Solved System gone really slow.

[Infinite]

My computer has suddenly gone really slow, for some reason, it can't handle more than one task at once or is very slow and choppy.

For example, I can't transfer files without it being slow. I have 8GB of Ram, but can only use 4GB as for some reason I can't get 64 Bit.

- ATI Radeon 6770 Graphics Card
- 2x450GB Hard Drives
- 8GB RAM (4 Available).

I don't know what's wrong, it never used to do this.

I've tried an Malwarebytes and MSE scan - both came empty.

 

[bassfisher6522]

Have you tried running your malware/spyware software in safemode w/networking, doing full scans.

Have you defraged your hard drive?

 

[bassfisher6522]

Also try TDSSKiller

Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller

 

[Anthony]

Have a look in your start up programs list, using msconfig

 

[gregrocker]

Work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 starting with a Clean Boot and hardware tests.

 

[willythecat]

Am l going mad or just talking rubbish - I'll stand to be corrected.
If you have an X86 system then you cannot use over 4gb ram so the extra 4gb is useless!
You need to install an X64 system to utilise the 8gb.

 

[gregrocker]

Good catch, Willy.

Yeah I would take the opportunity to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 64 bit to both start fresh with a perfect reinstall and utilize all 8gb RAM.

Download the 64 bit installer for your licensed version and burn to DVD or write to flash stick from Step 1 and 2 above.

 

[wanchoo]

From your specs it appears that you are deploying 32-bit OS. So obviously you are unable to use more than 4 gigs of RAM.

If you don't want to invest in 64-bit OS then continue using the existing 32-bit as 4 gigs of RAM is more than sufficient, but in any case do a clean install of Windows 7 as Greg has suggested. It seems you are not keeping backed up Images of the System otherwise you would have restored an Image by now. I strongly recommend that this time round create Images as you go along.

Best of luck.

 

[Infinite]

Have you tried running your malware/spyware software in safemode w/networking, doing full scans.

Have you defraged your hard drive?

I defragged with Defragger and ran MSE/MBAM scans twice in normal mode (not tried safemode yet).

Also try TDSSKiller

Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller

No threats found.

Have a look in your start up programs list, using msconfig

Already disabled and deleted everything except my anti-virus via CCleaner.

Am l going mad or just talking rubbish - I'll stand to be corrected.
If you have an X86 system then you cannot use over 4gb ram so the extra 4gb is useless!
You need to install an X64 system to utilise the 8gb.

Well, I've tried this previously without a solution:
http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/205152-cant-install-windows-7-ultimate-x64.html

Good catch, Willy.

Yeah I would take the opportunity to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 64 bit to both start fresh with a perfect reinstall and utilize all 8gb RAM.

Download the 64 bit installer for your licensed version and burn to DVD or write to flash stick from Step 1 and 2 above.

I would really love to but I can not.

From your specs it appears that you are deploying 32-bit OS. So obviously you are unable to use more than 4 gigs of RAM.

If you don't want to invest in 64-bit OS then continue using the existing 32-bit as 4 gigs of RAM is more than sufficient, but in any case do a clean install of Windows 7 as Greg has suggested. It seems you are not keeping backed up Images of the System otherwise you would have restored an Image by now. I strongly recommend that this time round create Images as you go along.

Best of luck.

Even after a fresh restore it was slow.

But the problem seems to have cleared up anyhow.

 

[gregrocker]

The issue with 64 bit install now appears to be entirely the installer. Why not try writing it to flash stick from Steps 1 and 2 in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to eliminate that possibility now?

Enter BIOS setup to see if EFI Boot Disk is enabled. If not then it should install. Set HD to boot first, trigger stick with one-time BIOS Boot menu key.

 

[Infinite]

The issue with 64 bit install now appears to be entirely the installer. Why not try writing it to flash stick from Steps 1 and 2 in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to eliminate that possibility now?

Enter BIOS setup to see if EFI Boot Disk is enabled. If not then it should install. Set HD to boot first, trigger stick with one-time BIOS Boot menu key.

