Computer Running Slow?

[corinth]

My computer was starting to slow down quite a bit. After I ran a number of clean-ups, virus checks, the usual, I noticed that my computer was not defragmenting completely.

I told my son who is an IT specialist and he took one quick look and said" you got a bad sector on your hard drive." It will never defrag, your computer will always be slow and you need to get a new drive and put your system on that one only.

He also went into a lot of detail but the bottom line is...
Darn. OK, so now I will buy new SSD(solid state Drive) and put my system on that one only.

Just thought I would share the info. Anybody want to add, feel free.

Corinth

 

[jamesngalveston]

Windows has inbuilt check disk tool, called "Chkdsk". It is recommended to run this tool from time to time. It will scan the disk for errors, fix logical errors, detect and mark bad sectors, so that Windows will no longer try to use them. This way it can prevent your computer from becoming unstable.

I would run it at night when you go to bed..it sometimes takes hours to complete.
After you can install new hd and use the one with a fixed sector as a secondary, are run another os on it, like unbutu are something.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

Corinth
I believe I would listen to my son who job is a IT specialist first.
I like James know a bit about computers and all - but it can go into a lengthy discussion about how old the computers, which virus scans did you try and the list goes on and on.

I would personally back up my data and call your son to repair your computer - considering that is his speciality.

 

[Pumpkinman]

Corinth,
I working in the IT field for many years holding positions from IT Tech to IT Director, the three rules of IT are:
Back up
Back Up
Back up

Start backing up your data now and ask your son to install a new HDD, he'll be able to do this the correct way so that you don't lose all of your data and photos, ask him to back up your IE shortcuts so at least you'll be able to navigate to your favorite websites while you get use to the new layout.
Don't be surprised if you end up needing a newer operating system, depending on how old your system is, you may even need to upgrade your computer, if you are currently running Windows XP, your son may be able to purchase a copy (check out NewEgg.com), but as of April 8, 2014, technical assistance for Windows XP will no longer be available, including automatic updates that help protect your PC. You can continue to use Windows XP, but your computer might become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses.
I would consider upgrading to Windows 7, if your system is several years old, the hardware may not be adequate to support the operating system, but your son will already have a game plan for you.
The key is to act fast before you start to lose data.

 

[jamesngalveston]

hd are so cheap now, compared to 10 years agoe...almost disposable but your photos,music,files,documents are not..back it up...as suggested.
i would add as secondary, but not store anything on it that you really want.are at least burn to dvd, and use it as temp storage,

 

[corinth]

Computer running slow

James, I shore do remember chkdsk. I used to run it all the time on my old XP pro. Then ChkDsk went bad, had to copy it from another computer and load it into the computer.mess with the registry(scary) and work some magic I do not even remember anymore--ah the good ol' days.

Yeah, I like James also: cool dude( or Boss, twitchen, or possibly down in your neck of the wood, "Firme!" Then again, maybe it is just because he lives by the coast?
James--did you watch Iron Chef Ice Battle?

I digress,

I am currently running System 7, 64 bit with Intel(r)core i7-2600/CPU @ 3.40GHz processer(what ever all that means!) I had my son custom build it and in the beginning, it left "skid marks!

Pumpkinman,
I hear you loud and clear as I have back-up schedule set and have back-ups of back-ups. You sound quite a bit like my son: I followed most of what he said but the bottom line is that I will buy a Solid State Drive as my primary(about 160GB). He said he would clone the operating system into the new drive and leave the old one with 1.36 terabyte to be used for holding other stuff.

And then he went into other detail that reminded me trying to get a handle on various equations for measuring OG SG , Acidity ---My computer head just froze-up!

Thank you all very much for your feedback. Is it true that when I click a" like", that person automatically gets a hundred dollar gift card e-mailed to them ?
Then again, I am probably having a senior moment!

My son is a real good guy and he will "GIt-ER-Dun"

Thank you all for your wisdom.

Corinth

 

[Winenoob66]

On saving your pictures I cheat, I have a gmail account I just use to store my pics on. And with free 10 gb of storage it will hold a ba jillion pictures.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

On saving your pictures I cheat, I have a gmail account I just use to store my pics on. And with free 10 gb of storage it will hold a ba jillion pictures.

I wish it could be that easy for some of us -
I have 2 - 1 Terabyte external hard drives for stuff I need to back-up or save