Windows 7 desktop computer extremely slow

Anonymous
2011-12-22T20:30:58+00:00

I have a problem with my Gateway DX4831-01e desktop computer (1 1/2 years old) which is running Windows 7. 

Last week, something happened (I don't know if it was an upgrade or a virus) but Windows 7 (64) started running extremely sluggish.  I restarted and it was extremely slow on start up.  I can get into Safe mode but it takes a couple of hours to load all.  I can still access my hard drive and files there and I can plug devices into my USB ports (to allow backups and to load files for running)

On start up it goes from the Gateway screen to the Bios screen and then starts acting slow.  Pressing F8 over and over gets me into Safe mode but it is very slow and during driver loading, it seems to hang up on the ClassPNP.sys file, but it eventually loads all(after an hour or so). 

 I have tried many things including running System restore and repair and running sfc /scannow (took overnight), removing AVG 2011 free (my virus scanner) and all of the folders that the AVG removal tool didn't remove, and deleting Temp files. 

One other strange thing I noticed is that in my Start up programs (I use selective start up) there were three checkboxes for starting up a Java update, and Adobe reader and Adobe acrobat.)  I removed all checkboxes but the system gets slow before I even get to the start up files, but it was strange and might point to the cause of the big problem.

 My questions are, what is happening between the Bios screen and the driver loading screen that would slow it down?  Could it be prefetch or start up file loading?  I don't think so because I haven't even gotten to the Safe mode choice screen before the slow down happens.   

Should I erase Prefetch or remove and reinstall the button cell battery to reset Bios?  Will it ask me for a password on restart that I know I don't have? 

Thanks in advance!

Gwen

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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Anonymous
2012-01-06T07:22:19+00:00

HI,

Gateway should have documentation on installing Windows on a new drive. And

they will sell the installation media cheap, if you need it, since you already own

Windows. Once you have the correct disk the installation is very straight forward.

The Repair Disk you made is not an installation disk.

Hope this helps.

Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle <- Mark Twain said it right.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-01-06T05:18:15+00:00

    Hi,

    You need to check with Gateway to be sure you have what you need to re-install

    Windows on the new drive. Make sure you have the product key.

    Set the BIOS to boot to the CD/DVD and put in the disk and boot to it. Follow the

    instructions. (That assumes you have the correct Gateway disk.)

    Gateway Drivers and Downloads

    http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/dlcenter.asp

    Gateway Support

    http://support.gateway.com/support/?cmpid=topnav

    Gateway Documents

    http://support.gateway.com/support/supinfo/index.asp?cmpid=topnav

    Hope this helps.

    Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle <- Mark Twain said it right.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-01-06T05:04:47+00:00

    Hi Rob,

    I might just try that.  If I just buy a cheap hard drive and a wireless card, I could have a nice backup workstation in another room.  Do you have a handy link on how to install Windows 7 from my startup disc if I just plug another blank hard drive in... or a quick link on how to start over with the bad drive (at least try) with a format and re-install from the start-up disc?

    Thanks again for all of your help!  I appreciate the fact that the volunteers are working so hard to help others on this site.

    Best regards.  Gwen

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-01-03T20:42:58+00:00

    Hi

    Those sector errors probably were indicative of a hard drive issue (or something affecting

    it) which caused all the issues.

    Try running startup repair again. And you might want to try a new hard drive intending to

    use the new drive in the new computer or as an external in a USB case if the drive does

    not work in the old machine.Formatting and re-install on the old one may also work though

    the drive would be very suspect.

    Most here are volunteers though Microsoft does have some engineers and other employees

    that help.

    We will try to help as we can.

    Hope this helps.

    Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle <- Mark Twain said it right.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-01-03T17:14:28+00:00

    Hi All,

    I did some more testing with Hirem's boot disk and although there were sector errors, nothing came up in the virus scans.  And now the computer won't boot up without going through restarts, etc...  I have to think it was a hard disk error to begin with.  I broke down and  went ahead and purchased a new computer and will install it this week.  I don't know if I'll attempt a format and reinstall of the old computer after gettting any more files off of it, or if I will just donate it for parts somewhere.

    Thank you to all of you who answered my questions in such a quick timeframe, especially throughout the holiday weeks.  I really appreciate it.

    Are you all volunteers or employees of Microsoft?  I just stumbled across this website when googling my questions and it has been very helpful.

    Best regards,

    Gwen

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