Laptop HD Damaged?

EchoSex · 08-02-2006, 07:21 PM

I REALLY don't want to think of this as a hard ware problem, but....

Until recently, my laptop has been a joy to use for media. I have all my audio, video, image and text files transfered over from my desktop, so I can enjoy my media anywhere.

Well, lately there's been a problem... My laptop has become very, VERY slow. Bootup and shutdown times are something I now rue, as they take FOREVER. Starting programs takes FOREVER, and when I try to play songs, they seem like they're skipping.. But I have found they're actually pausing as the whole computer pauses momentarily like a skip.. I found it does this when the computer is reading the hard drive, as the HD LED lights up every time it pause-skips. This happens for all media files.

Now, I've done spybot checks and uncovered nothing. I've done a virus scan.. Nadda. I used CrapCleaner and cleaned up my uneeded files and cleaned my registry... I can't put my finger on what the problem is.. It's very irritating. My laptop was rather expensive and a gift, and I adore/need it. If it can't run normally again, I'm going to have some serious problems down the road.

Anyone think they can help? PS - I REALLY want to avoid buying a new HD and copy of Windows XP. I simply don't have the money.

Changeling · 08-03-2006, 05:31 AM

Sounds like another application is stealing processor time.

With the machine at idle (no applications running) press Ctrl+alt+del to bring up task manager. Check the bottom line of the task manager window look for the "CPU Usage" As I type this mine reads less than 10% with internet exporer outlook and all the usual background applications running. I suspect yours will be a lot higher.

Now go to the Processes tab and look down the list to see which of processes is using the CPU the most. That file is the culprit. You could stop that process but without knowing what it is I wouldn't recomment stopping it.

Use the internet to look up what that process is and what the file does.
then post back here.

In the mean time you could open internet explorer click tools/internet options/programes/manage addons and and stop any processes you don't like the look of.

To summaise, I think that you have a rouge application running which has stalled or cannot complete its task you need to isolate this and stop it. Depending what the application or process is decides what to do next, fix it or kill it!

**BrianTwigley** · 08-03-2006, 05:51 AM

Quote:

To summaise, I think that you have a rouge application running which has stalled or cannot complete its task you need to isolate this and stop it. Depending what the application or process is decides what to do next, fix it or kill it!

Thats Right. You could have a program Hogging your CPU and Memory. If you go to the Processes tab in task manager and press the mem usage button twice, you'll see what is taking up the most memory.

Changeling · 08-03-2006, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianTwigley

mem usage button

Not in XP Home Brian

**BrianTwigley** · 08-03-2006, 06:09 AM

You mean you dont have that little button (see attatchment)

EchoSex · 08-03-2006, 06:39 AM

I've kept a close eye on my resources, and actually I couldn't find a single thing.

At first, I thought it was the "SYSTEM IDLE PROCESS," but then I remember hearing that it was actually there to list your remaining resources.

My CPU never goes about 40% when playing audio and such, so I know it's not that (besides, the latop is loaded rather well with a high speed Sempron).

This is what led me to beleive it's my hard drive, as it was the reading of the hard drive that caused the pauses.

Changeling · 08-03-2006, 07:14 AM

Ahh Brian you mean the column heading I see what you mean.

Echosex,

As the media track is loaded off the hard drive it gets buffered in memory.
The skipping you describe could be a memory buffering issue caused by lack of resources available to Memory/CPU functionality.

If a stalled application is tying up CPU memory resorces then everything will slow down not least memory paging and thus harddrive access.

**BrianTwigley** · 08-03-2006, 07:20 AM

Lol, I should have put that, Sorry

whardman · 08-03-2006, 07:57 AM

I don't think memory is an issue (at least not with 2GB, unless somethings corrupted). Download HD Tach and see what your 'scores' are.

http://www.simplisoftware.com/Public...request=HdTach

Sequential Read Peak = MB/s
Burst Speed = MB/s
Average Read = MB/s
CPU Utilization = %
Random Access = ms

Also include what type of HDD (IDE, SATA).

