My laptop still slow after resetting it.

Hi Christine,

Issue for the slow responses could be different and related to hard drive issue as well.

Let's start with these steps:

1. Check all driver, all should be updated from developer website
2. Check system files:

• Check your Memory and Hardware -
• Open the Search charm > type in “Memory Diagnostic” > open the Windows Memory Diagnostic utility.
• In the new window which opens, select one of the two options available. The first one will restart Windows immediately and let the system scan the RAM.
• If it will return an error, then you have your answer. Replace the RAM of your computer and everything should be working properly.
• On the other hand, if the scan didn’t return any errors, then the problem resides elsewhere.
• Repair your registry to fix corrupted files -
• Go to Start > type cmd> right-click Command Prompt > select Run as Administrator
• Now type the sfc /scannow command
• Wait for the scanning process to complete and then restart your computer. All corrupted files will be replaced on reboot.
• Check your disk for errors -
• Start Command Prompt as administrator and type the chkdsk C: /f command followed by Enter. Replace C with the letter of your hard drive partition.
• As a quick reminder, if you do not use the /f parameter, chkdsk displays a message that the file needs to be fixed, but it does not fix any errors. The chkdsk D: /f command detects and repairs logical issues affecting your drive. To repair physical issues, run the /r parameter as well.

Look at this article: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/400201...

Let me know how it goes

Increase your RAM to 8GB.  I did this for my wife and she said it made a world of difference.

Sorry to hear you are having problems Ms. Christine,

I will give you the best course of action based on my 13 years of experience with laptops. The first step is to access the hardware and it's age and overall state of being in three steps.

First establish is your laptop under warranty and if it is send it in without hesitation they will handle the issue with your laptop and reinstall the os if necessary or replace failed parts. If not in warranty look up the model number to determine the age of the laptop if it's more than 6 years old you may want to consider buying a new laptop to ensure it's functionally, sometimes older laptop are not cost effective to repair.

For a basic laptop diagnostic turn it off, pull the battery and charging cable let it sit for about 10 minute so it totally discharges.

In quiet area After 10 minutes replace the battery and press the power listen for any clicks(clicks are usually a bad thing) this will let you know if your hard drive arm is operating. You can put your ear on the back of the laptop and you should be able to hear the harddrive spinning unless you have an ssd.

Let it fully boot up and then place you hand near the fan exhaust port and if feels really hot(like as hot or hotter than a blower dryer) then you may have a blockage or clog due to dust particulates. You can use compressed air to blow it out carefully. A HOT COMPUTER PROCESSOR FREEZES AND EXHIBITS THE PROBLEMS YOU MENTIONED, if this is your problem you may need a new mother board which is extremely expensive and usually is better to replace the entire computer.

To check your ram if you have two sticks like most current laptops do, go on YouTube with your laptop model and carefully remove one stick if it fails to boot it's the ram, and if it boots and is slow it's the other ram stick.

Overall if you did a reset and it's still slow it's a hardware issue

Hope this helps,
Yomi Thomas

Test the hard drive with diagnostics: https://www.lifewire.com/free-hard-drive-testin.... Best is Seatools bootable Long Test which works on all models: http://blog.nowherelan.com/2013/04/04/boot-seat....

Follow that up with a full Disk Check, from the Command Prompt if necessary: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

Hi Christine. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

Be aware that the Reset is not at all a Clean Install. Look over this tutorial for the gold-standard Clean Install which should get you past all difficulties as it has hundreds of thousands of others who have followed the steps in this link and never come back to report another problem: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Until then you can go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

Update your drivers from the PC maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service tag from sticker on PC. Compare the latest drivers with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

Test your RAM overnight to stress it with a more reliable bootable test, following these steps which test both the sticks and the slots: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram...