Laptop HD Problem??

So about 3 weeks ago my computer was running extremely slow - switching between programs running in background is agonizing period of time (2+ min), opening a program such as email takes extremely long time, computer freezes up and I have to hard power off, Ctr+Alt+Del won't work, etc. So, I figured I had a virus that my anti-virus software did not catch (Nod32) and decided the best remedy would be to reformat the HD. First go-round I was not happy with the performance of the install, limped along for a week or so, then decided yesterday to do it again. Performed full destructive install, reloaded Windows. Had to find drivers in Net myself (thankfully we have 2nd computer that works), still having problems with speed/performance. Once Windows installed (but not updates yet), installed anti-spyware/virus (Spyware Dr & Nod32), then went to internet for updates. However, could not (and still can not) connect to my wireless router (had to pirate from a neighbor). Downloaded updates (85 total), installed Microsoft Office for email access, then went to bed (tired!). This a.m. I resume the tedious process of installing one program after another.......tried to install Quicken. Got about 75% through the install, computer locked up and I had to hard power off to get it back up. Still can not toggle between programs already open and running (can go downstairs and make coffee while waiting). Can;t connect to our small home network (was connected before recovery), can't connect to my own wireless router.......continues to run agonizingly slow........I can't believe that it is a virus causing this. Best Buy (where I bought the comp) wants $70 to look at it, another local computer guy wants $85(!!) to 'look' at it. However.......his theory is that the hard drive is/may be going bad.

Any ideas/thoughts? Might it be the HD, or ??

The comp is a Gateway MX-6453 w/Windows XP Media Center running. AMD Turion 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-52, 1.6 GHz, 2MB RAM (fyi-waited nearly 2 minutes for Start>My Computer>Properties to open).

Countless time spent on this problem.....needless to say I am frustrated!! :cry

Nancy

 

Have you run chkdsk /f from run command ?? and reseat memory sticks ?? if your HD is on the way out you normally would get clunking noises coming from computer.

 

Yes does sound like the hard drive.

Take it out and read the label.

Download the appropriate manufacturers own test utility

http://www.asci-red.net/tools.htm#hmt

Let us know how you get on.

 

My next door neighbor is a computer geek - ran by him my problems. Since I had just reformateed/reinstalled Windows, he suggested trying to download the BUS driver for my Motherboard (just in case), and viola - my computer works beautifully!!

Thanks Toke for your suggestion - turns out to have been a much simpler problem than I had thought!!

Have a great day~
Nancy