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
    2012-01-06T05:43:38+00:00

    Gateway won't support me since the computer was 1 1/2 years old.  That's why I bought a different brand this time.  Microsoft created a boot disk for Windows 7 64 bit in an attempt to help me, (but never called me back).  That's the only Windows boot disk I have.  But I do have the product key from the sticker on the side of my old computer.  Will the boot disk Microsoft downloaded for me work with the product code on my Gateway? 

    I've learned and created a repair disk right away on my new computer.  I should put the new pc product key on that disk, I suppose.

    Thanks,

    Gwen

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-01-06T20:38:15+00:00

    You can download the Windows 7 SP1 iso here:

    http://techdows.com/2011/07/download-windows-7-integrated-with-sp1-iso-official-direct-download-links.html

    You should be able to activate it with your valid Windows Product ID from the sticker on your PC using automated phone activation.

    Jerry

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-01-13T06:09:32+00:00

    Rob,

    You sent a long reply with good information on Jan 1st about data recovery on my hard drive and restore/repair procedures, but it was for Vista.  Can you please resend the reply for Windows 7?

    I have a hard drive enclosure that I might try to use while the hard drive is still in the computer (the side panel is off and I will plug in the cable of the external enclosure.  It didn't work at first, so I have to see if there is a small on/off switch that I'm missing or if I have to swap the jumper pins on the hard drive.  I thought that was the easiest way to get the data back.

    If I do try a Windows reinstall, what is the choice to make that will retain my data somewhere?  There were some things I wasn't able to get back.

    Thanks in advance,

    Gwen

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