Laptop insanely slow

[Essere]

I bought this laptop a few monts ago and it is way too slow. I knew that it would be a bit slow with the 5400 RPM HDD, but I never thought it would be so bad. So I downloaded the PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows and ran every single test available. I ran the System Extensive Tests at 6:33 PM.  Later on, it was 5:20 AM when I went to sleep and not even the FIRST test was completed. That was the Long Drive Self-Test (Disk Read Verify ( Disk_0_HGST HTS541010B7E610). On the PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows website, it says that the long drive test takes 2 hours or even more. Well, from 2 hours (or more) to about 12 hours....I feel that's way too much. 

The gaming is ok. In-game, the laptop feels ok. The big problems are with the boots, restarts, browsers. Sometimes it takes about 5 minutes to completely restart the laptop. Tried Windows 7,8 and 10, nothing works.

I know that I have to buy an SSD, and I will, but first I want to fix this. 

I don't know if the board matches with my problem, but I feel like it's a hardware problem here. What can I do ?

[Riddle_Decipher · Accepted solution]

@Essere the tests usually take a long time, however, this seems too long and it usually stretches when there's an error on the drive, I recommend you run a quick test (10mins standard time), and if that takes a long time too, let us know and we'll work on a solution, also before you attempt the test, perform a hard reset using the steps in this link: Click here

P.S: Welcome to HP Forums! 😉

Let me know how that pans out,

If you feel I was helpful, simply click on Accept as Solution to help the community grow,

That said, I will have someone follow-up on this to ensure you've been helped,

Just in case you don't get back to us within 24 - 48hrs, and have a good day, ahead.

[Essere]

I am deeply sorry for replying so late. College is demanding a lot this time of the year.  I did what you advised me to. The quick tests were...well, pretty quick. They never reached the 5 minutes mark. And nothing has changed since the hard reset. It's just the Long Drive Self-Test with problems. And definitely the restarts and the starts. Also, while in a specific game, if I try to ALT-TAB to desktop and then go back to the game, the laptop completely freezes. But that occurs randomly. 

I will buy an SSD as soon as I finish all my exams, and it will surely help.

[Riddle_Decipher]

@Essere It's better late than never, welcome back!

I suggest you try these documents as well: for steps to resolve issues when the Computer Is Slow before getting the SSD replaced, to be on a safer side.

Good luck.