**hwm54112** · 08-03-2006, 05:02 PM

In device manager>ide controllers>primary ide channel>properties>advanced settings>make sure your transfer mode has not reverted to PIO mode

08-02-2006, 07:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
EchoSex Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 30 OS: Windows XP (Pro) My System	Laptop HD Damaged? I REALLY don't want to think of this as a hard ware problem, but.... Until recently, my laptop has been a joy to use for media. I have all my audio, video, image and text files transfered over from my desktop, so I can enjoy my media anywhere. Well, lately there's been a problem... My laptop has become very, VERY slow. Bootup and shutdown times are something I now rue, as they take FOREVER. Starting programs takes FOREVER, and when I try to play songs, they seem like they're skipping.. But I have found they're actually pausing as the whole computer pauses momentarily like a skip.. I found it does this when the computer is reading the hard drive, as the HD LED lights up every time it pause-skips. This happens for all media files. Now, I've done spybot checks and uncovered nothing. I've done a virus scan.. Nadda. I used CrapCleaner and cleaned up my uneeded files and cleaned my registry... I can't put my finger on what the problem is.. It's very irritating. My laptop was rather expensive and a gift, and I adore/need it. If it can't run normally again, I'm going to have some serious problems down the road. Anyone think they can help? PS - I REALLY want to avoid buying a new HD and copy of Windows XP. I simply don't have the money. __________________ Keep the beat.

08-03-2006, 05:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Changeling Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 423 OS: XP, Waiting for Vista serivce pack 1 before I commit.	Sounds like another application is stealing processor time. With the machine at idle (no applications running) press Ctrl+alt+del to bring up task manager. Check the bottom line of the task manager window look for the "CPU Usage" As I type this mine reads less than 10% with internet exporer outlook and all the usual background applications running. I suspect yours will be a lot higher. Now go to the Processes tab and look down the list to see which of processes is using the CPU the most. That file is the culprit. You could stop that process but without knowing what it is I wouldn't recomment stopping it. Use the internet to look up what that process is and what the file does. then post back here. In the mean time you could open internet explorer click tools/internet options/programes/manage addons and and stop any processes you don't like the look of. To summaise, I think that you have a rouge application running which has stalled or cannot complete its task you need to isolate this and stop it. Depending what the application or process is decides what to do next, fix it or kill it! __________________ If it ain't broke don't fix it!

08-03-2006, 06:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
EchoSex Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 30 OS: Windows XP (Pro) My System	I've kept a close eye on my resources, and actually I couldn't find a single thing. At first, I thought it was the "SYSTEM IDLE PROCESS," but then I remember hearing that it was actually there to list your remaining resources. My CPU never goes about 40% when playing audio and such, so I know it's not that (besides, the latop is loaded rather well with a high speed Sempron). This is what led me to beleive it's my hard drive, as it was the reading of the hard drive that caused the pauses. __________________ Keep the beat.

08-03-2006, 07:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
Changeling Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 423 OS: XP, Waiting for Vista serivce pack 1 before I commit.	Ahh Brian you mean the column heading I see what you mean. Echosex, As the media track is loaded off the hard drive it gets buffered in memory. The skipping you describe could be a memory buffering issue caused by lack of resources available to Memory/CPU functionality. If a stalled application is tying up CPU memory resorces then everything will slow down not least memory paging and thus harddrive access. __________________ If it ain't broke don't fix it!

08-03-2006, 07:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
BrianTwigley Tech Guy/Gentoo User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Shetland, Scotland, UK Posts: 655 OS: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 My System	Lol, I should have put that, Sorry __________________ Being British is about driving in a German car to an Irish pub for a Belgian beer, then traveling home, grabbing an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab on the way, to sit on Swedish furniture and watch American shows on a Japanese TV. ------------------------------------------------------ If I've helped you, please Donate

08-03-2006, 07:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
whardman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 617 OS: Windows XP My System	I don't think memory is an issue (at least not with 2GB, unless somethings corrupted). Download HD Tach and see what your 'scores' are. http://www.simplisoftware.com/Public...request=HdTach Sequential Read Peak = MB/s Burst Speed = MB/s Average Read = MB/s CPU Utilization = % Random Access = ms Also include what type of HDD (IDE, SATA).

08-03-2006, 05:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
hwm54112 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,233 OS: WINXP	In device manager>ide controllers>primary ide channel>properties>advanced settings>make sure your transfer mode has not reverted to PIO mode