Slow lagging dump of a laptop

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
H

headofmimir

Aug 12, 2018
14
0
10
Hi folks,

I have a HP inter core i5 laptop, a few years old now but for what I need it for and the rare times I use it, I'm quite happy with the out of date tech.

However, recently it's being very slow and takes an age to load and comparing the specs vs my work laptop it shouldn't be like this. I've uninstalled various programs that I don't use and it's still making me want to throw it out of the window. I click to open a folder etc and the lag is noticeable.I'm not tech savvy in the slightest so my apologies in advance for asking the obvious questions etc

Specs are as follows :
Windows 10
Inter Core i5 2.4GHZ
RAM - 6.00GB
64bit Operating system x64-based processor

That's the basic info I could pull. Any ideas as to what slows laptops down and how I can get this old thing firing on all cylinders again?
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
H

headofmimir

Aug 12, 2018
14
0
10
Hello COLGeek,

I removed a fair few applications such as torrent programs and I believe the Anti virus software I had installed was Avira - this seem to have various off shoot applications such 'Shopping' etc all installed and I noticed it was always the one popping up after a restart so I removed it. Windows defender kicked in and highlighted a few virus' or malware etc. Quarantined and removed. Currently running a full scan. Also, I have gone through the list of installed programs and I can see the Avira program still has a folder on the hard drive, should I just delete that?

HD - 572 GB free of 697. I don't have much saved locally.

I purchased a Samsung Tablet recently and they gave me McCafe anti virus software, I have it installed on that but have the option to install on multiple devices, should I install that or is windows defender a good program?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
COLGeek

COLGeek

Cybernaut
Moderator
Apr 6, 2009
56,522
4,205
179,340
Get Malwarebytes and scan your system with it. You can get the free version here:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/thankyou/

This will initially be a full-featured trial version that will revert to the free version at some point. I have been using the free version for years (personal use).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
H

headofmimir

Aug 12, 2018
14
0
10
Should I stop the Windows defender scan? It's taking it's royal time for a 'Quick Scan'! not even half way yet.

Based on the specs of this laptop, should it still operate at a reasonable speed?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
therealduckofdeath

therealduckofdeath

Honorable
May 10, 2012
783
0
11,160
Windows 10 defaults to a power efficient setting on laptops, I think. Try move the battery saving slider all the way over to best performance. Is the laptop fan unusually noisy, like, running all the time? If it is you probably have to clean the fans out. The easiest way to do that is with a can of compressed air. Blow it into the vent holes of the laptop. Do this outdoors or in the bathroom as there will be a lot of dust coming out...

Also, make sure you only have one antivirus or malware protection installed. Having more than one will definitely slow a PC down as they will hog all resources when "fighting" for access to the files.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
H

headofmimir

Aug 12, 2018
14
0
10
Okay, I'll install that software that's been recommended. I've just checked the battery settings - set to middle - balanced. I've cranked that up to full power. I'll do a timer test from start up to fully loaded as well.

The fans do kick in but nothing that would suggest it's out of the ordinary...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
COLGeek

COLGeek

Cybernaut
Moderator
Apr 6, 2009
56,522
4,205
179,340
Removing the Avira folder is fine if you previously uninstalled it.

Evicting dust bunnies is a good habit to retain optimal airflow and cooling.

Malwarebytes will co-exist nicely with Defender. That is the combo I use on all of my Windows rigs and I have never had an issue.

As previously notes, if you installed something like Bitdefender or AVG, you could create the conflict condition noted. Even then, Malwarebytes will work okay along side those products. When using one of those, Defender is typically disabled. But, don't install two such products as duck indicated. Doing so will negatively impact performance.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
H

headofmimir

Aug 12, 2018
14
0
10
Okay, so the Malware scan is done. It found 12 'threat's - all were tagged as potential unwanted program so I quarantined and removed. Did a stop watch timer test from laptop off to fully loaded and it took 2 minutes 15 seconds. My understanding was Windows 10 was supposed to boot up and be ready to go a lot quicker than that?

What other steps can you advise?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
H

headofmimir

Aug 12, 2018
14
0
10
Just had a look - currently 7 programs are set to enabled

Avira - now disabled.
Dropbox Update (4 )
hkcmd module
igfx tray module
persistence module
Synaptics Touchpad 64-bit enhancement
Windows Defender Notification Icon
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
H

headofmimir

Aug 12, 2018
14
0
10
Okay I downloaded that registry key cleaner - said it couldn't clean all whilst in normal mode and to boot in safe mode which I did. Deleted all registry keys. Found the Avira folder and it wouldn't allow me to delete, said it couldn't whilst it was running....Task Manager showed Avira running?? It's not in the program list because I uninstalled it and also done the registry key deletion. Stopped the program, deleted folder. Saw a Service Host prog called SuperFetch running with high CPU usage. Quick Google search later - stopped and disabled from starting up. I've also disabled DropBox as suggested. Now to do a quick restart and time it..
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
COLGeek

COLGeek

Cybernaut
Moderator
Apr 6, 2009
56,522
4,205
179,340
Those are typical laptop (of that era and config) benchmarks. Regarding system startup times, you HDD is a significant contributor and why many switch them out for SSDs these days. Your laptop memory and integrated GPU contribute to overall system performance, but to startup times a lesser extent.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
H

headofmimir

Aug 12, 2018
14
0
10
So with everything currently done, this is more or less the fastest I'll get this rig to start up? I rarely use my personal laptop as most things can be used and done on the phone/tab. The only thing I use this for now is if i'm booking flights or editing certain docs etc but It would be nice if it was like when I first bought it. I would say the lagging etc is a contributing factor to usage time. Plus the fact it's quite bulky when you compare it to the note book type laptops you can see.

I take it everyone here is familiar with the Apple Macbooks ( I am not an Apple product user ) their laptops are amazing thin and light, what reasonably priced laptop is similar to that in terms of weight and style?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
H

headofmimir

Aug 12, 2018
14
0
10
Yes once it starts and is warmed up it seems to function as it should, granted there will be times when I click the start menu and it could take a few seconds or there is a noticeable 'lag' etc but when I compare it to my work laptop which is not as good as this, it's performing poorly. To give an idea, work laptop could at any point have 15+ tabs open on Chrome, Outlook, various work programs etc and it performs great. I crack open 15 tabs here and I'll start turning grey....

I'll download the HDD testing tool now and report back with results.

In terms of budget, I wouldn't want to spend more than £500? However that isn't set in stone. I just would rather not go crazy on something which I'll probably use whilst laying in bed to watch movies on ( even thought I have a new Samsung tab! ) .
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
H

headofmimir

Aug 12, 2018
14
0
10
DFT for windows has been installed but I don't think it's working. I click on Scan or Quick Test and nothing happens. It says underneath the buttons "Please double click the target line of HDD to show SMART/Test log"
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom