System Running Really Slow

PheagleAdler · Mar 13, 2024

andrew129260 said:
1.) your completely fine, no disrespect at all.

2.) I have upgraded multiple computers from hdd to ssd. In my experience the boot time is a benefit, but the biggest benefit is launching programs and copying files, doing any actual work. The benefits are massive across the board for everything, especially on older machines with older processors. Not sure why you are not seeing the same.

3.) We will agree to disagree on that. And "run" is subjective. It all depends what your doing on the machine. Just running word and edge with couple tabs? Sure. Doing anything else? Most certainly not.

4.) And yes, this is very common in a forum, you ask questions and dont get answers from the OP. Happens all the time. Which I think is one of the reasons why us forum members get numb and stop asking questions like you mentioned, due to the constant happening of it......

I didn't really understand the question when it was asked at first. When it says the "DISK" is at 100% I mean in Task Manager. The hard drive has a lot of free space, 811 of 930 GB.

I bought this laptop as a supplement to my desktop system. Something I could sync with and use in different parts of the house or on vacations.

andrew129260 · Mar 13, 2024

PheagleAdler said:
I didn't really understand the question when it was asked at first. When it says the "DISK" is at 100% I mean in Task Manager. The hard drive has a lot of free space, 811 of 930 GB.

I bought this laptop as a supplement to my desktop system. Something I could sync with and use in different parts of the house or on vacations.

Alright that makes sense. Its a 5400rpm drive so it can get throttled easily. Are windows updates currently in progress? When you click on disk in task manager the names of the processes currently at the top using it what is it?

A supplement to a desktop is not what I am asking. What programs are you using on this machine? Do you mainly just web browser and email? Word docs? What are you actually using it for?

And again, please see post 3 and follow what glasskuter suggested. If you need help let us know.

allan · Mar 13, 2024

andrew129260 said:
1.) your completely fine, no disrespect at all. Believe me i get what you are saying and agree.

2.) I have upgraded multiple computers from hdd to ssd. In my experience the boot time is a benefit, but the biggest benefit is launching multiple programs and copying files, doing any actual work. The benefits are massive across the board for everything, especially on older machines with older processors. Not sure why you are not seeing the same.

3.) We will agree to disagree on that. And "run" is subjective. It all depends what your doing on the machine. Just running word and edge with couple tabs? Sure. Doing anything else? Most certainly not.

4.) And yes, this is very common in a forum, you ask questions and dont get answers from the OP. Happens all the time. Which I think is one of the reasons why us forum members get numb and stop asking questions like you mentioned, due to the constant happening of it......

SSD's - transfers to an ssd - yes, agreed. Handling large db's, etc - agreed. But for the common user - not much difference after boot - IMO

And not to sound defensive, but I've been around forums for many, MANY years. Admin on tweakxp.com (later tweaks.com) in the early 2000's, admin on ComputerHope, on staff of Bleeping Computer, etc. I get that posters respond to what they want to respond. I keep asking the important questions until it's clear they are being intentionally ignored, and then I quietly slip off into the night LOL.

PheagleAdler · Mar 13, 2024

andrew129260 said:
Alright that makes sense. Its a 5400rpm drive so it can get throttled easily. Are windows updates currently in progress? When you click on disk in task manager the thing currently at the top using it what is it?

A supplement to a desktop is not what I am asking. What programs are you using on this machine? Do you mainly just web browser and email? Work docs? What are you actually using it for?

And again, please see post 3 and follow what glasskuter suggested.

Chrome, Discord, Telegram, Microsoft Picture Manager, VCL Media, Windows Explorer, IrfanView, Steam (very infrequently)
I am working on going to post 3, just grabbing all my specs and adding them to my profile.

andrew129260 · Mar 13, 2024

PheagleAdler said:
Chrome, Discord, Telegram, Microsoft Picture Manager, VCL Media, Windows Explorer, IrfanView, Steam (very infrequently)
I am working on going to post 3, just grabbing all my specs and adding them to my profile.

Thank you. Sounds good. Please open task manager and click on disk, then take a screenshot of it and put it here.

Chrome, Discord, and steam combined can easily eat your 8GB of ram. Steam will murder your hard drive downloading games or updates. Especially if it's running at startup. A 5400rpm drive as your system drive will slow to a crawl downloading and installing windows updates alone, let alone downloading a steam game or game update.

With the programs you are using, I highly recommend a cheap $50 ssd. If you won't buy another machine, an ssd will make a big difference imho.

And then start working on post 3 thanks!

PheagleAdler · Mar 13, 2024

andrew129260 said:
Thank you. Sounds good. Please open task manager and click on disk, then take a screenshot of it and put it here.

Chrome, Discord, and steam combined can easily eat your 8GB of ram. Steam will murder your hard drive downloading games or updates. Especially if it's running at startup. A 5400rpm drive as your system drive will slow to a crawl downloading and installing windows updates alone, let alone downloading a steam game or game update.

With the programs you are using, I highly recommend a cheap $50 ssd. If you won't buy another machine, an ssd will make a big difference imho.

