PC very slow after installing windows 7?

[emiliobob15]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[TheCyberMan]

my antivirus and another one (a driver checking software)

Using driver checking programs are usually more trouble than they are worth you should always use the computer or vendor manufacturer's websites for downloading and installing your hardware drivers.

You should gather the drivers needed before installation of new operating system so you are ready to install the all the hardware drivers even before installation of anti-virus and any firewall software and connecting to the internet.

 

[indianacarnie]

And at some point it would be nice if you added your system spec.'s. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html
Hard to give pertinent advice playing in the dark.

 

[gregrocker]

Make sure your install came close to following the Best Practices for Win7 install as written in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

These include using the drivers provided by the installer, then quickly updated by optional Windows Updates, waiting until all Updates are finished before importing any drivers missing in Device manager from the Downloads webpage for the PC or device. This is not XP and drivers are handled differently in Win7 which is the first driver-complete OS.

If you're still experiencing slowness or hangs make sure you have the minimum hardware requirements met, then work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

 

[emiliobob15]

I installed the driver checking software so i can check which drivers i am missing.
I installed the nvidia and foxconn drivers from the website. There are still updates to be done. I'll do all these things and tell you if it improves.

 

[gregrocker]

Check drivers in Device Manager, not using a driver-finder program.

 

[whyareallthe]

3GB thats unsual number for installed Ram. You have not said what version im assuming 32 Bit otherwise you would mention it.

The official figure from MS is GB Minimum but there figures are always on the tad conservative, its best to run it on the maximum it will utilize (32 Bit) so you probably have two slots replace the GB stick with a 2 GB its best to take the battery out first if its a Laptop. Before that try a def rag with defraggler including the option for def-ragging the page (swap) . Check all the drivers are there, and there are no conflicts in device manager.

It may be the graphics which are causing the overhead try switching the desktop to "classic view" it then looks much like a /windows XP desktop

Last but not least go Run/msconfig check all the non ms services and programs that are starting with windows disable any Google services.

If you go into "processes" in task manager you can see if there are any particular programs or services that are hogging your resources.

Iv'e installed 7 3 times now and it can be a bit unstable to begin with but for some reason settles down once its been configured correctly. any major changes be sure to restart rather than go in "sleep Mode" if the Defrag takes a long time leave it when you go out and set it to shut down when finished . You will need to temporarily change your power scheme to always on (except for the monitor display) Dont forget to put it back again.

 

[emiliobob15]

I have 6 gb of ram and it is a 64-bit windows 7. I unchecked everything apart from my nod32 from the startup programs. I defragged disc C. I installed all the windows updates and drivers. My pc is still slow as hell. I am really desperate, don't know what more to do. I'll try to switch to classical view as you said.
My pc never gave problem with my old 32bit win xp. It was really fast. I hope it is the hardware so I can change something.

 

[gregrocker]

Have you done the hardware tests in Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7?

If you'd report back results of the steps then we may have other ideas.

 

[TheCyberMan]

As gregrocker has said have you done all the steps including installing all hardware drivers but not using the driver checker software but from the computer and vendor websites.

Please update us so we can help you further.