100% Disk Usage

[societyx]

Having an issue with a slightly older machine. It's pegging 100% disk usage a lot of the time. It began in Windows 10, and I googled this issue and found many threads, both here and on Reddit about it. Tried tons of the solutions mentioned, none of which worked. So I finally kind of thought "Maybe the hardware just can't handle 10?" So as a test, I downgraded it back to Windows 7, which I know for fact it previously handled with zero problems. Now even on 7 it's having disk usage problems. It also happened on a Fresh clean install of 10. And a Fresh clean install of 7. So I don't think it's a process, or something like that. This system is running as bare bones as possible on two different OS and both are running super slow. Infact the install on 10 took probably over 2 hours and the Windows 7 took close to 2 hours to install. This is not normal clearly.

Now I'm not sure what 100% Disk usage actually is signalling, so that's what I need help for. Is it literally as simple as the HDD is likely borked? The RAM is not pinging high, so I don't think it's a paging file SNAFU. Thanks Tom Community.

 

[Multipack]

Sounds like a failing hard drive if it happened on two OS's. Can you test another drive to see if the problem goes?

 

[societyx]

Not very easily. But I suppose picking up a refurb like new off Newegg for 15-20 bucks is the best solution if that's really what it is.

 

[Multipack]

Well there's no guarantee it is the HDD. It could be BIOS/firmware related, but either update/reset your BIOS or try another HDD. Tbh I think its probably easier to get a cheap HDD lol but no guarantees thats the problem. When its using 100% in Task Manager, if you sort the disk column by usage, what processes are using it all?

 

[societyx]

That's an odd part of it is there is no process that's really using anything. Like I say even on a clean boot or fresh OS install it's instantly starting to peg out 100% And even installign the OS takes hours as opposed to minutes. So it seems more and more like potentially HDD.

 

[Multipack]

Agreed. Only one way to find out!

 

[societyx]

Well I ordered one off Newegg, so I'll check back in once it gets here and I can find out the answer!