Slow Windows startup and overall laptop performance slower and not upto the mark

[NInja92]

I have been using this HP notebook (which has an 8GB RAM, Intel Core i5-8250 Chip, INTEL UHD Graphics 620, NVIDIA GeForce MX10), for the last 2 years on a Windows 10 v1809 OS. However, the performance of the system has slowed down over the years. For the last few months, it takes around 4-5 mins to even land up on the windows password login page. It takes up further 2-3 mins to load up the desktop and to be finaly be in use. I have disabled the software which would have a high startup impact but still face this issue, The performance when I had bought was not this slow; it takes a lot to even open up a web browser and the windows explorer even hangs up a lot even when there are not many applications running simultaneously. Many times, it even hangs up while switching between applications. It feels like I am using a Pentium 3 processor in spite of the high configuration. I haven't updated the OS though. It is still the 2019 version. I have run the HP hardware diagnostics and tuneup software as well which shows everything is fine. The performance experienced these days is not up to the mark of 8GB RAM and i5 processor. Whenever I open the task manager page to check for the performance, there is a second GPU (named GPU1-NVIDIA GeForce MX10) which is never ever used, I have attached the screenshot for the same. Please let me know what can be done to resolve the slowdown of the system and unleash the full potential of my laptop other than formatting and OS reinstalling, I have tried various other software but in vain,Task Manager

[TheOldMan · Accepted solution]

The screenshot shows allot of disk activity but not much CPU load, so it would lead me to believe the hard disk is failing.  Also indicated by the symptoms described.  I assume you have antivirus software and it does not report a problem.  If you do not have a good antivirus software, the PC might be infected, which could also give those symptoms, but I would expect more CPU activity with an infection.

At the moment, lets check the hard drive and not be too concerned about the graphics question.

To run the Diagnostics routine, Start tapping the Esc key BEFORE starting the PC and then press the start button.
Keep tapping the Esc key until a popup menu shows. Then pick Diagnostics from that popup menu, F2.
Report back with the results.

[NInja92]

I did perform the hardware test within the Diagnostics and the Long DST test FAILED. What do I do next? Should I have to replace the hard disk? And yes my antivirus rever reports any virus so I suspect something is wrong with it though I update it regularly. I am using Windows Defender as other available antivirus programs slow down the sytem.

[TheOldMan]

The long test indicates the drive will fail in the near future, so plan on replacing the drive very soon.  If the drive does fail before you replace it, all your data may be lost, so now is a good time to back the data.  It would be easiest to replace the drive now and then you can clone the old drive to the new one - this will make it easier than a complete reinstall of everything, unless you wish to have a clean install  of Windows.

Windows Defender is a good antivirus and is adequate for protection, according to Microsoft.  As long as that is the only antivirus installed, do not run more than one antivirus software, however. 

According to the spec page, the hard drive is 1 TB 5400 rpm SATA.  That is a common size and fairly inexpensive.  If you wish to replace that drive with a SSD, that would speed the system up nicely for a slightly higher cost than a regular hard drive.  Most SSD SATA drives will fit without much/any trouble and some have cloning software available from the manufacturer to make the switch-over easy.

[NInja92]

How come internal HDD fails so soon? I have used it for only 2.4 years. I have an HDD of an older laptop which is still running for more than 7 years. Can you suggest some cloning software? Will replacing boost up the PC performance? Hoe do I speed up until I replace?

[TheOldMan]

Replacing the failing drive with a SSD will be most noticeable.  Adding more RAM (memory) will help, too.  Being you already have 8GB it might not be a great improvement, however.

If the present drive is failing, that will cause slowness but can still be working.  I would do that first.  Hard drives can vary on life span.  Some can fail early.  On a laptop - being handled roughly can cause hard drive problems, especially if laptop is on when it gets banged around.  If you do replace the hard drive with a SSD, the manufacturer can/will provide the cloning software.  SanDisk has Acronis True Image Support available on their website.  Samsung has their own migration software.

WD and Seagate also have cloning software on their websites if you get one of their regular drives.

If that does not happen to be the drive you purchase to replace the failing drive, Acronis True Image is a good cloning software, and as well as EaseUS Todo Backup,  Macrium Reflect, AOMEI Backupper  offer free cloning software.

[NInja92]

Thanks for all your responses.

[TheOldMan]

You are welcome. 

Glad to help