Occasional sluggish responses on a new build

Poor Yorick

Prominent
May 3, 2017
10
0
510
So a couple of weeks ago I build this computer, and it seems like the tasks I'm performing are taxing it, which doesn't make sense. I'm a research lawyer, and primarily use the computer for work. That said, I also watch a lot of videos, have a lot of tabs open, and am trying to learn a bit about programming (free online lectures and materials at MIT and the like). This morning, I've got three Chrome windows open, with 9 tabs in one (Facebook, HBO Now streaming Real Time, Google News, e-mail, etc), two tabs in another, and three tabs in the last one. I'm running Spyder (Python3.6) but not actively using it. I've got a PDF open through Microsoft Edge browser, task manager running, and a couple of word documents open.

As I went to open a document from a client file stored on the external hard drive, I got a "Device not ready" message. It was plugged in and being read, but not responding. When I held it in my hand, I could feel vibrations like it was working (though maybe that was coming from my fan through the USB cord?)

Anyway, I know the simple answer is "close some stuff and see if that helps." The point of building this, though, was to have a system that accommodates how I like to work (lots of stuff open, not shutting down for weeks). So if I need more RAM, a different internal hard drive, a different processor, etc., I'd prefer that to changing how I do things.

I've had the external hard drive (1 TB WD My Passport ) for at least a few years, and have a few different computers' worth of info stored on it. All the same, I've only used 97 gigs out of the terabyte that's available.

So, suggestions for what could be causing sluggish response times and non-responsiveness? Do I need a new external hard drive? Is it a driver issue? How do I find out?

Current build (build date April 20, 2017):
Tower: Thermaltake Versa N23
Power: Thermaltake 750W 80PLUS
Motherboard: MSI X370 SLI PLUS
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 1400
Internal hard drive: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM010 1 TB 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
RAM: Crucial 16GB DDR4 SDRAM Memory Module (16GBx1)
Graphics: Nvidia Geforce 210 Graphics Card
Wireless: Netis Wireless N 300Mbps PCIE Card 2x5dBi Antenna
Wireless: Asus USB-BT400 Bluetooth 4.0 adapter
Disc: Asus DVD read/write
Operating system: Windows 10 Home 64 bit
 
Solution
Hello there, you mentioned that you were using an external hard drive for a few years, yet in the description you were using an internal hard drive? You might want to invest in something called a 'solid state drive'. This uses no spinning platter, and so performance when caching documents, programs, browsers etc is greatly improved. These days you can pick one up for fairly cheap at competitive prices compared to normal hard disk drives today.

And lastly, when you install your new SSD, only put in your Operating System of choice and leave all those other files you mentioned (ones you kept for years on different computers) on an external hard drive. That way you save space, and only the required files you need upon request will be...
Hello there, you mentioned that you were using an external hard drive for a few years, yet in the description you were using an internal hard drive? You might want to invest in something called a 'solid state drive'. This uses no spinning platter, and so performance when caching documents, programs, browsers etc is greatly improved. These days you can pick one up for fairly cheap at competitive prices compared to normal hard disk drives today.

And lastly, when you install your new SSD, only put in your Operating System of choice and leave all those other files you mentioned (ones you kept for years on different computers) on an external hard drive. That way you save space, and only the required files you need upon request will be cached. Since you are not using it for gaming, or intense graphical editing you do not need to upgrade your GPU. Hopefully, this helps Good luck!
 
Solution


I think that the WD Passport external drive is ssd (is that at odds with me feeling the vibes through it though?) and that I've had it for a few years makes me wonder if it's giving out (I've read that SSD's have a shorter life than spindle type hard drives). I've plugged it into the USB 3.0 port and switched to a micro-b plug (though it's designed for a macro-b) under the theory that it might be the lame cord that came with my phone that's shorting (the drive disappeared a couple of times since I posted). I am intending to do the files on the external drive and the programs on the internal drive. I'm kicking myself a bit for getting a spindle type drive rather than an SSD for the internal drive. I'm intending to update the rig just intermittently as I can afford it (for instance, I wanted to try Arkham Knight because my kids suggested it, but after I downloaded it I got angry text about my graphics card, and so ordered a Sapphire Pulse RX550: Still low end, but totally sufficient for rare gaming), so I think and SSD internal will be moved up on my "to-get" list. Along with a blu-ray writer. And more RAM. And... 😉
Thanks for the feedback: I appreciate it.