PC Running Slow, now doesn't boot into Windows after restart.

Yesterday I was using my computer as normal, playing some Overwatch, downloading a mod for Witcher 3, when it started to act really strangely slow.

My CPU usage was near 100% but from Task Manager there were no programs open that had high usage. Spotify wouldn't load a playlist and the current playing song wouldnt pause for a long while after I clicked the button. I tried to rename the RPCS3 emulator exe file in 7-zip but the renaming process was taking several minutes.

I figured I'd restart my computer, but the boot to Windows was slow and stalling at the spinning wheel, before attempting to repair a drive after ~10 minutes of waiting. I haven't been able to successfully boot into Windows since the restart yesterday.

I'm currently trying to reinstall windows. Is this a software or hardware problem?

My PC specs:
i5-3570k was OC to 4.2GHz, but I reverted to stock clock in bios.
24GB DDR3-1600
250GB SSD With Windows
2TB HDD for storage
GTX 1070
XFX 650W bronze

dalchina said:

Hi, first check your disk. Download and create Kyhi's bootable disk from the top of the Software and Apps section here.

Boot your PC from it and run HD Tune (Health tab) and post a screenshot.
To post a screenshot use the Insert Image icon above your post

Also run Minitool Partition Wizard, expand columns so all text is visible, and post a screenshot.Which major build of Win 10 are you running?

I probably should have waited longer before doing this, but I reinstalled Windows after formatting my SSD. I'm currently typing this on the same computer, so there's that at least.

I'm still experiencing a massive slow-down. I'm trying to install programs and drivers and some won't open for several minutes or installs won't complete for a while (stuck at 99% or 100%). Some installations are having straight failures. My HDD won't appear, but I think I need to install SATA drivers first. Trying to right-click the "safely remove hardware" on my task bar even takes a long time to appear.

Should I follow the same procedure you've outlined in your comment above for diagnostics?

spunk said:

Is the 2TB HDD internal or External? Either way, unplug it from the computer, does the computer act normally now? Then there is an issue with the HDD. If it is in a USB external Enclosure, the USB controller inside the enclosure may be failing.
If a USB drive, what is the make and model#? Most external USB drives you can disassemble the enclosure and attach the drive internally to a desktop, or via a USB Adapter, Dock or Enclosure with a power adapter. If the drive doesn't spin up, it has is about to fail. You can download the Manufactures Diagnostic tool to view it's status. Or use HD Tune.

The HDD was the problem. I thought I had unplugged it previously to check, but I guess not. If I had then I probably wouldn't have had to format my SSD.
After unplugging the power and SATA my computer starts up quick as normal, installations are fast, etc.
Now the question is how do I recover the information on the HDD to transfer to another if I can't access it on this computer?