Super slow i5 notebook

[kelvin_99]

I have an old LG i5 notebook running Windows 10. It is very slow to the point of lagging every few seconds. I used it mostly to run Youtube videos.

At first I thought it was due to slow internet connection. I disconnect from internet and run the videos downloaded, still no difference. I noticed that hard disk lights would still be flickering, even when there is no activity. Also when I run spreadsheets with simple graphics like line and arrows, the refresh can get painfully slow.

I reset to factory setting as I thought it could be some rogue applications. However, after resetting to Windows 7, there is still no difference.

It would be a waste to throw away the laptop. Any suggestion besides buying a new one? I just need it to watch Youtube videos and run simple Excel spreadsheets.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[86technie]

Few questions:

- How old is the laptop?
- What is the original OS?
Is it Windows 7? Not all laptop can run Windows 10 smoothly.
Primary due to lack of proper drivers for certain laptops
so do check.

I suspect maybe your laptop doesn't support Windows 10.
You may have to do a clean install of Windows 7 but not
just revert from Windows 10 to 7 since it will traces of
the new OS.

 

[ngbc]

Backup & fresh install Win10 again...
Most likely HDD bad sectors...

 

[12122012]

I noticed that hard disk lights would still be flickering, even when there is no activity. Also when I run spreadsheets with simple graphics like line and arrows, the refresh can get painfully slow.

open your Task Manager see what apps or background processes eating your cpu. also go to your startup tab disable programs that u don't need. likely that u might have malwares...

if u still using hdd upgrade to ssd.

 

[jtjt00]

Aside from Internet, it is cpu/memory/storage/graphics causing the lag.

 

[Koenig168]

I would suggest you check the HDD health.

 

[kelvin_99]

Few questions:

- How old is the laptop?
- What is the original OS?
Is it Windows 7? Not all laptop can run Windows 10 smoothly.
Primary due to lack of proper drivers for certain laptops
so do check.

I suspect maybe your laptop doesn't support Windows 10.
You may have to do a clean install of Windows 7 but not
just revert from Windows 10 to 7 since it will traces of
the new OS.

Should be > 7 years old
Original OS is Windows 7
I did a full factory reset which I believe should clear out remnants of Windows 10, unless I am wrong on that.

 

[kelvin_99]

Backup & fresh install Win10 again...
Most likely HDD bad sectors...

If its HDD bad sectors by re-setting it to factory setting, does it not do a reformat and skip the bad sectors?

open your Task Manager see what apps or background processes eating your cpu. also go to your startup tab disable programs that u don't need. likely that u might have malwares...
Already disable all the unwanted apps via Task Manager. When I did a factory reset I only re-installed MS Office and the Anti-virus apps.

if u still using hdd upgrade to ssd.

If it indeed is a HD problem, I guess I would need external help to move my apps and data to SD, or is it something I can do it myself?

Aside from Internet, it is cpu/memory/storage/graphics causing the lag.

I suppose I need to run a full diagnostic test.

I would suggest you check the HDD health.

Noted with thanks. Any good utility software to recommend?

 

[kelvin_99]

Just did a HDD check using the tools provided by Windows 7. No bad sectors or errors reported. I am beginning to suspect that the "old" hardware drivers are no longer optimised to support the newer applications we have today. And I would not be surprised if I have to go back to the hardware manufacturer and pay them a fee to have the obsolete drivers updated. Otherwise, that means I have "no choice" but to replace my laptop. Possible?

 

[watzup_ken]

I suspect your hard drive is dying. These are symptoms. The slowness is due to the drive struggling to read the data. I experienced this before, though I did not suspect it was the hard drive at the start. Opening an application can take a long time, and it is unnaturally long.

 

[albertlee]

Could be infected with virus, malware or other rogue software. Have you done a full virus/malware scan?

 

[eric3743]

Just did a HDD check using the tools provided by Windows 7. No bad sectors or errors reported. I am beginning to suspect that the "old" hardware drivers are no longer optimised to support the newer applications we have today. And I would not be surprised if I have to go back to the hardware manufacturer and pay them a fee to have the obsolete drivers updated. Otherwise, that means I have "no choice" but to replace my laptop. Possible?

Have you did a defrag your HDD.
This may help as if the HDD has no serious issue.

Changing of HDD to either SSD or others is easy.
There are few clone program that can handle this OS transfer easily.

Factory reset is fresh install to the point when purchase.
However you have to go to manufacturer website to do all the update of components to the latest version.
As Factory reset do not have any latest updates available.
Usually i will keep a copy of latest version updates, as sometimes it is very hard to find updates for the software and components.
More on convenience and with references to the sites in case if there are latest version.

Lastly try to watch a video immediately after re-install / factory reset with all updates completed, including Windows updates.
Thereafter then install whatever program &or applications.
If it is still problematic, then the result is the most likely HDD.

Having 2 laptops as both on Windows 7 with 8GB & 16GB RAM and SSD & HDD respectively.
Watching video are smooth, using VLC media player.
So it is not the laptop itself is the issue.
Rather it can be HDD and system & components not updates properly.

 

[Ark Law]

Or maybe it's just time for an SSD

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

Use crystalldiskinfo to check the status of your HDD. Next check your graphic driver is it updated
.

 

[kelvin_99]

Use crystalldiskinfo to check the status of your HDD. Next check your graphic driver is it updated
.

You are right bro! The problem lies with the graphic drivers. This explains the slow refresh problem. Had the problem fixed and the PC is now back to normal speed.. at least for now.

Anyways thanks everyone for your suggestions and input! Have a nice day.

 

[86technie]

Should be > 7 years old
Original OS is Windows 7
I did a full factory reset which I believe should clear out remnants of Windows 10, unless I am wrong on that.

Revert wise, traces of the Win 10 will still be there.

You are right bro! The problem lies with the graphic drivers. This explains the slow refresh problem. Had the problem fixed and the PC is now back to normal speed.. at least for now.

Anyways thanks everyone for your suggestions and input! Have a nice day.

In the first I suspect is driver issue especially with Windows 10.
Do take note, try to use notebook manufacturer's driver but not
anywhere else.

This will ensure that the notebook function and perform properly
even though it is outdated.
Since you have managed to solved, that's great.

If problem comes back, do a clean install of Windows 7.
Load all the driver for the notebook from LG site.