Solved Usually slow after startup, but not always. Reinstalled, swapped HDD.

[deltaproximus]

Sometimes when I start up, everything is completely slow to respond and stays slow. Running an i5 with 6GB of RAM. Had an SSD originally in the machine, but I assumed with the problem I had that my SSD was dying, so I switched to a brand new WD black 750GB HDD and did a fresh install of Windows 7, and I'm still having the problem. Ran checkdisk on both the SSD and the new HDD, did a memtest on my RAM and no errors. The kicker is it's only slow most of the time. Sometimes it responds like a new fresh install of windows and is super snappy, like I'd expect. When this happens, I can hibernate and everything stays snappy when I resume the session. If I ever shutdown or restart, 80% of the time when it starts up it goes back to being incredibly slow. Makes me afraid to shut down now! It doesn't seem to be software, since the reinstall didn't fix it. It's not the hard drive, as I've switched it out. If it was RAM, wouldn't the memtest have found something? I ordered new RAM anyway, and it's arriving later this week, but what else could it be?

The slowness starts with the windows logo on start up, or if I go to a boot screen (regular, safemode, etc). If I go into the safemode selection screen, it takes several seconds to register the arrow keys, and after choosing a mode the screen disappears in chunks from top to bottom over about 7 seconds before it moves on. When everything is operating normally, this screen acts typically. The BIOS menus never seem to be slow.

I also tested to see if it was the graphics card drivers by rolling back to an older driver version before I had the issue. This also did not resolve it.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Could be tied to the win-10 updates being sent out by M$
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...windows-10-upgrade-updates-windows-7-8-a.html

 

[deltaproximus]

Thanks for the reply. I decided to uninstall the KBs in the linked post as you suggested, but there was no improvement. The slowdowns happened on the reinstall prior to me installing any of the windows updates, so I wasn't hopeful to begin with.

I've re-checked my windows logs, and it appears my bluetooth card is registering an error each time it starts up slow, but no such error on the fast start ups. Since the bluetooth and wifi are on the same card, I might try replacing it as soon as I can find a replacement, but I don't see how this would cause the whole system to be slow (perhaps it's another symptom of the same problem instead?).

Nope, not the bluetooth adapter. Had a few startups where it was slow without bluetooth errors appearing in the logs.

 

[deltaproximus]

Additionally not having any problems running linux off a flash drive (debian wheezy). Going to take a hard look at device drivers now.

 

[GokAy]

Try loading defaults in BIOS (either first screen or exit menu).

 

[deltaproximus]

After loading defaults in the bios, I had an immediate shut down after the logo screen. Next attempt at booting up was slow again =/

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Use this,
http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...9-whats-your-memory-assessment-speed-2-a.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/294833-reboot-time-2-a.html

 

[deltaproximus]

This is the memory assessment speed on one of the rare good boots. Next post will have start up time and memory assessment on a slow boot (waiting on it right now to reboot).

 

[deltaproximus]

Apparently my RAM is six times faster on a bad boot...

 

[gregrocker]

Is this issue identical to the one which caused you to replace the SSD? Are you still running the SSD to compare? Is it plugged in?

Please post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image

Are you thoroughly patched, meaning all Important and Optional Updates are installed except for Windows 10 adware? Did you use the drivers supplied by Win7 via installer and Updates first before forcing any others?

Have you tried swapping the RAM sticks around, checking for debris in the slots to blow out?

Start working through the Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7
which goes over the install thoroughly and almost always uncovers problems.

 

[deltaproximus]

Yes, it's the identical issue I was having on the SSD. I haven't formatted the SSD yet, so I'll pop it back in and run the same tests. It wasn't plugged in. I'll run through the troubleshooting steps too and report back. Here's the disk management screen shot:

 

[gregrocker]

Most likely with the RAM or install then.

Did you run the bootable Linux stick without the hard drive plugged in? This can absolve or implicate the install since issue replicates with both hard drives.

Can you remove the Bluetooth altogether to test for awhile?

 

[deltaproximus]

The hard drive was plugged in when I was using the linux stick, yes. I do have new ram coming in tomorrow, which will hopefully fix the problem. Can't find a manufacturer diagnostic tool for my SSD, it's an old sandisk one and is listed as EOL. Running the manufacturer diagnostics on the HDD now using another PC.

Strangely with the SSD back in, instead of being fast on approximately 1 out 5 reboots, it's only being slow on 1 out of 5 reboots, but the winsat mem test had similar results on the slow boot up.

I'll test without the bluetooth card if it's not working with the new RAM tomorrow.

 

[deltaproximus]

Looks like it was the bluetooth+wifi combo card. I may be just getting lucky with several good restarts in a row, but since I swapped it for a wifi only card (the one original to the laptop) I haven't had a slow boot up. The replacement ram I bought is a 2 GB upgrade, so I'm not upset I got it, but just replacing the ram didn't fix anything. Too bad the BT+wifi card didn't crap out during the 30 day return period =/ Thank you to everyone that responded and tried to help! I've got a few new things in my tool belt for future problems now, which I'm sure will come in handy the next time I have computer trouble!

 

[gregrocker]

We see a lot of bluetooth issues here. So when it comes up....