And then start working on post 3 thanks!

This is embarrassing. Seems my Print Screen is malfunctioning, not loading at all or popping up randomly after I go off to do something else. And the disk is not currently at a high percentage.

Flashorn · Mar 13, 2024

Hi!
Is this your notebook ?

https://support.hp.com/ca-en/product/details/hp-pavilion-15-cw1000-laptop-pc/model/26183459

If it is then, enter the serial # to see if it's still under warranty and then check to see if there
are any updates to the hardware and /or software available to you for this notebook.

It is always easier to have the full name of the notebook for us to determine any problems going
forward such as HP 15Z-cw100 or HP Elitebook 640 .... We can then see all the specs and use those
as baselines to have probable fixes or advice.

PheagleAdler · Mar 13, 2024

Flashorn said:
Hi!
Is this your notebook ?

https://support.hp.com/ca-en/product/details/hp-pavilion-15-cw1000-laptop-pc/model/26183459

If it is then, enter the serial # to see if it's still under warranty and then check to see if there
are any updates to the hardware and /or software available to you for this notebook.

It is always easier to have the full name of the notebook for us to determine any problems going
forward such as HP 15Z-cw100 or HP Elitebook 640 .... We can then see all the specs and use those
as baselines to have probable fixes or advice.

Found it. Sorry, I was going by what Walmart had the item listed as when I bought it in 2022.

https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-laptop-15z-gw000-touch-optional-1p5e1av-1?etr_pdp=true

andrew129260 · Mar 13, 2024

PheagleAdler said:
This is embarrassing. Seems my Print Screen is malfunctioning, not loading at all or popping up randomly after I go off to do something else. And the disk is not currently at a high percentage.

You can try the snipping tool. Search the start menu for it. Is it still slow when it's currently not high percentage?

Also, I would try downloading and running crystal disk info to check the health of the drive in addition to post 3.

Flashorn · Mar 13, 2024

Here is a video in case you decide to try your hand at replacing HDD and / or RAM.
I have to say that, it's allot easier today than it was 10 years ago and the tools are
minimal.

PheagleAdler · Apr 20, 2024

Flashorn said:
Here is a video in case you decide to try your hand at replacing HDD and / or RAM.
I have to say that, it's allot easier today than it was 10 years ago and the tools are
minimal.

Sorry, I know it's been a minute. I've been using my desktop mostly so it wasn't a pressing issue but I do want to get this upgraded because it seems like it's necessary to make it work faster.

I'm currently shopping for RAM and a drive. The RAM I'm sure will be plug and play, but how do I get the drive to work upon installation? A brand new drive won't have Windows or anything on it so I'm assuming the laptop at the very least won't boot into Windows.

glasskuter · Apr 20, 2024

PheagleAdler said:
but how do I get the drive to work upon installation?

Since you're dealing with a laptop, you can clone the drive by putting it into an external enclosure,
Or restore an image, OR clean install windows with the drive installed in the laptop.

Personally I do not clone. Others here do. My preference is to image my system using one of the preferred 3rd party imaging programs, install new drive, (remove all other disks), and restore the image to the new drive. Make sure you create recovery media with whatever imaging app you choose to use and that you are able to boot from that media.

I use Macrium which is paid. It lets me resize partitions during a restore (when going to a larger disk)as well as fix boot problems if a machine won't boot.
Others here image their systems with apps such as Aoemi, Easeus, or Haslo which are are free., Sorry, I have no experience with either of those apps but one should do the job.. Poll on Backup software

Most of these apps(but not all) will also clone if you decide to go that route.

Flashorn · Apr 20, 2024

Hi!
Yes , it has but life happens and these are only PCs right?
So, since you have a HP, it should have come with a Recovery Disk or the Recovery partition on the drive itself.
Use a USB flash drive to copy that Recovery Partition to the flash drive. This will have all of the drivers needed
to recover the original install from HP.

Now, if you haven't ordered the parts you want to upgrade, I would suggest you use the little app to make sure
you have the Correct version of memory for your notebook.
CPUID: Use the ZIP file. It is the portable version so, no install.

CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID

CPU-Z for Windows® x86/x64 is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system : Processor name and number, codename, process, package, cache levels. Mainboard and chipset. Memory type, size, timings, and module specifications (SPD). Real time...

www.cpuid.com

Once up, click on the Memory tab at the top to verify the Timings (clocks) of the memory already installed. This
should be you guide line for new memory.
If you click on the SPD tab next to it, it will tell you which brand the installed memory is. Try to stay as close to this
brand as possible.
You could also check out the Crucial site which will scan the hardware and recommend if any of their products would be
replacements or upgrades for your particular application. They have memory and SSDs available. BUT, they might not have
the parts for your notebook available. Just be aware of this.

