Which piece of hardware is causing my problems?

About 4 weeks back, I realized that my computer was not happy, although it likely started long before then but I was busy with the Holidays.

I have a Gateway MX6453 laptop that I purchased Jan'07, running XP Sp3, 2G RAM, AMD Turion processor, and 320G of HD memory. My first real indication of a problem came when I tried running a manual backup of my computer using Norton Ghost. It would run until 95% complete, the just hang for hours, never completing. This happened several times, and other random/unduplicatable (??) problems. My biggest frustration was that the computer was so SLOW - taking as long as 10 minutes to Restart, launching IE was an excruciating period of time, and let's not even talk about trying to launch Outlook. Since it had been about 2 years since the last reformat, my first course of action was to do just that - reformatted the HD back to factory settings. Updated all software, made sure I had the latest and greatest drivers from the Gateway web site. Still a very slow computer..........Updated/ flashed BIOS, ran CCleaner, defragmented disk. Still very slow. :angry:

Searched web Forums & Google for other potential reasons for the slowness. Now realizing that my problem is most likely not software related, but hardware. So, I tested my RAM using Memtest86 - could not get it to go beyond 11% completion on several attempts to test. So, I started removing sticks, changing the slot, etc. to determine which was bad. All tests passed!! Even put the sticks back in to their original slots and ran the test again - AND IT PASSED, although before moving the sticks around it couldn't/wouldn't!!!

OK, so now what? Deep tested the upgraded HD (Western Digital Scorpio Blue) using WD's program on their site. Ran it twice - both tests passed. So, I'm left with thinking maybe my processor is on its way out. Is there a comprehensive test program that does not need to run for days/weeks (as I am led to believe Prime95 does)?

Unless there is something else I should be testing/investigating?? I appreciate you taking the time to read this long post, and welcome any suggestions.

Thank you!

Nancy

 

Greetings, ridenbaughn.

Just a quick question to get it out of the way: does the 'slowness' persist while in Safe Mode?

 

Hmmm...didn't think to test that. Should I try that and re-post with the results??

 

I would - Safe Mode will load only the necessary Windows drivers, no 3rd-party programs. If you notice a drastic change in symptoms, then there's the possibility that something software-wise is causing the lag.

Edit: hello, Tim! ¦)

 

TimW - I have already turned off unnecessary software in the Start up file with the exception of Anti-virus & Spyware.

Caliban - am running in Safe Mode right now - first impression is that nothing is running any differently, but will report again/more later.

Thanks!!!

 

Good enough.

If you still experience the problems in Safe Mode, then that's a pretty good indicator that some hardware is causing the issues.

You might try disconnecting any network-related devices, just to see if something's trying to 'phone home'.

Heat related, maybe? If you don't have any sensor-type software loaded, you could try looking in BIOS, see if any temps look suspicious.

Just throwing out some random thoughts. Since you seem to have verified the hard drive and RAM integrity, there ain't much left except mobo, processor and PSU.

 

TimW - the file you asked for is attached. Let me know what the halibut finds

Caliban - I'm not really sure what you mean by "network related devices"? I do have a small home network (2 laptops, 1 desktop), all connect to each other/internet via wireless network. Printer is wireless also. On this particular laptop with the problems I have an external HD connected, full size keyboard/mouse thru USB and full size monitor.

As for the temp, I could not find the info in BIOS, so I downloaded Core Temp. Right now comp is running Core 0 (178-199) and Core 1 (160-171). Not sure if this is good or bad......

Yesterday I downloaded a program recommended by the MG website to test the processor but have yet to proceed. Can't recall the name of the program, but the file that downloaded is an .iso called inq-live-3.1beta2-i386-debian.iso, but I get the impression it is Linux based? Do I need Linux to run it? Are there other tests for the mobo or psu as well?

Thank you both so much for your responses!!

Nancy

 

Hi TimW~

Is the LiveUpdate file associated with Norton Ghost? I use this program regularly. I'll have to check out Gateways site for recommended temps.

Nancy

 

OK, deleting files now. Will remove Nod32 and see if that helps. I'll let you know. Personally don't like Norton AV b/c it is a memory hog (IMO).

 

Hi,

Just a thought: How much free space does that drive have?

Luck, Jim

 

Total space 320G, free space 195G.

 

Hi, Nancy.

You're running these tests with the machine disconnected from the internet and from the external hard drive, correct?

 

Caliban, yes, I have been disconnected and all other programs stopped/disabled (AV, Spyware, etc.) to ensure no interference with the testing.

Today I am going to try running the .iso program to test my processor.

FYI - removing Nod32 has not made a significant change in the comp behavior.

Nancy

 

Had to ask.

Not familiar with that .iso, but if it's only a disk-level tester (no GUI) and you're in a burning mood, you might also try booting to a live Linux environment - Mint and Ubuntu are a couple of good ones. Might give some more insight (I'm still not 100% convinced that this is a hardware issue).

Agreed with Tim about the temps, but seems to me that if the processor is overheating, the symptoms would present as something more catastrophic than just slowing down. Maybe some of the hardware gurus here will jump onboard and help us out.

And, looking back - that Memtest dance you went through is bothersome. Strange the way that panned out.

 

Quick question - how many passes on each stick of RAM do you recommend using the MemTest software? I am being told that one pass is not sufficient, I should have performed as many as 10 for each configuration/stick.

Your POV?

 

I'd say 7 runs as a minimum, Nancy.

 

Quick update - ran Drive Fitness Test yesterday, twice, both tests passed.

Ran MemTest on the RAM in the original configuration (recall that it failed, then passed), twice it failed - error message was "Unexpected Interrupt - Halting CPU". Going to perform the multiple passes on the individual sticks/slot configurations today. Will report back.

Have a great day!!

 

Hi TimW~

Yes, I have used Crucial in the past and if I decide to replaced RAM, I will be ordering from them as they have the best prices that I've been able to find.

When I did the original test using MemTest I was unaware that I should have performed multiple passes on each stick/configuration. So I ran it again, letting to complete a minimum of 7 passes each. The results were the exactly the same as before - all passed.

I think now I will focus on the CPU temp. I have downloaded CoreTemp and have been randomly monitoring the temps. I also downloaded Toast and ran it in two instances (since I have two processors) simultaneously. It did not take but a few seconds for Core 0 to reach above 90 - even going as high as 96 over about 30 seconds of running. I immediately stopped the testing so it would not fry the comp. The fan does have some air flow coming from it, but I'm not sure how much I should expect it to have since I have never checked it before so nothing to gauge against. However, I will take the next steps in dismantling and cleaning to see if that helps.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!!
Nancy

 

Well, I think I finally figured out my problem, and much to my chagrin it was a relatively stupid lack of maintenance from not ever cleaning the fan/vent area. Boy, there was a lot in there!!! My temps are back down to the high 50's C, so I'll monitor it for a few more days to be sure.

Special thanks to TimW & Caliban for your help!!

Nancy

 

Fingers are still crossed, Nancy. Hope everything's sorted, and since you seem fairly conversant with all things computer, make sure you stick around and give us a hand here in the Forums - we can always use the help!

:major

 

Will do Caliban!!

Be well..........