New Computer Teething Problems

[»X«]

Was a deal on offer at the time. Mixed with the fact, I never fully think things through if you want me to be honest. :p

[Foxxx428]

Try pulling that third stick and then recheck your memory settings in the bios and then see how it performs.

[»X«]

lol oddly I did that earlier. Although the manual for the motherboard says it won't show up as duel channel with 3 sticks, it does in the BIOS. But when I removed and tried installing, the same problems remained.

[Robbie Ride]

How does your computer perform without the 120GB Samsung HDD connected but with the 1.5TB Western Digital Drive connected thats assuming that your OS isn't installed on the 12GB Drive, if it is why not install Windows on the 1.5TB Drive and check if performance improves

[»X«]

Its possible yea, I could try installing the OS to the 1.5TB. But is there a way of testing for sure? Rather than keep having to install GTA IV all the time :p

Im backing up some important files onto the other HD (250 GB_) as the 1.5 houses all my important data. Is the attached transfer speeds good for my system?

[Foxxx428]

Use the VHD feature of Windows 7. Is there a jumper on that drive that's set to sata 1.5 instead of 3.0 by chance?

[»X«]

If you see this post above, the manual states there is, but it doesnt tell me how to do it. Unless I'm missing something.

[Foxxx428]

Right I saw that but it doesn't really show you anything. Basically if there are no jumpers at all it should be in 3.0 mode. Here is a tutorial for using the VHD feature if you want to try it out.

[Robbie Ride]

  NORR said:

Its possible yea, I could try installing the OS to the 1.5TB. But is there a way of testing for sure? Rather than keep having to install GTA IV all the time :p

Im backing up some important files onto the other HD (250 GB_) as the 1.5 houses all my important data. Is the attached transfer speeds good for my system?

Well yeah they are good, i have seen worse beleive me.

Have you installed the ASrock drivers from the support CD/DVD, if so are they for Windows Vista, Windows XP or Both, have you tried not installing the drivers, but using the generic drivers that the Windows 7 installation installs and from Windows Update?

[c3i89g]

Because the basic functionality of the OS is being slowed, but not the games it makes me think it's a software issue. Are you currently running any antivirus or firewall?

A hijackthis report, a screenshot of all processes running on your system and/or a screenshot of your system tray may prove useful in solving this.

[»X«]

Currently I have only Eset Smart Security running. I disabled it and tried again, same results. This time I tried extracting an 6gb iso to another directory on the same drive (1.5 TB drive) and the same slow system. I tried to open itunes while it was extracting, it took 5 minutes and still didnt appear until I cancelled the extraction. It also brough firefox to a halt when I tried to download hijackthis at the same time.

This is really getting me down. I've had the system for about 48 hours and I've yet to enjoy it, i've spent all hours trying to figure out whats going on. I'm running out of patience and indeed hair over this :(

There is nothing else running in the system tray bar Eset and ultramon (which isnt the problem as that wasnt installed until recently). Attached is my current processes and here is my hijackthis report.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
 Scan saved at 23:40:57, on 15/09/2009
 Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.01.3504)
 MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16385)
 Boot mode: Normal

 Running processes:
 C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\robotaskbaricon.exe
 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\rundll32.exe
 C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
 C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
 C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Realtime Soft\RTSHookInterop\x32\RTSHookInterop.exe
 C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.exe
 C:\Program Files (x86)\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

 R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
 R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
 R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
 R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
 R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
 R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
 R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = 
 R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = 
 R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
 R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName = 
 F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
 O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
 O2 - BHO: RoboForm - {724d43a9-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\roboform.dll
 O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
 O3 - Toolbar: &RoboForm - {724d43a0-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\roboform.dll
 O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [P17RunE] RunDll32 P17RunE.dll,RunDLLEntry
 O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
 O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
 O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RoboForm] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboTaskBarIcon.exe"
 O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
 O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
 O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
 O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
 O4 - Global Startup: UltraMon.lnk = ?
 O8 - Extra context menu item: Customize Menu - file://C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComCustomizeIEMenu.html
 O8 - Extra context menu item: Fill Forms - file://C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComFillForms.html
 O8 - Extra context menu item: RoboForm Toolbar - file://C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComShowToolbar.html
 O8 - Extra context menu item: Save Forms - file://C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComSavePass.html
 O9 - Extra button: Fill Forms - {320AF880-6646-11D3-ABEE-C5DBF3571F46} - file://C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComFillForms.html
 O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Fill Forms - {320AF880-6646-11D3-ABEE-C5DBF3571F46} - file://C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComFillForms.html
 O9 - Extra button: Save - {320AF880-6646-11D3-ABEE-C5DBF3571F49} - file://C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComSavePass.html
 O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Save Forms - {320AF880-6646-11D3-ABEE-C5DBF3571F49} - file://C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComSavePass.html
 O9 - Extra button: RoboForm - {724d43aa-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - file://C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComShowToolbar.html
 O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: RoboForm Toolbar - {724d43aa-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - file://C:\Program Files (x86)\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComShowToolbar.html
 O13 - Gopher Prefix: 
 O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://ccfiles.creative.com/Web/softwareupdate/su2/ocx/15108/CTPID.cab
 O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
 O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
 O23 - Service: Creative Audio Engine Licensing Service - Creative Labs - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Creative Labs Shared\Service\CTAELicensing.exe
 O23 - Service: Creative Audio Service (CTAudSvcService) - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\Program Files (x86)\Creative\Shared Files\CTAudSvc.exe
 O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: ESET HTTP Server (EhttpSrv) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Smart Security\EHttpSrv.exe
 O23 - Service: ESET Service (ekrn) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Smart Security\x86\ekrn.exe
 O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
 O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
 O23 - Service: NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D Driver Service (Stereo Service) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\3D Vision\nvSCPAPISvr.exe
 O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
 O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

