HP Pavilion hard drive response time is very slow but tests pass (evenutally)

[tr3v]

I have owned a HP Pavilion M1199a originally running Windows XP, but has been running Windows Vista 32-bit for the last 3 years or more.

The PC started to lock up for 30 seconds or more (2 weeks ago), with the disk light constantly on then go again for no apparent reason. These lock ups have become more frequent and for longer durations. I removed anti-virus software, and a few other applications/services but generally this computer is fairly clean as I use it as a media center PC. 

I have tried checking the disk (SATA) for errors, and it passes although the tests take a lot longer than they should. The resource monitor shows no excess CPU usage and there is plenty of memory available. The disk monitor shows response times of 5000-20000 ms.

What is the best way to proceed from here? Is there a SATA controller or motherboard (ASUS PTGD1-LA) test? Should I buy another SATA drive and try that? I suspect that it is either the drive, drive controller and/or the motherboard that is failing but I don't know how to isolate the problem. The computer hardware configuration has remained the same for years.

The OS has the automatic updates enabled and I uninstalled the recent ones in case they were somehow causing an issue. 

[erico]

Have you ever:

1)  Cleared the tmp folder?

2)  Run the system file checker?

3) Tested your memory modules?

[tr3v]

Thanks for replying.

1/ No, but I am running Vista, so assume this will be the same? Or should I just look at the tmp and temp environment variables to see what folders are being used?

2/ Yes. It completes after a very long time. 

5/ No - but will try this out too. 

[erico]

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tr3v wrote:

Thanks for replying.

1/ No, but I am running Vista, so assume this will be the same? Or should I just look at the tmp and temp environment variables to see what folders are being used?

 In Vista type temp in the Search programs and files box and double click on the temp files icon that appears above. Delete all the files in the folder that you can. It is safe as they are exactly what they are called and that is temporary files. If you haven't done this ever or in quite a while there should be a noticeable increase in the operating system's response time.

2/ Yes. It completes after a very long time. 

5/ No - but will try this out too. 

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[tr3v]

The memory test passed. But the low level disk check reported an error this time, so I have bought a new drive to see if that is the problem. If the new drive fails, then I know its the SATA controller which is on the motherboard unfortunately. Fingers crossed!

Thanks for your help. 

[erico]

You can run chkdsk from a command prompt  to attempt to correct hard disk issues. It is cheaper than buying a new hard disk.

[tr3v]

Thanks, but chkdsk does not run properly. This was one of the first things I tried, The checks time out due to the disk response time which I believe is due to either the disk controller or the actual disk itself. 

[erico]

Have you considered connecting the disk  to another desktop PC with the same operating system and running chkdsk? This would be a way to  isolate the issue in a more direct and less costly manner.

If you know the brand of the disk there is also software available at most hard disk manufacturer's websites that will perform a diagnostic on the hard disk.  That may be a simpler solution for you. Post the brand and I will see if I can provideo you wityh a link to the software. Hard disk manufacturer's diagnostic tests do give definitive answers on the viability of their products.