Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2009 10:09 pm |
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Reggie;
Here are some possible causes of the recent slowness to load your once fast loading tracks.
- One or more RAM modules are going bad/failing
- The memory controller chipset is going bad
- Leaking electrolytic capacitors are damaging the motherboard around the CPU and RAM slots
- The boot hard drive is failing
- Dust build-up is blocking circulation in the case, causing overheating of the CPU and hard drives
- Cross-linked files, or other data errors are messing up the hard drives
- Bad sectors are developing on the boot drive, damaging system files, or the files used by the recording program
What to do?
First, use a vacuum cleaner to remove all of the dust and hair that you can find in the case, on the fans, heatsinks, sockets and all case vent slots and breather holes. Bad circulation will cause thermal slowdown, or even sudden shutdowns.
Second, with the case open from vacuuming it, grab a flashlight, or narrow-beam work light and shine it on the motherboard. Closely examine all of the round cylindrical electrolytic capacitors on the top of the board. If you see the tops bulging and any fluid oozing out, you found the culprit. Replace the motherboard, as it is about to become a piece of toast.
Third, if the computer runs on Windows, close all open applications, then locate and double-click on the shortcut icon for (My) Computer to open it to an icon view of your disks and drives. Right click on the C drive icon and select Properties. On the Disk Properties box click on the Tools tab. On the Tools page, under Error-Checking, click on the "Check Now" button. Check both option boxes in the Check Disk box, then click "Start."
Since you are doing this when Windows is running and the drive cannot be locked in time to perform the error checking, you will get a pop-up asking if you wish to schedule a disk check the next time the computer restarts. Say Yes, or OK, Apply, then close that disk's properties and move on the the second disk drive in question. Select the same two options for the other hard drive and click Start. The error check will start on that drive immediately and take time to complete.
When the second disk check has completed note any reports about errors and bad sectors (maybe save the report). Then, reboot the computer. Do not touch any keys during the reboot process. A text message will announce that a disk check has been scheduled to occur within 10 seconds. If you so much as touch any keyboard keys you will instantly bypass this necessary procedure, which you scheduled minutes earlier.
Note the errors and any bad sectors reported as the scans finish. Any bad sectors indicate that the disk drive is failing. Other file system errors will usually be corrected by this process (chkdsk).
Note, that only users with full Administrator privileges can run Chkdsk from within Windows.
If the problems were only file system errors, or cross-linked files, Chkdsk will usually fix them. Bad sectors are usually terminal. If you get a report about bad sectors you will need to replace the drive that is failing. Since cloning also copies bad sectors you will need to copy the data to an external drive, or memory stick, then replace the disk and re-install the OS, all device drivers, all service packs and patches, all security apps, then all productivity applications.
If you have installed Acronis True Image and saved a good image when the system worked as intended, it can be restored to the new hard drive, saving a day's work.
Fourth, if the disks do not have bad sectors and running chkdsk does not fix the problem, test the RAM for errors or failures.
You can remove your RAM modules from their slots and take them to a reputable computer repair shop, or custom builder, or Best Buy location and have them tested for data errors. Or, just buy a matched pair of Crucial memory modules compatible with your PC brand and model, or motherboard.
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If none of the above correct the slowness, try uninstalling and reinstalling the recording program, then reset the required buffer sizes.
If that doesn't fix the problem, the OS may have become corrupted. You will have to reinstall your operating system and all service packs and updates and re-activate Windows. Perhaps a Repair reinstall will save Windows, or, maybe running the Command SFC /Scannow, from the RUN box, or a DOS window, with the Windows (XP) CD inserted into the CD drive will find and replace corrupted files.
Hopefully, one of these steps will resolve the problem.
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"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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