Computer questions

samwoo2go · 04-30-2010, 02:49 AM

I am trying to fix my aunts computer for her because it's running so slow, its a virtual crawl.

So I decided to clean install windows 7 on it, it keeps failing and won't install...weird. Ok, so then I did a clean install of XP, it installed but is still really slow and it should not be that slow.

My old laptop has almost the same spec as this and it's running window 7 fine.

Cpu: Intel Pentium 4 Processor 631 (lap top: Intel Pentium M Processor 760 (Centrino) so should be able the same performance)

Memory: both 1GB

With those 2 major parts been un-failable and equate to my lap top (which runs fine) the only other thing I can think of would be a bad (or soon to be bad) hard drive.

What do you think, do you think I should buy a new hard drive?

JayKay335i · 04-30-2010, 02:57 AM

Could be a bad hard drive, bad ram, etc. I believe there is software that you can run that can help diagnose failing components.

silvergray545 · 04-30-2010, 03:05 AM

Failing components like JayKay said. Sounds like RAM to me. I had a 1 GB stick go bad on me once. Computer ran slow, replaced the RAM and it was running normal again.

samwoo2go · 04-30-2010, 03:38 AM

any good diagnostic software you guys recommend?

JayKay335i · 04-30-2010, 10:31 AM

Nope. I do know for sure that there are ram tests you can download. Been a while since I've used anything.

CollinsE90 · 04-30-2010, 10:37 AM

There's a diagnostic scan at boot up, its a "F" command

335e92tx · 04-30-2010, 10:50 AM

Win7 and vista have builtin memtest program
They also have performance monitors that can use http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.M.A.R.T. technology to monitor HDs

ragingclue · 04-30-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

Win7 and vista have builtin memtest program

I was under the impression that the memtest on boot was still a better option (at least for Vista anyway; I don't yet have any experience with that in 7).

I would definitely check that, whether you choose the Windows memtest feature or the bootable one....

Did you do a full format before trying to install Win 7? Have you checked your HDD for bad sectors? What is the specific error you get when your install fails?

BKV122 · 04-30-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

There's a diagnostic scan at boot up, its a "F" command

Yea during boot up hit one of the "F" keys, F4 or F12 or something and then select diagnostics scan. I did this with my laptop that had xp on it and at the end of the diagnostics it gives you any failure codes. Google the codes and you can figure out what's wrong with your results from google

335e92tx · 04-30-2010, 11:06 AM

The memtest is actually flagged to run at next reboot. It really can't write to all addresses with the OS up.

samwoo2go · 04-30-2010, 03:09 PM

I actually ran memtest86 and Windows memory diagnostic, both came up with no error. So I guess it's not the memory. Then it has to be the hard drive then right? Any hard drive testing software?

samwoo2go · 04-30-2010, 03:10 PM

I also ran some chkdsk /f and /r from cmd. got some error in the log, but I don't know if that's normal for hard drive or not.

ragingclue · 04-30-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samwoo2go

I also ran some chkdsk /f and /r from cmd. got some error in the log, but I don't know if that's normal for hard drive or not.

What are the errors?

El Cheapo Loco · 04-30-2010, 03:16 PM

chkdsk really doesn't give you much information. Get the diagnostic tools from the harddisk manufacturer's web site. They are much more accurate.

Also check if the RAM is 1 stick or 2x512mb. If it's 2 then you can test with one at a time and see if there's any difference.

Bimmer335i · 04-30-2010, 06:17 PM

1GB of RAM is actually very modest..you probably wanna upgrade to at least 4GB...windows OS are intensive now..I had some major issue with my laptop couple of weeks ago, was running Vista, 4 GB RAM, etc..and found out it was the OS itself that fucked things up...but lots of good ideas/suggestions in previous posts...GL.

boymonkey · 04-30-2010, 06:23 PM

1GB is low but should run XP just fine with a fresh install.

jopa489 · 04-30-2010, 10:04 PM

Is the HDD making any excessively-audible sounds, or is it always busy (as in, the HDD light is always lit up, even a while after boot)? Those are two pretty solid signs it's dying or dead without any diagnostic tools.

Also try HD Tune.

samwoo2go · 05-02-2010, 09:32 PM

Alright I am almost 90% certain it's a bad HD. I ran the WD manufacture diagnostic extended test and it froze half way thru after almost running for 2 whole days. I rebooted from CD again and deleted every partition and did a full format. After the format bar got to 100%, it said can not format, disk may be damaged.
Just ordered a new 250GB WD 7200RPM 16mb cache SATA HD from newegg and we'll see if that will fix the problem.

jopa489 · 05-02-2010, 09:35 PM

Nice. Based on your results, new HDD should do it.

samwoo2go · 05-05-2010, 12:26 AM

Just 1 final update. It was a bad HD. After the new HD was installed everything is running smooth like a baby's ass.