 --
 End of file - 8428 bytes

[Robbie Ride]

Have you tried a fresh install, just to eliminate the os

[»X«]

Yes, 3 times. Twice on this HD and once on my old 80gb.

[trag3dy]

Do you have an external hard drive connected to your computer? Specifically a Western Digital My Book? I had issues with mine and Vista causing longer than normal start up times. However that doesn't explain your other issues.

[Robbie Ride]

Did you install the ASrock drivers off of the support CD/DVD or Windows Update?

[Mannlich]

Was the 80gb drive that you used IDE? Do you have an old IDE drive sitting around? If so, try installing the OS on that drive and see what it does.

[Robbie Ride]

  B.Wolken said:

Was the 80gb drive that you used IDE? Do you have an old IDE drive sitting around? If so, try installing the OS on that drive and see what it does.

He has already mentioned that he had done this

[Mannlich]

  Windows Tester said:

He has already mentioned that he had done this

Look again, the 80GB is SATA. I asked if he could hook a hard drive up the the IDE controller.

[Robbie Ride]

  B.Wolken said:

Look again, the 80GB is SATA. I asked if he could hook a hard drive up the the IDE controller.

Sorry my bad.

I'm thinking that his problems could be stemming from Driver issues, if certain drivers i.e Chipset drivers designated for Windows Vista are used with Windows 7 then this may explain the performance issues.

[Mannlich]

  Windows Tester said:

Sorry my bad.

I'm thinking that his problems could be stemming from Driver issues, if certain drivers i.e Chipset drivers designated for Windows Vista are used with Windows 7 then this may explain the performance issues.

I don't believe that would be the problem. To the OP, are you noticing poor performance from the first boot into windows 7? Are you installing any of the chipset drivers from ASROCK, or are you letting windows update manage your chipset drivers?

To rule that out, all he would need to do is install the drivers here:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/download.asp?Model=P55 Extreme&s=1156

[hjf288]

Have you tried switching between AHCI and Non-AHCI mode in the BIOS?

[s0nic69]

Can u go to task manager and go to Performance and post a screenshot of that? When you go to Windows Experience Index, can you go to "View and print detailed performance and system information" and post that up too. I want to say its an issue with drivers somewhere. do u know what ur cpu temp is? have u tried any benchmark software?

[boogerjones]

I think you should stop playing with BIOS settings and summarize, with more clarity, the specifics problems you're having. So far you've giving us a lot of vague reports that frankly don't add up in my opinion.

  Quote

It seems to take ages to boot up

  Quote

it just doesnt feel right once its booted

  Quote

iTunes takes ages to load

  Quote

Firefox takes longer than usual

Give us some information to work with. How long do these things take? What is the processor usage when these alleged slowdowns are happening?

GTA IV takes forever to install on any system. I think you're too hung up on what's happening during the GTA IV installation. You provided a screenshot that shows a hard drive transfer rate of nearly 50 MB/s, which is over 1.5 times my sustained transfer rate. If you are extracting a 6 GB ISO to a hard drive, it's going to significantly slow down any other application that is trying to access the hard drive at the same time, especially if it's a laptop drive. You've got over 9000 items (> 7 GB) in your My Documents folder. Windows has to index all of that. It takes time, and again, it will be slower on a laptop drive. So the laptop drive aside, I almost wonder if it's possible that you have unrealistic expectations of your computer's performance. In other words, I'm not convinced there's actually anything wrong with your system, aside from having a laptop hard drive in it.

Now in terms of solutions: you absolutely have to replace the laptop drive with a desktop drive. Hard drives are the bottleneck in every computer's performance these days. Replace the drive, reset your BIOS to the default settings, install a fresh copy of Windows (no other software), install NOTHING else other than drivers (downloaded directly from the manufacturer's website), copy NO files to your user directory, let Windows indexing finish it's job, and then give us some RAW speed numbers. All this stuff about IDE versus SATA controllers, BIOS settings, HijackThis, and security software is extraneous in my opinion. You need to simplify things, get back to the basic problem (which is clearly the hard drive), and try the most obvious solutions first before installing a bunch of extra software or tweaking settings that probably don't need to be tweaked.

Edited September 15, 2009 by boogerjones

[Robbie Ride]

I find that after installing Windows no matter which edition that its best not to use drivers from Windows Update straight away as sometimes these drivers could cause underlying issues with the OS.

I agree with boogerjones's post, all of this sparse information doesnt really help, but more information is needed. it's the only way we can see the bigger picture.

[Adster01]

You wouldn't happen to have Skype installed would you? I've had huge slow down issues on Win7 with this installed.