Extreme Slowness

[jimspy]

Who can help me pinpoint my slowness problem?  I think I know some of the likely culprits, such as Google Chrome, lots of little utilities running in the software tray, etc., but I really think the problem is hardware/memory/disk access related.  How can I narrow this down?

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System Information Report

General
Operating System Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Central Processor AMD E2-1800 APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics
User Name Speiser's
Graphics
Video Adapter AMD Radeon HD 7340 Graphics
Video Memory 384.0 MB
Screen Resolution 1680 x 1050
Storage
Total Memory 5.6 GB
Free Memory 2.9 GB
Total Hard disk 1396.6 GB
Free Hard disk 1137.5 GB
I/O
Mouse HID-compliant mouse
Keyboard Logitech USB Input Device
Computer System
Computer Name NEW-ALPINE-SERVER
User Name Tom Bacon
Organization Hewlett-Packard Company
Operating System
OS Name Microsoft Windows 10 Home
OS Version 10.0.18362
Product ID 00326-10000-00000-AA564
System Up Time 11/10/2020 6:52:51 PM
Internet Explorer Version 11.1139.18362.0
Microsoft DirectX Version DirectX 12
OpenGL Version 10.0.18362.387 (WinBuild.160101.0800)
Registry
Maximum Size 4095 MB
Current Size 148 MB
Status OK
Central Processor
CPU Name AMD E2-1800 APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics
Number of Logical Processors 2
Code Name Model 2, Stepping 0
Manufacturer AuthenticAMD
Current Clock Speed 1700 Mhz
Max Clock Speed 1700 Mhz
Voltage 1.4V
External Clock 100 Mhz
Serial Number 00500F20178BFBFF
CPU ID AMD64 Family 20 Model 2 Stepping 0
Socket Designation P0
L1 CACHE 128 KB
L2 CACHE 1024 KB
Motherboard
Model 2AE4
Manufacturer PEGATRON CORPORATION
Serial Number 3CR2240VQ5
BIOS Name 7.07
BIOS Vendor AMI
SMBIOS Version 7.07
BIOS Date 4/9/2012
BIOS Features
PCI is supported Yes
Plug and Play is supported Yes
BIOS is Upgradable (Flash) Yes
BIOS shadowing is allowed Yes
Boot from CD is supported Yes
Selectable Boot is supported Yes
EDD (Enhanced Disk Drive) Specification is supported Yes
Int 5h, Print Screen Service is supported Yes
Int 9h, 8042 Keyboard services are supported Yes
Int 14h, Serial Services are supported Yes
Int 17h, printer services are supported Yes
ACPI supported Yes
USB Legacy is supported Yes
Memory Resource
Total Memory 5.6 GB
Used Memory 2.7 GB
Free Memory 2.9 GB
Memory Usage 48%
Physical Memory
Memory Bank A1_BANK0
Description Physical Memory 0
Device Locator A1_DIMM0
Capacity 4.0 GB
Speed 1333 Mhz
Manufacturer Ramaxel
Data Width 64 bit
Memory Type EISA
Form Factor DIMM
Physical Memory
Memory Bank A1_BANK1
Description Physical Memory 1
Device Locator A1_DIMM1
Capacity 2.0 GB
Speed 1333 Mhz
Manufacturer Kingston
Data Width 64 bit
Memory Type EISA
Form Factor DIMM

[WAWood]

@jimspy 

It's not likely to be memory, or you would be having program crashing problems and error messages about insufficient memory.

This issue is often due to a failing drive. So, let's check that first, because if it is failing, it would need to be replaced and there is no point then in doing anything else until we confirm that.

If your PC is new enough to support UEFI, you can use these steps to test the hard drive: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00439024

If not, to check the drive you have to follow these steps:
1) Press Esc key repeatedly, several times a second, while rebooting the laptop. Do NOT hold the key down, just press it over and over.
2) Eventually, you will see an HP Startup Menu
3) Press the Function key for testing the hard drive (usually F2) and let it run.

[jimspy]

I will attempt these steps today. But be advised, I still think it's a memory issue, as I do have quite a bit running, and the memory usage, CPU, and Disk Access spike quite often.  I don't think it's bad memory, just a lack thereof.  

I'll keep you posted.   Thanks. 

[WAWood]

@jimspy 

All three of those spike when Windows Update runs -- which it does every week and while that is usually on Wednesday, I've had updates recently hit on Fridays.

[jimspy]

ok, I got to the Startup Menu. I hit F2, and the computer "shut down."  I mean the monitor is saying "No Signal" ---but the power light on the computer is lit.  What dd I do?