hp pavilion 15-au639tx (1ac91pa#akl) Is the worst computer I have ever owned

[Denizen]

The computer has become very slow again. It is the worst computer I have ever owned.

This morning the CPU was operating at 100% while the computer was idle. I have never previously seen the CPU at 100%.

I will never buy a HP again after this. The HP support function is unhelpful.

So far I haven't found anything on the forums that is helpful

[iomare]

Hi,

You should try updating the PC completly and see if it helps.

If the CPU is at 100%, there must be some process using this power (have you looked in device manager to see why the CPU is at 100%)

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebooks-Knowledge-Base/New-notebook-running-slow/ta-p/7057949

Personally, I would upgrade the notebook and it would become a really powerful and fast PC.

You could add another 4GB of RAM in the empty slot for a total of 8GB (max 32GB) DDR4 2400MHz

Example:

https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/HP-Compaq/pavilion-15-au639tx#MEMORYFilters

On page 35 of service manual you can see how this is done.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05228250

You should also replace the 2.5" HDD with a 2.5" SATA3 SSD and reinstall the OS on it. It will make a great difference to performance.

Let me know if you need any help with the above.

Regards,

David

[Denizen]

I already have 8 GB of RAM since new and the RAM has never reached 100% utilization.

I don't believe in upgrading computers. I consider upgrades a waste of money for a computer that is more than 2-years-old. More convenient to buy a new computer with an SSD.

Furthermore reinstalling all the software and files is tedious.

I am of the opinion it is in the interest of PC Manufacturers, Intel, and Microsoft not provide solutions to computer slowdown as computers age because the absence of solutions causes more sales of computers as users replace slow computers.

[iomare]

If the CPU is running at 100% when idle there is some kind of problem with either the software installed (OS, Drivers, Personal software) or some kind of hardware problem.

You could try performing a system test at boot by entering Hardware diagnostics:

Turn off the PC by holding the power button. Turn on PC and continuously keep pressing ESC until the startup menu appears and then press F2 to enter diagnostics. Try the fast system test.

See if there are any hardware errors.

Now, about hardware becoming outdated is probably true, even if I have Windows 10 on older PCs than yours and feel good using them. Some upgrades are just so noticeable, such as replacing the HDD with an SSD and a low price that it actually makes the PC seem like a new PC in the performance in everyday usage.

I mean, the hardware usually becomes "old" when it can not deal with the software you are using on it.

You say you have 8GB of RAM. The specs say that the notebook has 4GB of DDR4 2133 MHz RAM (and 4GB of dedicated video RAM), they could be wrong or you have already updated?

https://support.hp.com/ca-en/document/c05368574

So, if you upgraded the PC with a 2,5" SATA3 SSD

Example:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0781Z7Y3S/ref=twister_B07P5VF5TL?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

and have at least 8GB of DDR4 2400MHz RAM (which will run at 2133MHz)

Example:

https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/HP-Compaq/pavilion-15-au639tx#MEMORYFilters

you would need to buy a quite expensive replacement notebook to beat its specs.

Hope it helps

David