SSD slowed down

Passienter · 22 Dec 2019

Hello,

Since I traveled yesterday my computer slowed down significantly and is really acting up. After some digging, I found out that my SSD is the issue. It loads everything fine but in large intervals. Therefore if I want to open up my browser, it might take no time at all, or between 5-10 seconds.

I did a CrystalDiskMark test and here are the results along with the visible intervals on the task manager:

Does anyone have any solution for this? Could I fix it through software or do I need to buy a new ssd because it's permanently damaged?

Thank you for any help.

dalchina · 23 Dec 2019

Since I traveled yesterday

- could your laptop have suffered a knock? It is rather unlikely something's come dislodged. You could check your SSD mounting inside your laptop- take the back off. There may be a youtube guide if you search.
E.g.
YouTube
Clearly the Write figures shown are wrong.

Please download and install Hard Disk Sentinel (SSDs too) - I posted a giveaway for it in Software and Apps
Free Hard Disk Sentinel (100% discount) | SharewareOnSale

Simply run it and report what it show on its GUI.
This is the best 'instant' report in easy English I know.

Passienter · 23 Dec 2019

Here's the thing, I would like to check but I'm pretty sure that would void my warranty.
I know that the numbers are wrong, the test wasn't finished yet. It was just to show how my SSD only works in intervals.
I couldn't install the program you sent me, it said it's an outdated version or something like that.

dalchina · 23 Dec 2019

Thank you so much for your reply. Please feel free to post a correct screenshot of Crystal Diskinfo.

I've not had a problem with Shareware on Sale.

This is what you should see:

Note - you run the small downloader program to get the pre-registered installation exe.

Run that to install the program. No code needed...it's pre-registered.

If you look at the comments on the site, the giveaway is an older version 5.01
So.. it's free. Naturally they want you to pay for the latest version... it's called marketing and salesmanship.

Point is 5.01 should do what you need.

If that doesn't work for you you could have used Google and found the author's site
Hard Disk Sentinel - HDD health and temperature monitoring

and download the trial version only.

Phew. that's a lot of typing!

Passienter · 23 Dec 2019

Hello again and thanks for helping,

Everything seems fine. I just wonder whether it's a hardware issue or a software issue...

I talked to an HP chat representative and he let me do stuff like updating my bios, sfc scannow, and restorehealth but nothing seemed to have worked.

I appreciate your help.

dalchina · 23 Dec 2019

That looks encouraging.. have a look at your Update History- including drivers at the bottom. Has there been any update in the period of interest?

Try a clean boot (Google if unsure) and compare performance.
If no change, create a new user for test purposes, log in as that user and compare.

If no change, repeat in Safe Mode.

Passienter · 27 Dec 2019

Hello Dalchina,

I did a clean boot and in fact, this seems to have been the issue. I uninstalled Teamviewer and left unchecked a couple of services here and there that seemed useless. And now everything's back to normal... Thank you for that :)

You did speak about my drivers and Windows update... I keep my Intel and Nvidia drivers up to date thanks to their utility but I stay away from updating all other because it has caused issues for me in the past. However, if you have anything reputable to recommend me please do.

On the other hand, my Windows Update doesn't work since June and I have no idea why. I've searched for solutions on the internet and none of them work. Every time I tick "Search for updates" it takes forever and gives me this error:

I've tried the troubleshooter but with no success.

I really don't want to reinstall windows... Any idea how to solve this?

Thank you very much for your help once again.

dalchina · 27 Dec 2019

Hi, you could try Tweaking.com's free repair tool- very cautious approach, guides you through.

Try only necessary repairs, e.g. 16- possibly 3,4

(numbers may change in latest version).

I note you mention disabling unnecessary services- could it be that WU is not working because of things you have changed in the past?

Noting you don't want to reinstall Windows- understandable- I sincerely hope you are routinely using disk imaging for Windows and any other partitions e.g. Macrium reflect - so you can restore to a previous good working state and have a full backup.

Also you may be aware of an in-place upgrade repair install - useful for fixing many things not account-related- which keeps everything. Tutorial available.

Note too there is a tutorial with a full 3rd party tool that deals with Windows update in a controlled manner. Some Home users find this helpful.

Passienter · 27 Dec 2019

Hello Dalchina,

I only had to do #16 for it to get working again.

You're a genius, thank you.

dalchina · 27 Dec 2019

all credit to Tweaking.com.. and a bit of good fortune.

Now make sure you've a current disk image... good resolution... Happy New Year..