Hard Drive or CPU?

[John RFC]

Hello,

What causes a slowdown in searches, a failing hard drive or CPU?

Searches on my IBM / Lenovo laptop recently became very slow. However, once site was located and eventually loaded, everything functioned as normal. But going to another site takes forever...

Considering those symtoms, is the defect in the hard drive (seems noisy) CPU or is it the software and perhaps a virus?

Thank You

 

[iceclock]

can be both, hard to know. im not there to diagnose it. could be many factors. overheating. failing hard-drive. overheating cpu, damaged cpu. bunk memory. there could be a list of things to see.

 

[noidea_77]

Are you talking about desktop search (searching for files on your hdd) or web search (google)?

 

[John RFC]

Are you talking about desktop search (searching for files on your hdd) or web search (google)?

I talking about a web search including this response that took several seconds to open the dialogue window I'm typing in now.

 

[iceclock]

thats odd.

 

[John RFC]

Yeah, It's as though I went from DSL to dial-up

 

[iceclock]

i have no clue

 

[Quadacon]

It can be both harddrive and cpu, normally the hard drive though

 

[daswilhelm]

clear your browser cache

 

[iceclock]

yar

 

[th3_ory]

It could be your whole computer itself just getting old.

 

[Botnus]

Wow, ignore everybody...

Your hard drive will only impact performance in the event it's loading information directly from the hard drive into RAM, then to your CPU. So unless you're opening programs and files stored on your hard drive, it will have no impact on how quickly your web pages load.

Your CPU's performance can potentially deteriorate over time, but unless you notice an all-around, very-noticable performance hit I would rule out the CPU being the culprit.

If you're experiencing delays in your internet service, you may want to contact your ISP and ask them why you are experiencing such poor service.

You may also want to consider when the last time any maintenance was done on your computer. Do a Google search for CCleaner and install it, and run it. It will analyze your computer for useless information and fix your system registry.

Other non-third-party tools you can use that come with Windows are Disk Cleanup, CHKDSK and Defragmentor. For Disk Cleanup, go to:
Start -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Cleanup.
Do a scan and cleanup your C: drive.

Disk Defragmentor can also be found in the same directory.

To perform a CHKDSK, there are two ways you can do it:
1) Start -> Computer -> Right-Click C: -> Properties -> Tools -> CHKDSK -> Schedule a Disk Check and restart your computer.
2) Start -> Command Prompt (Run as admin) -> Type in "CHKDSK C:" and press enter

If you have a ton of programs running in the background, it will also slow down your system considerably. You may want to reduce the number of background tasks by going to:
Start -> Run -> Type in "MSConfig"
You want to check in the "Services" and "Startup" options. Please do not turn off any services until you do some research to find out whether or not your system actually needs it to run properly.

You may also want to check the physical condition of your system as well. If it's dirty, airflow is restricted which will cause deficient cooling. If your CPU is not properly cooled then it will get hot. When it gets hot, your CPU performs what is called "Throttling": It will slow itself down to prevent any potential thermal damage.

 

[dudeknows]

Internet connection or the site has too much bytes

 

[John RFC]

I thank each and everyone of you for your help.

...and Botnus, thank you for your well thought out and detailed response... I did all the easy software performance enhancers.
I'm replacing the original 5400 RPM Toshiba hard drive with a new 7200 RPM unit and then loading it with the original IBM service pack.

 

[iceclock]

anytime buddeh

 

[John RFC]

I narrowed it down to a problem in the hard drive. Two weeks after the problem began, I ordered a new Western Digital 7200 RPM hard drive.

Then and totally beyond any reason I can understand, my IBM Lenovo laptop began running normally again!!!

 

[simon12]

Glad its sorted reading through this I suspected software rather than hardware.

 

[Quadacon]

Wow, ignore everybody...

Your hard drive will only impact performance in the event it's loading information directly from the hard drive into RAM, then to your CPU. So unless you're opening programs and files stored on your hard drive, it will have no impact on how quickly your web pages load.

Your CPU's performance can potentially deteriorate over time, but unless you notice an all-around, very-noticable performance hit I would rule out the CPU being the culprit.

If you're experiencing delays in your internet service, you may want to contact your ISP and ask them why you are experiencing such poor service.

You may also want to consider when the last time any maintenance was done on your computer. Do a Google search for CCleaner and install it, and run it. It will analyze your computer for useless information and fix your system registry.

Other non-third-party tools you can use that come with Windows are Disk Cleanup, CHKDSK and Defragmentor. For Disk Cleanup, go to:
Start -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Cleanup.
Do a scan and cleanup your C: drive.

Disk Defragmentor can also be found in the same directory.

To perform a CHKDSK, there are two ways you can do it:
1) Start -> Computer -> Right-Click C: -> Properties -> Tools -> CHKDSK -> Schedule a Disk Check and restart your computer.
2) Start -> Command Prompt (Run as admin) -> Type in "CHKDSK C:" and press enter

If you have a ton of programs running in the background, it will also slow down your system considerably. You may want to reduce the number of background tasks by going to:
Start -> Run -> Type in "MSConfig"
You want to check in the "Services" and "Startup" options. Please do not turn off any services until you do some research to find out whether or not your system actually needs it to run properly.

You may also want to check the physical condition of your system as well. If it's dirty, airflow is restricted which will cause deficient cooling. If your CPU is not properly cooled then it will get hot. When it gets hot, your CPU performs what is called "Throttling": It will slow itself down to prevent any potential thermal damage.

that wont be necessary