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
    2011-12-30T17:12:09+00:00

    Hi there,

    I restarted and after the main Gateway screen comes up, I waited for the second screen.  Please keep in mind that some writing is off to the left of my screen so a letter or two can't be read.

    I paused the screen on start up and the first screen said:

    MicronTechnology Corp PC1E-to-SATAII/IDE RAID Controller BIOS V1.06.65

    Copyright (C) 2005 Jmicron Technology

    Detect drives done, no any drive found

    The second start up screen said:

    __el(R) Management Engine BIOS Extension V 6.0.3.0019

    Copyright (C) 2003-09 Intel Corporation. All RIghts Reserved

    ___el(R) ME Firmware version 6.0.0.1184

    Press <CTRL-P> to enter Intel(R) ME Setup

    ___ are for the letters I can't see on the screen.  I guess the ___ before the el is Int for Intel on this screen.  It just can't be seen.

    After this screen is when the slowdown happens.

    Thanks so much

    In case this helps, this is some more information from CMOS setup screen

    System information (the first option when I press Del on startup) is:

    System BIOS Version is P01-A0

    BIOS Release Date 11/17/209

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-12-30T17:43:29+00:00

    (Only for Windows XP users with WD Advanced Format Drives)

    These are the Western Digital options for my hard drive (model WDC WD10EADS-22M2B0)

    I assume it's the Data Lifeguard for Windows that I need, but it's a zipped .EXE.  How can I burn it as an bootable disk so I can avoid the long wait to get into Windows?  I am used to using ImgBurn for .ISO files.

    Thanks in advance!

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-12-30T17:53:38+00:00

    You need this one..

    Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS (CD)

    If it opens as an exe file, run it and it should automatically create the CD assuming that you have a blanl CD in the drive..

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-12-30T18:35:36+00:00

    This "Detect drives done, no any drive found" led me here:

    http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1004&message=35078921

    As a number of persons posting in the link commented the error can probably be safely ignored.

    For the BIOS beep codes found this:

    http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/cs-010249.htm

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