install CrystalDiskInfo - Software to read the SMART status from desktop.

Also a few passes with Startup Repair.

Followed by SFC -SCANNOW Command .

Then if you're motivated to continue work these other Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 .

However I would want a perfect baseline install on a wiped HD to know everything is good with the OS.

 

[MWill2013]

I have already successfully completed the disk check, SFC, and all of that. As far as downloading the clean install disk for my system..is that the "English x64: X17-58997.iso" version, I assume?

Once I download that and burn it to the disk, I just use that for a factory reset -- correct? I don't really need to save any files, considering I'm trying not to do much on my computer..that way I will not lose anything. I can just put the installation kit on my External HD and a disk for back up purposes.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you read Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7?

It couldn't be more specfiic about how to get a perfect reinstall of factory OEM.

Yes you need to back up your files as they will be overwritten by the reinstall.

Do you understand the difference between the Clean Reinstall of just the OS, and HP Factory Recovery which reinstalls all of the crapware and duplicate utilties that throttle Win7?

 

[MWill2013]

Yes, I did read the guide..I was asking because when I tried to burn the image onto a disk, it said that the image copy is not a valid form/file. 2.00gb of nothing, basically. So I was trying to make sure I was selecting the correct copy.

 

[gregrocker]

Then you'll need to start over with Step 1 to download your licensed version in the same bit rate as you have now, then follow Step 2 to burn it to DVD, or use ImgBurn at 4x speed.

 

[MWill2013]

Hello, I've completed the first part you stated about "disk part clean all" and then the reinstallation of Windows 7. With this being said, my computer seems to be running pretty bad since all of that.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you follow the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7? Were there any steps that you had problems with, or didn't complete?

So what are the exact performance problems?

Work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.

 

[MWill2013]

I followed them to the very letter. Every single step. No problems throughout the installation or running any of the test.

Performance issues: Programs are still non-responsive, I cannot stay on something long before it starts freezing up. Internet, any other program...even tried paint. I haven't used it much today because it has gotten so bad. Sometimes the screen will completely freeze up and I can't do anything, other times, I can continue to type and the words will eventually show up. The start menu would appear then not go away for awhile. If I click on something, it would stay there for a bit.

Other issues: The mouse will randomly start moving around and there's nothing I can do. It isn't necessarily clicking on anything, like a virus, but I have no control over it. It'll disappear then reappear, then just go insane. Typing this around 60 wpm just took over 13 minutes because of freezing and lag issues.

 

[gregrocker]

What programs have you reinstalled?

Have you limited your msconfig>Startup list to only the AV and gadgets/stickies/Skydrive if you use them?

Run the hardware tests in Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 now
then work through the other steps.

 

[MWill2013]

No programs other than the updated drivers for Internet and simple things through Windows updates. I will work through the addition steps, but it just isn't working all that great so far. Yes, I did the startup stuff also.

 

[gregrocker]

Next test your RAM - Test with Memtest86+ for 5-6 passes or overnight, and HD with maker's HD Diagnostic and Disk Check .

 

[MWill2013]

All of the test above came back with a pass, no errors -- etc. Also, I cleaned out the inside of my computer two weeks ago, so I know it isn't a cleaning issue.

I'm going through and checking event errors, but this clearly takes some time because I am insanely busy. If you have any other suggestions, let me know. Thank you.

 

[gregrocker]

Keep us post on the results of Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7
as there may be additional steps based on your feedback.

 

[MWill2013]

I have followed all of the steps, I seem to be getting a lot of random errors but nothing that crazy. I googled them and it seems fine, I installed "core temp" to test the fans, but I am not sure what is good and what is bad -- as far as my computer is concerned. Maybe it is just an internal problem with hard ware, possibly the fan. I just cannot tell exactly what it is anymore.