Laptop Extremely Slow

[Margo1]

Hello. This is my first laptop and I am extremely frustrated with the problems I am having, especially since my HP Windows 10 tower is currently being serviced by HP.

My processor is an Processor AMD A6-9220 RADEON R4, 5 COMPUTE CORES 2C+3G, 2500 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)

Processor= 1.8GHz

Memory = 8 GB

Motherboard= HP 8332

Graphics=AMD Radeon(TM) R4 Graphics

I have an Ethernet wired connection, headphone, and power plug, and mouse attached to it.

Also, the Windows Creator Update is constantly trying to install, but it fails. I am currently working on this problem.

Since I first received it, the laptop has been extremely slow and sometimes freezes. When I am listening to a Youtube video, the sound comes on and off.  Even though I have McAfee Security, when I click on it, it has not come up on the screen numerous times.

Is this the best I can expect or is there something I can do to increase the speed?

Thank you.

[IT_WinSec · Accepted solution]

Hello @Margo1

Thank you for posting in the HP Support forum. Happy holidays !

I checked your PC parameters. Your slowest part is the Hard Disk Drive which is of 5400 RPM type. Other than that the specs are ~ OK. Most likely your issues are software related - Windows 10, Windows 10 automatic updating and McAfee. McAfee is known to cause slow down issues on certain PCs and Windows 10 is to blame with its automatic update on its own (which is also a slow process)

- uninstall McAfee from Apps and Features (or Control Panel -> Programs and features)

- restart the PC

- download and run now the McAfee consumer product removal tool which is supposed to get rid of all McAfee leftovers >> http://us.mcafee.com/apps/supporttools/mcpr/mcpr.asp

- restart the PC once again

Go to Microsoft website to manually update to Fall Creators Update (latest version)

>> https://aka.ms/eojpj8

The recommended method is to utilize the Update Assistant. To do so, click the Update Now button on the Software Download Site. Alternatively, you can download and run the Media Creation Tool on the same site, which will help you perform a clean installation or reinstall of Windows 10. This make take a very long time - be patient, please.

** Eventually, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, ensure all updates are applied.

Several other things:

- defragment your Hard Disk Drive (if you have hard disk drive) > https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8933-optimize-defrag-drives-windows-10-a.html

- run Disk Clean Up - cleanmgr.exe > https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3012-disk-cleanup-open-use-windows-10-a.html

Remove unneeded and temporary files. Download and run CCLeaner (from Piriform) with the extra options checked. Here are instructions

>> http://www.howtogeek.com/113382/how-to-use-ccleaner-like-a-pro-9-tips-tricks/

>> http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download/portable 

Scan your PC for threats, viruses, malware...

.... Run AdwCleaner >>https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/

.... Run Kaspersky TDSS Killer >> http://media.kaspersky.com/utilities/VirusUtilities/EN/tdsskiller.exe

Let me know in details if they found something and what it was....

Uninstall any programs you definitely do not use but you think might be a bit high on resources. You can uninstall them from Control Panel > Programs and features

Disable unnecessary start-up programs to speed up the start-up process and the PC in general >> https://www.groovypost.com/howto/disable-startup-programs-windows-10/

Restart the PC eventually and let me know how it goes.

[Margo1]

Thank you for your detailed response. I had to use the ISO to download the Windows 10 software with the new Creators Update because I couldn't get my updates to work. Now they seem to work.

I am assuming that when you tell me to uninstall the McAfee security program, that I should use the Windows anti-virus program. Is this anti-virus and firewall from Windows all that I need to secure the computer from viruses, malware, etc?

The computer is running faster now.

PS: I want to accept your post as a solution, but I don't see the button to do so. How do I get to it?

[Margo1]

UPDATE: I found the Accept as Solution button.:smileyhappy:

[IT_WinSec]

---

@Margo1 wrote:

I am assuming that when you tell me to uninstall the McAfee security program, that I should use the Windows anti-virus program. Is this anti-virus and firewall from Windows all that I need to secure the computer from viruses, malware, etc?

---

Yes, usually Windows Firewall (Windows Defender Firewall) and Windows Defender (the anvirus) is better than McAfee, in my opinion.

For some customers, I use and recommend ESET Smart Security from ESET (www.eset.com) because of its advanced firewall capacibilities but in order to utilize all the advanced options there for enhanced protection, you might need advanced technical knowledge re. networking and firewalls. ESET has good detection, very low false positives,

good malware removal and decent scanning speed.

In my opinion, McAfee is not very effective and causes lots of issues. As long as I can remember myself, McAfee has always been somewhat clumsy and causing slow downs or other issues. Windows Defender and the Windows Firewall does not slow down PCs most of the time, they are built-in and free.

As additional protection (free), you may want to download/use these free utilities :

Autorun Eater >> http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Secure-cleaning/Autorun-Eater.shtml

Protects in real-time agains malware from USB devices, memory cards, pendrives, autoruns malware

Browser add-ins (for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, etc) like UBlock Origin  and  Disconnect

Protects agains unwanted adds, malicious websites, etc

You might also want to install:

ESET Online Scanner - free unlimited on-demand scans (no protection, just scan/check/remove) in case you do not use ESET but other products

Thank you for marking the post as a solution/ thread solved. I am glad your issue is resolved/improved.

Don't hesitate to post again.

[Kayaker1]

I have the same laptop. The CPU runs at 100% with chrome , edge or firefox. 

After many calls and chat sessions I was rung buy someone high up in HP who informed me that the A series AMD possessors did not work well with Windows 10.

I was told that both AMD and Microsoft were looking to find a way to make an improvement.

I have an older HP laptop with  an intel i5 dual core that works brilliantly. Way faster (but only on Win 8 but not 8.1 or 10 ) 

I had a previous laptop with an A4 and 4 gb of ram that worked fine on win 7 so I am inclined to believe that it is an issue with the A series and windows 10 .

I must say that given that  PH had a lot of complaints and must have know about the AMD a series problem that I am a bit disappointed  that the laptop was still for sale.

It does do all the windows office stuff fine and other calculations . It is mainly disappointing for browsing and for some reason Facebook is the worst. (not really a problem). 

I turned off "inking" and Cortana and a heap of other stuff in settings and that helped with the general computing.