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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
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
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.
Yes, change the SATA Mode to Native IDE. Use the Save and exit option to exit CMOS setup. When you exit CMOS setup, the PC will try to reboot.
I would try the regular boot, not Safe Mode.
Jerry
Jerry,
When I got into the CMOS Setup Utility (by pressing Del at the Gateway screen) I didn't see an Advanced submenu, but this is the menu:
CMOS Setup Utility
The sub options led me to the only one that seems right (Integrated Peripherals) but I want to run it by you to be sure. One of the submenu options is Integrated Peripherals and the first few are
Onboard SATA Controller (Enabled/Disabled) was set to Enabled
Onboard SATA Mode [AHCI] (Can be changed to Native IDE or RAID or leave at AHCI)
Onboard eSATA Controller (Enabled/Disabled
I imagine that I change the Onboard SATA Mode from AHCI to Native IDE and choose Save and Exit? Does it then just attempt a boot? Should I try the many hours regular boot or the fewer hours Safe mode boot?
Thanks!
It's still at the Loading Windows files black screen with the last file being CLASSPNP.SYS.
I'll look at the screen again. It seems like there were two options listed. I'll try the delete key. Any harm at this point in just pressing and holding the power button to restart so I don't have to wait for it to completely start in safe mode?