DRAM, Solid State Drive (SSD) & Memory Upgrades

Find compatible DRAM memory and SSD upgrades for your PC or Laptop with our Crucial Advisor tool or Crucial System Scanner, with FREE US delivery!

www.crucial.com

I personally clone my drives. Macrium can still be had for free from MajorGeeks:

Download Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - MajorGeeks

With Macrium Reflect Free Edition you'll be able to easily make an accurate and reliable image of your HDD or individual partitions. Using this image you can restore the entire disk, partition or...

www.majorgeeks.com

Here is a video that I used in the past to clone my drives: This is for a Dell but, very similar to what you want to do

As for the drive, Crucial should tell you which one to get either SATA or NVMe.

PheagleAdler · Apr 21, 2024

glasskuter said:
Since you're dealing with a laptop, you can clone the drive by putting it into an external enclosure,
Or restore an image, OR clean install windows with the drive installed in the laptop.

Personally I do not clone. Others here do. My preference is to image my system using one of the preferred 3rd party imaging programs, install new drive, (remove all other disks), and restore the image to the new drive. Make sure you create recovery media with whatever imaging app you choose to use and that you are able to boot from that media.

I use Macrium which is paid. It lets me resize partitions during a restore (when going to a larger disk)as well as fix boot problems if a machine won't boot.
Others here image their systems with apps such as Aoemi, Easeus, or Haslo which are are free., Sorry, I have no experience with either of those apps but one should do the job..

Hmm well in that case I think I'll do a clean install and save everything I want off the hard drive first. I'm gonna have to use the USB to install because there's no CD drive but I've created Windows boot media before. I want to see if I can reuse the Windows 11 key

Flashorn said:
Hi!
Yes , it has but life happens and these are only PCs right?
So, since you have a HP, it should have come with a Recovery Disk or the Recovery partition on the drive itself.
Use a USB flash drive to copy that Recovery Partition to the flash drive. This will have all of the drivers needed
to recover the original install from HP.

Now, if you haven't ordered the parts you want to upgrade, I would suggest you use the little app to make sure
you have the Correct version of memory for your notebook.
CPUID: Use the ZIP file. It is the portable version so, no install.

CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID

CPU-Z for Windows® x86/x64 is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system : Processor name and number, codename, process, package, cache levels. Mainboard and chipset. Memory type, size, timings, and module specifications (SPD). Real time...

www.cpuid.com

Once up, click on the Memory tab at the top to verify the Timings (clocks) of the memory already installed. This
should be you guide line for new memory.
If you click on the SPD tab next to it, it will tell you which brand the installed memory is. Try to stay as close to this
brand as possible.
You could also check out the Crucial site which will scan the hardware and recommend if any of their products would be
replacements or upgrades for your particular application. They have memory and SSDs available. BUT, they might not have
the parts for your notebook available. Just be aware of this.

DRAM, Solid State Drive (SSD) & Memory Upgrades

Find compatible DRAM memory and SSD upgrades for your PC or Laptop with our Crucial Advisor tool or Crucial System Scanner, with FREE US delivery!

www.crucial.com

I personally clone my drives. Macrium can still be had for free from MajorGeeks:

Download Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - MajorGeeks

With Macrium Reflect Free Edition you'll be able to easily make an accurate and reliable image of your HDD or individual partitions. Using this image you can restore the entire disk, partition or...

www.majorgeeks.com

Here is a video that I used in the past to clone my drives: This is for a Dell but, very similar to what you want to do

As for the drive, Crucial should tell you which one to get either SATA or NVMe.

I tend to shop quickly so I already placed an order for Corsair Vengeance RAM (2 sticks, so I'm not mixing two different brands of RAM) and a Samsung SATA III SSD. I used both of those brands for my PC upgrade and I value their products highly. But I also made sure to get DDR4 so it should work with my laptop's motherboard.

But I will keep your advice in mind if anything goes awry. My RAM is apparently Micron Technology which would align with the Crucial brand.

glasskuter · Apr 21, 2024

PheagleAdler said:
I want to see if I can reuse the Windows 11 key

You won't need a key. The key is stored in UEFI and a windows install will see the key and install whatever version of Windows it corresponds to.
Be sure to use the clean install tutorial. Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial

Flashorn · Apr 21, 2024

I would also add that since this is a notebook you are working on, you should as good practice demands
that, you either wear a anti-static bracelet or rest the notebook on a anti-static pad. Those components
are so tightly packed that any kind of static will or might harm the delicate components inside your
notebook. This is just a precaution I use whenever I have to work on one.

cereberus · Apr 21, 2024

Despite all posts going into a lot of detail, I can totally say every pc or laptop HDD that I have changed out for an SSD totally eliminated the 100% disk in use.

You may see it for a few seconds after a major upgrade but that soon disappears.

The fact is HDDs are 20 year old technology. They are not suitable for the rigours of W10/11.

The other major hardware change that is beneficial is to increase RAM but you already have 8 GB, and unless using RAM hungry apps e.g. virtual machines, it is quite adequate for most users needs.

In the end, you can tinker with software optimisation but that will be second order compared with changing out to an SSD.

Remember, your ultimate performance is always limited by CPU speed of course.

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