Best Answer: Reinstalling windows will remove the issue. This is difficult since it appears you have no access to the internet on your laptop (I'm assuming you've posted this from another computer). First thing's first, boot into safe mode with networking (internet access).
In the event that safe mode works, download Malwarebytes (it's free) and install it, then, turn off system restore and run Malwarebytes. After running Malwarebytes and removing everything it listed as dangerous go to Start>Run and type in Msconfig. This will bring up a window which lists all start up processes and services. Un-select everything that isn't Microsoft or that you aren't 100% sure of, reboot computer.
If you are unable to boot into safe mode there are probably some options such as an alternative boot disk which would enable access to your computer and allow you to back up some information or maybe even solve the problem. However, since you are not concerned with the information that would be wiped off your Hard Drive with a reformat, I would suggest reformating. Your computer will be completely clean and should run significantly faster with a fresh registry. Depending on computer and hard drive speed the reinstall can go pretty quick.
Re:After looking at the HD light and loading new programs, the HD definitely looks like it hangs a few moments before it loads the program. Now I want to know why it's doing this and what's causing it. Any idea as to what would make a HD hang and why?
Re:I still need to run the extended test, but that will take hours so I'm gonna do it later, but the quick test said is passed without any event and I'm thinking the extended test will show the same thing too. You don't think my defragger would be causing damage to the file system do you? Like I said earlier, I use Diskeeper 10, which is supposed to be the best, or at least one of the best disk defraggers. Before that I was using Diskeeper 9. It's just that, to me this looks like it has something to do with the file system and because Diskeeper does resort files and directory structures, I wonder if somehow it's borking it up.
One other thing is that, once I run a program, then close it and then run it again, it runs much faster….like it's supposed to since it's in memory likely. The first time though takes much longer of course but much too long than it should and like I said before, the HD light is almost constantly on. This is just weird. Oh and then some programs I have just don't work anymore either when they used to for no apparent reason. For example, I use Snagit….it's a app that's used for taking screenshots. Well I had version 7 and I upgraded to version 8. Well for some reason version 8 locked up. So I tried to go back to version 7 and I can't get either one to work. I've used registry cleaners (like jv PowerTools and Registry Repair) to see and fix the problem and while that usually works on 99% of programs, it won't work here. There is another program I have that's done the same thing and I don't know why. Oh and just to clarify, I have a legal copy of WinXP Pro w/SP2 already inside it. I say this because I might ask a person if they were using a legal copy since I could say a warez version might cause problems like this, but this is definitely not the case here.
Re:Hmmm, that's an idea possibly…..the doing the diagnostics on the WD drive. I know the Seagate isn't the problem because it's fairly new and this was happening before I bought it. Also I'm sure the cable is fine because it was doing this same thing with my other computer in which I was using different cables. I don't recall if I did a diagnostic on my WD though. In my other computer, in which this first happened, I had an IBM "Deathstar", but I don't think I've tested my WD. Good idea, I'll try that because I think I had this WD when this first began. I'll report back as soon as I've tested it.
Oh and the Blue screening….sorry, I don't think I made myself clear. This is a BSOD, but just a blue screen before it shuts down.
Re:Yeah, that sounds right. If you're blue screening, though, that may indicate a hardware issue.
I'm assuming the IDE drive is your primary drive? I would try replacing the IDE cable connecting it. After that, I would download WD's diagnostic tools (there should be a bootable CD or floppy version) and run the extended tests to determine if your hard drive is failing. You may want to try a different power supply as well, as that can cause components to fail in very strange ways.
Good luck!
Re:OK, thanx…I feel like a real idiot now. I guess it's been so long that I've had to mess with that, I forgot where it was located. OK well anyway my IDE is set to Ultra DMA 5 and my SATA is set to Generation 1 – 1.5G. That's where they should be set, no?
Originally posted by: guy
In System properties / Device manager, expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers node and go to properties of your Primary IDE channel and Secondary IDE channel (your PATA drive is likely on your primary channel). Under the Advanced settings tab, it should show you the current transfer mode.
EDIT: This works in XP regardless of your service pack level.
Re:In System properties / Device manager, expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers node and go to properties of your Primary IDE channel and Secondary IDE channel (your PATA drive is likely on your primary channel). Under the Advanced settings tab, it should show you the current transfer mode.
EDIT: This works in XP regardless of your service pack level.
Re:I'm not sure…one is a normal PATA and the other is a SATA, but in Device Manager, they both say Location 0 Primary ATA channel. I recall being able to both see and turn it off or on before, but I don't see anything like that now. The last time I recall being able to set the DMA was probably with WinXP pre SP2. Maybe SP1 had it, I don't remember. In any case, where do I find that out and how to I turn it off or on. Also if it does have something to do with DMA, wouldn't it do this at the very beginning…that is even when I first install Windows?
Originally posted by: guy
Is DMA enabled on your hard drives?
Re:Is DMA enabled on your hard drives?
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