HDD slow on boot, normal speed on restart (sometimes)

[angus5636]

This is a weird one. So my 2tb HDD that I use for games, music and films (my OS (Windows 10) is on my 250gb ssd) sometimes has incredibly slow read speeds when I boot my pc, often <1mb/s. This is obviously a serious hinderance for anything I want to get done. The weird thing is that a temporary fix is to restart my PC AND THEN shut it down then boot it back up and it's fixed (at least until I need my pc next).

I don't think this is a problem with the drive itself as I replaced it when I encountered this problem. Moreover, it's not a RAM problem as I have 16gb of ddr4 ram. The last time I switched the sata cables to different ports, it was fixed for a little longer, but the issue returned. A friend suggested it might be something to do with the BIOS but I wasn't convinced. Any tips?

 

[Ralston18]

To begin: be sure that HDD's data has been backed up to other drives/locations and be sure to verify that the backups worked. Check the backups.

Afterwards:

Use the Event Viewer logs to view the original boot and then the restart events.

First look at the logs as is. The following link from within this Forum will help:

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-3128616/windows-event-viewer.html

Just explore first. Do not be overly concerned about errors codes and warnings per se. Most systems generate quite a few entries.

Focus on events that occurred during the initial start and then the following restart. Look for differences.

As the problem has occurred before look for some pattern that is repetitive.

May be easier to follow events if you clear the logs beforehand.

You can also use the friendlier Task Manager and Resource Monitor tools to observe your HDD while it is being slow and then again after the restart. Look for some process, app, or service trying to access the HDD. Gives up on the restart.

Just remember that the drive could completely fail on you during testing and troubleshooting.

You should also run the HDD's manufacturer's diagnostic tools. The tool may identify some problem.

 

[angus5636]

To begin: be sure that HDD's data has been backed up to other drives/locations and be sure to verify that the backups worked. Check the backups.

If I don't have the space elsewhere, am I taking a big risk by not backing it up?

 

[Ralston18]

Yes. Very big risk.

Any disk problems at all are a sign of trouble coming. If you are lucky you get some warning and have time to ensure that the backups are made and verified good.

But do not "wait" for warnings or signs of trouble.

That is why everyone continually emphasizes the need to backup and backup again. BEFORE any signs of trouble. And verify the backup. Just because the logs report a successful backup does not always mean the data will be recoverable and readable.

At some point anything you do at all may cause permanent loss of data on the drive.

Prioritize your data if you are short on storage space. You can almost always reload apps and games.

Data: photographs, homework, projects, spreadsheets, databases, music files, etc., should have multiple copies stored in separate locations.

 

[seagate_surfer]

Hello angus5636, what brand is your HDD? If you have a Seagate, use Seatools to test it. Also, if need be you may contact support here and check your warranty here.

As some other users have suggested, backing up is a very good idea. The conventional wisdom by tech experts on backups is known as the 3-2-1 method.

Basically you want:

3 copies of any data you don't want to lose
2 different mediums it's stored on (so 2 different drives in your computer, for example)
1 copy kept offsite, to prevent against disaster.

Best of luck.