BTM · 05-05-2010, 12:35 AM

04-30-2010, 02:49 AM	#1
samwoo2go Banned 469 Rep 779 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (12)	Computer questions I am trying to fix my aunts computer for her because it's running so slow, its a virtual crawl. So I decided to clean install windows 7 on it, it keeps failing and won't install...weird. Ok, so then I did a clean install of XP, it installed but is still really slow and it should not be that slow. My old laptop has almost the same spec as this and it's running window 7 fine. Cpu: Intel Pentium 4 Processor 631 (lap top: Intel Pentium M Processor 760 (Centrino) so should be able the same performance) Memory: both 1GB With those 2 major parts been un-failable and equate to my lap top (which runs fine) the only other thing I can think of would be a bad (or soon to be bad) hard drive. What do you think, do you think I should buy a new hard drive?
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04-30-2010, 02:57 AM	#2
JayKay335i Banned 198 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	Could be a bad hard drive, bad ram, etc. I believe there is software that you can run that can help diagnose failing components.
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04-30-2010, 03:05 AM	#3
silvergray545 Skittles, OT OG 2343 Rep 649 Posts Drives: Lots of M cars Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 ZCP [0.00] 2000 BMW M Roadster [0.00] 2004 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 VW GLI [0.00]	Failing components like JayKay said. Sounds like RAM to me. I had a 1 GB stick go bad on me once. Computer ran slow, replaced the RAM and it was running normal again.
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04-30-2010, 03:38 AM	#4
samwoo2go Banned 469 Rep 779 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (12)	any good diagnostic software you guys recommend?
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04-30-2010, 10:31 AM	#5
JayKay335i Banned 198 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	Nope. I do know for sure that there are ram tests you can download. Been a while since I've used anything.
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04-30-2010, 10:37 AM	#6
CollinsE90 Where my bitches 784 Rep 1,924 Posts Drives: Cadillac coupe deville Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: street corner checking profits iTrader: (0)	There's a diagnostic scan at boot up, its a "F" command __________________
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04-30-2010, 10:50 AM	#7
335e92tx ahat 1070 Rep 2,592 Posts Drives: Was '07-335e92 - Now '13-335IS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (6)	Win7 and vista have builtin memtest program They also have performance monitors that can use http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.M.A.R.T. technology to monitor HDs __________________ '13 335IS N54 (1 of 373 LeMans Blue out of 3597 total production e92)- Grey interior (1 of 24 in LMB with any trans- 1 of 14 with DCT)-MODS -MFactory LSD/MHD-BQ custom Tune/ATM-IC/AFE Momentum GT Intake/Konis/Mfront&HeimJoint Rear rods&arms/Brembos. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lo6aHZRo7XqtPkhL8 Last edited by 335e92tx; 04-30-2010 at 11:01 AM..
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04-30-2010, 11:06 AM	#10
335e92tx ahat 1070 Rep 2,592 Posts Drives: Was '07-335e92 - Now '13-335IS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (6)	The memtest is actually flagged to run at next reboot. It really can't write to all addresses with the OS up. __________________ '13 335IS N54 (1 of 373 LeMans Blue out of 3597 total production e92)- Grey interior (1 of 24 in LMB with any trans- 1 of 14 with DCT)-MODS -MFactory LSD/MHD-BQ custom Tune/ATM-IC/AFE Momentum GT Intake/Konis/Mfront&HeimJoint Rear rods&arms/Brembos. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lo6aHZRo7XqtPkhL8
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04-30-2010, 03:09 PM	#11
samwoo2go Banned 469 Rep 779 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (12)	I actually ran memtest86 and Windows memory diagnostic, both came up with no error. So I guess it's not the memory. Then it has to be the hard drive then right? Any hard drive testing software?
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04-30-2010, 03:10 PM	#12
samwoo2go Banned 469 Rep 779 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (12)	I also ran some chkdsk /f and /r from cmd. got some error in the log, but I don't know if that's normal for hard drive or not.
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04-30-2010, 03:16 PM	#14
El Cheapo Loco douchebaggo 185 Rep 971 Posts Drives: stick Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	chkdsk really doesn't give you much information. Get the diagnostic tools from the harddisk manufacturer's web site. They are much more accurate. Also check if the RAM is 1 stick or 2x512mb. If it's 2 then you can test with one at a time and see if there's any difference.
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04-30-2010, 06:17 PM	#15
Bimmer335i Major 49 Rep 1,353 Posts Drives: 07 Sparkling Graphite 335i Sed Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego, CA US iTrader: (0)	1GB of RAM is actually very modest..you probably wanna upgrade to at least 4GB...windows OS are intensive now..I had some major issue with my laptop couple of weeks ago, was running Vista, 4 GB RAM, etc..and found out it was the OS itself that fucked things up...but lots of good ideas/suggestions in previous posts...GL. __________________ Enjoy the ride!
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04-30-2010, 06:23 PM	#16
boymonkey Lieutenant 41 Rep 530 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	1GB is low but should run XP just fine with a fresh install.
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04-30-2010, 10:04 PM	#17
jopa489 Major General 124 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	Is the HDD making any excessively-audible sounds, or is it always busy (as in, the HDD light is always lit up, even a while after boot)? Those are two pretty solid signs it's dying or dead without any diagnostic tools. Also try HD Tune. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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05-02-2010, 09:32 PM	#18
samwoo2go Banned 469 Rep 779 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (12)	Alright I am almost 90% certain it's a bad HD. I ran the WD manufacture diagnostic extended test and it froze half way thru after almost running for 2 whole days. I rebooted from CD again and deleted every partition and did a full format. After the format bar got to 100%, it said can not format, disk may be damaged. Just ordered a new 250GB WD 7200RPM 16mb cache SATA HD from newegg and we'll see if that will fix the problem.
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05-02-2010, 09:35 PM	#19
jopa489 Major General 124 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	Nice. Based on your results, new HDD should do it. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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05-05-2010, 12:26 AM	#20
samwoo2go Banned 469 Rep 779 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (12)	Just 1 final update. It was a bad HD. After the new HD was installed everything is running smooth like a baby's ass.
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05-05-2010, 12:35 AM	#21
BTM Banned 498 Rep 10,309 Posts Drives: A///MERICAN!!! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: A///MERICA!!! iTrader: (11) Garage List 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [7.20]
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