fast pc cannot multi-task while installing game etc

[fezbombmatt]

got a asus m4a785td-v evo mobo
amd phenom 560 BE Dual core
8gb of corsair RAM 4x2 stick
cheapish ATI graphics card HD 5670
good quality PSU - cant remember brand
7200rpm Hdd WD
running win7 64-bit

Had a few BSOD's in the past but all are gone since updated BIOS.

Now the PC is perfect now no problems just when installing soemthing could be either a game from disc or could be a program already on my HDD that im installing.

As long as the program is quite big (has alot of files to copy) the PC will not multitask it lags for ages which is strange. The PC is quite fast with everything else.

Normal?

 

[marsmimar]

Just my personal opinion and others may disagree.

Whenever I've installed a program there's usually a warning or recommendation to close any other open files, folders, apps, or programs. I believe the reason for the warning is because installing a new program is resource intensive. Temporary files are created and deleted throught the installation process; the hard drive and registry are accessed numerous times as data is written to them.

Trying to run other programs during the installation process could, in my opinion, damage or corrupt existing program data as well as prevent a clean install of the new program. And that's why I believe any multi-tasking is going to lag because the computer is trying to devote all of its resources to installing the new program.

 

[fezbombmatt]

I see, it does make alot of sense i know.

My knowledge isn't the best as i was just going by what experiences ive had in the past.

Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

You should be able to multi-task while running anything on Win7 except a BIOS update or installer that blanks out the screen. However most of those Wise installation installer-types are going away because Win7 is so flexible this way.

I sometimes do a dozen installs or more during setup without being forced to reboot, usually by a big batch of Updates. This no longer causes corruption or slowdowns on adequate hardware that I see. A program that can't tolerate it like Java or MSE will bark to warn you to back down.

I would start with the hardware tests working through the Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

 

[fezbombmatt]

Great i will look at that soon but before i do, from my specs that i provided do you think my system is being bottlenecked?

My CPU was quick when new but it was by far the best i could have chose. Considering replacing for a quad phenom soon.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes your hardware is more than adequate and should run WIn7 with no hangs or bogs ever providing you have a perfect install as spelled out in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Note that drivers are handled completely differently in Win7 than XP.

So I would consider that and start with the hardware tests in Troubleshooting tutorial no matter what you decide.

 

[fezbombmatt]

im quite an inpatient person so might go for reinstall of windows why not, doesnt take that long tbh.

Had a look at the troubleshoot but for a small issue like this that i can live with im not going to spend time fixing.

Thanks for the pointer though.

 

[fezbombmatt]

Just to clarify, it was my Hard Drive failing that was the issue. Thanks for the help

 

[gregrocker]

Were you able to anticipate this or repair it since I'd given you these steps to do that two months ago?

I would start with the hardware tests working through the Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

 

[OldMX]

A dual core processor and a single disk it not enough to multitask these days...

 

[fezbombmatt]

Were you able to anticipate this or repair it since I'd given you these steps to do that two months ago?

No I tried alot of the steps and ended up reinstalling Windows, but it pretty much stayed the same.

Only a month later I noticed unusual noise coming from the HDD. (Loud scratching noise as it was being used heavily and whirring as i tried a SMART test.

WD tested for me and sending free replacement.

 

[fezbombmatt]

A dual core processor and a single disk it not enough to multitask these days...

Now depends what you yourself call multitasking.

Music, Internet, Game and Downloads is all i need it for.

Before this happened it handled perfectly.

 

[fezbombmatt]

I thought i would reply to this thread instead of making a new one because of the title.

I have received my replacement, to which they have give me a re-certified Hard Disk.

Now all the problems that i originally brought up seem to be happening to this new disk.

TBH to me this doesnt seem right, this is the black Hard Drive from WD that is supposed to be for performance unlike the greens.

I have ran the WD's own HDD testing software on extended test and it passed with ease.

So why would my boot up after logon be so slow and unresponsive? Still?

Please would love some more advice thanks.

 

[fezbombmatt]

The one main question i have right now is.

If after logging onto windows, the PC will be currently slow (this is after a fresh installation and no additional programs installed except Norton 360 and the Windows updates etc) however the 'slowness' is only present when i can hear the new HDD scratching away quite loudly.

So doesnt this mean that my CPU is perfectly fine and my HDD is causing issues?

Also i know im using a black WD Drive however any other pc or laptop i have used is never as loud. (But then again its been a while since i built machine and im starting to forget what the 'black' is supposed to sound like)

 

[gregrocker]

I'd have WD Support help you test the HD to RMA it for another replacement. Maybe they'll get it right this time.

 

[fezbombmatt]

That's what i was thinking. I'l see what happens next time.

Thanks

 

[fezbombmatt]

My third replacement has come with unrepairable bad sectors according to WD lifeguard tool. Is this 'bad'?

 

[marsmimar]

It depends on how many sectors are bad. I've read that most hard drives have spare sectors set aside because having/getting bad sectors is common. It's possible for a brand new, straight from the factory, just out of the box hard drive to have bad sectors. I've also read that it's really not a problem if the number of bad sectors remains static (doesn't increase) over time. But if more sectors fail with use then that's a problem. From the WD Community forum, especially the link to videos in post # 6 by Joe_S:

What causes 'bad sectors' on a hard drive? - Western Digital Community

And from another forum devoted to hard drives:

How Many Sectors Can Fail Before Hard Drive Fails? What To Do? - [H]ard|Forum