I only have one USB drive with files on it, will it still work, if I formatted it? Or does it need to be fresh.

And after the install is done, is it possible to revert it so I can continue using it for storage?

 

[tal93]

Am l going mad or just talking rubbish - I'll stand to be corrected.
If you have an X86 system then you cannot use over 4gb ram so the extra 4gb is useless!
You need to install an X64 system to utilise the 8gb.

Actually you can patch the kernel to address up to 64GB on x86, like on server 2003

 

[F5ing]

Am l going mad or just talking rubbish - I'll stand to be corrected.
If you have an X86 system then you cannot use over 4gb ram so the extra 4gb is useless!
You need to install an X64 system to utilise the 8gb.

I think the OP knows that; he mentions it in the OP.

But you're not going mad, others missed it as well (including me)!

 

[F5ing]

Am l going mad or just talking rubbish - I'll stand to be corrected.
If you have an X86 system then you cannot use over 4gb ram so the extra 4gb is useless!
You need to install an X64 system to utilise the 8gb.

Actually you can patch the kernel to address up to 64GB on x86, like on server 2003

Is this the type of thing you're referring to?

http://www.***********/windows-7-tipps/32-bit-ram-barrier.html?lang=EN

If the OP's machine is capable of handling a 64-bit OS wouldn't it be better to work through the issues he's having in order to actually get it installed properly?

(Not sure why that link isn't posting properly -- apparently someone doesn't like it?)

 

[gregrocker]

The issue with 64 bit install now appears to be entirely the installer. Why not try writing it to flash stick from Steps 1 and 2 in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to eliminate that possibility now?

Enter BIOS setup to see if EFI Boot Disk is enabled. If not then it should install. Set HD to boot first, trigger stick with one-time BIOS Boot menu key.

I only have one USB drive with files on it, will it still work, if I formatted it? Or does it need to be fresh.

And after the install is done, is it possible to revert it so I can continue using it for storage?

Yes, you'll need to move the files off, format it using tool in Step 2 of tutorial writing ISO from STep 1, then try booting it.

If it works and you want to keep it formatted as an installer, just leave the seven installation folders in root and add other files as you wish.

 

[Infinite]

The issue with 64 bit install now appears to be entirely the installer. Why not try writing it to flash stick from Steps 1 and 2 in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to eliminate that possibility now?

Enter BIOS setup to see if EFI Boot Disk is enabled. If not then it should install. Set HD to boot first, trigger stick with one-time BIOS Boot menu key.

I only have one USB drive with files on it, will it still work, if I formatted it? Or does it need to be fresh.

And after the install is done, is it possible to revert it so I can continue using it for storage?

Yes, you'll need to move the files off, format it using tool in Step 2 of tutorial writing ISO from STep 1, then try booting it.

If it works and you want to keep it formatted as an installer, just leave the seven installation folders in root and add other files as you wish.

As I have 2 drives and 1 USB stick. Could I do this?

Format the USB Stick as the installer.
Put the internet driver on my Backup Drive.

Install 64 Bit on the non-backup drive.

Use the Backup Drive to install the internet driver.

Then after that, format the USB Drive to store content.

 

[gregrocker]

You can put the network driver onto the same stick you have formatted as installer from Steps 1 and 2 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. It can co-exist with your other files as long as you don't touch the seven installation folders it places in the root.

It may start up connected anyway. You'll know if it asks for network info at the end of install. If not just rightclck it's .exe. to run as Admin. the network driver installer after you get to desktop.

 

[Infinite]

OK, got 64 Bit Installed, but now I have another problem:
http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/248018-system-partition-wrong-disk.html#post2059923

 

[F5ing]

Well, there are ways to fix that. But it may be easier for you to start over if you can disable the wrong drive in your BIOS, do the install so it places everything properly, then re-enable that HD in your BIOS for normal use.

 

[gregrocker]

Which is why it says clearly in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to unplug all other HD's during install.

8. Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,