Solid hdd light, disk 100% highest active time, very slow

[pirates712]

This is on an HP HDX16 1370us laptop

About 8 months ago I kept getting BSOD's and several programs indicated that my hard drive had failed. I replaced the hard drive, but was unable to reinstall windows due to this hard drive light issue which I will describe below. I used linux for the past 8 months since it worked fine with no problems, but I am tired of it and want to go back to windows.

Right now I'm trying to get a fresh install working properly. The installation was a normal speed about until it went to load the desktop for the first time, although in the past it has started freezing during the installation process. Basically here are the symptoms:

- On boot, the hdd activity will be normal until it gets to the end of the windows logo with the black background, about then the hdd light comes on solid
-I've only been able to boot into windows normally once, and that was on initial installation.
- In safe mode it was still very slow, like right clicking on the taskbar and opening task manager, then waiting 5-10 minutes for it to load.
- If I boot into the recovery manager and run chkdsk from command prompt, it has no problems accessing the hard drive normally.
- When I turn it on, it takes about half an hour to get to the login screen. So far it's been 50 minutes since boot and I still don't have a desktop. I did have welcome screen for a few minutes, now I have a black screen with the cursor. The cursor is not frozen.

I don't think it's a hardware problem since linux worked perfectly for months, and the hard drive was new. I installed the chipset driver from HP but have not been able to update the bios yet since I'm still waiting for it to reboot. Any help would be appreciated, and I'll try to respond as quickly as possible if you need any additional information.

Thanks!

 

[pirates712]

So of course I managed to fix the problem shortly after posting this. I had to boot into safe mode with command prompt and manually change the power settings to high performance. As soon as I did this it started working perfectly. Anyone know why?

 

[profdlp]

Sounds like something which was trying to load on startup was trying to pull an Alphonse and Gaston and wait for the power management stuff to kick in, with power management waiting for the startup item. Back and and and back and forth and...

If I had to guess I would say it might be something with the settings which try and dim the screen to save juice.

 

[pirates712]

Ok, the laptop works perfectly while plugged in, but if I try to run on battery the hdd light comes on solid and it won't start working properly until I've had it plugged in for about a minute. I've made sure the power settings are the same between the "plugged in" and "on battery" profiles (including the advanced power settings), but it seems like there must be some other group of settings that I'm not seeing. Any suggestions?

 

[profdlp]

A lot of manufacturers have their own power management program running on startup.

Try running Startup Inspector and then post a screenshot of what you've got loading at boot.

 

[pirates712]

Here you go:

 

[profdlp]

Try disabling them all by unchecking them, then see if the problem goes away. If it does, add them back in one at a time with a reboot between each one until the problem reoccurs. If it does, you'll know that the last one you re enabled is the culprit.

If it still has the same problem after disabling the whole works then we'll have to look elsewhere. What power settings (if any) are there in the BIOS?

 

[pirates712]

I don't think any of the startup items are the problem as the problem has existed before windows even finished installing (it was plugged in, but the "balanced" power plan was causing the issue). The only power options I see in the bios are "fan always on" and "enable processor c6 states" which I tried disabling to no avail.

 

[profdlp]

If you can get it fully booted, try temporarily disabling both the wireless and wired network connections and anything like bluetooth you may have. Do this in Device Manager. What I'm wondering is if Windows is taking forever and a day searching for available connections or devices of some sort which possibly aren't even there.

Are you going into the Advanced Power Options? There is a ton of stuff in there to adjust. When you switch between "Balanced", etc it just uses a template for all the little things you can adjust manually. It might be something in there.

 

[pirates712]

Yes after changing the power plan to high performance everything works perfectly fine. Wireless, bluetooth, everything. I did go into the advanced settings and made sure everything matched between "plugged in" and "on battery" (for the high performance plan which it is always on), but there's still something causing it to lock up.

 

[profdlp]

When you say "Wireless, bluetooth, everything", did that mean you tried disabling them and rebooting?

 

[pirates712]

I mean that with the laptop plugged in and the power plan set on "high performance", it works 100% as it should. I don't have a problem, for example, connecting to wireless networks.

 

[profdlp]

Fine. That's not what we're trying to troubleshoot.

What I'm wondering is if Windows is taking forever and a day searching for available connections or devices of some sort which possibly aren't even there.

If you are on battery and your computer is hanging because it's trying to connect to something that isn't there it could make you wait all day while it looks for it. If you disable these things and it suddenly boots promptly you will know where the problem is. If it doesn't help we have at least narrowed things down.

 

[pirates712]

I disabled the wifi, ethernet, and bluetooth, then rebooted with it plugged in. There is no change when the laptop is unplugged upon reaching the desktop. I didn't want to reboot it on battery because it would literally take 4-5 hours to boot.

 

[profdlp]

If it eliminated the problem it wouldn't take that long, would it?

 

[karlsnooks]

Pirates,

Install CCleaner:
CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

list of STARTUP PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Windows tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept Startup.txt as file name | SAVE button

list of SCHEDULED TASKS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Scheduled Tasks tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
enter Scheduled Tasks as File name | Save button

List of INSTALLED PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept install.txt as File name | Save button


UPLOAD the startup.txt file
UPLOAD the Scheduled Tasks.txt file
UPLOAD the install.txt file.

HOW TO UPLOAD
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

 

[EzioAuditore]

What's the status of hard disk S.M.A.R.T ?

 

[pirates712]

Files uploaded below.

How do I check the S.M.A.R.T.?

Also, I remember now the laptop originally had some hdd protection feature where it parked the hdd heads when dropped, and the hdd led would turn red. I remember downloading that software from hp at some point but I can't seem to find it now. Here's where I got all my drivers/software:

Software & Driver Downloads HP HDX X16-1370US Premium Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

 

[Ageeb]

While some people come at this from other angles (software, hardware) I'm going to pursue a different angle pirates712. I just need to rule out some things in my head, hang in there!

1) When you got the laptop did it have windows on it, and working properly?
2) Did it come with restore discs? please answer and if yes, see 3)
2b) Did you create them? please answer and if yes, see 3)
2c) How are you installing windows then?
3) Was there a point at which you reinstalled windows BEFORE linux was installed, and it was working properly? Say, just a general format or restore before the HDD death...

I could be off, but i'm trying to rule out bad install medium.

 

[gregrocker]

I would follow the steps in this tutorial to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which do not involve changing out any drivers given by Win7 installer and quickly updated via optional Windows Updates. Instead only supply those missing after all updates - Important and Optional - are completed.

First check SMART with CrystalDiskInfo - Software - Crystal Dew World. If probs indicated use the HD maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan. Then use DISKPART At PC Startup to wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command .

The only Disk tender software required for proper functioning will have a driver. Were there any missing drivers? Is this why you supplied the factory chipset? I do not see any software or driver for parking disk reader. I would update the BIOS with posted update.

I would not run AVG bloatware as we solve problems regularly by uninstalling it. Try Microsoft Security Essentials with the Win7 firewall. Turn everything AVG off in msconfig>Startup and msconfig>Services before running it's uninstaller.

There is no reason to run any Startup items in msconfig>Startup or >Services (after hiding MS Services) except your AV and gadgets/sidebar. Anything Google is pernicious spyware - use the stable Google search bar built into IE9 or Firefox which is safe.