Win 10 - Runs Slow after Power Spike

SirMark9 · 27 Jul 2017

Hello,

We recently experienced a power spike and one of our primary desktops now runs slow. While it is possible to get to the desktop screen, it is practically impossible to get anywhere with it. It never had any problems before the power spike (the user was playing World of Warcraft when it happened).

For reference, the computer that has this problem is store-bought from Amazon and is just a year old. No modifications have been made to the hardware. It is running Windows 10 as the operating system.

-- Desktop Specs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016LO0RJM

As for steps for trying to remedy this issue...

1. I have tried the classic CTRL+ALT+DELETE to access Task Manager, but Task Manager refuses to open.-- It is possible to get to the CTRL+ALT+DELETE screen, but only after several minutes of waiting.

2. I have tried to access the Elevated Command Prompt to do the "sfc /scannow"-- The Win+X menu works (after a long delay), but the Command Prompt will not open even after 20 minutes of waiting.

2A. I also tried accessing the Command Prompt by getting into the Advanced Startup Options.-- However, even when using the Power Menu and the "Shift+Restart," Windows refuses to restart even after waiting.

3. I tried to see if I can just plain access the Control Panel from Windows-- Like before, Control Panel will not open even after waiting a long while.

4. Taking apart the covers and looking at the components, nothing seems out of the ordinary.

* * * * *

Any assistance on this would be appreciated.
= = = = =
Update 1:

Upon trying to do the CTRL+ALT+DELETE again, I get the following error...

"Failure to display security and shut down options

The sign-in-process couldn't display security and sign-in options when Ctrl+Alt+Delete was pressed. If Windows doesn't respond, press Esc, or use the power switch to restart."

Pressing "Okay" reverts the screen back to Desktop mode and the eternal waiting game...

SoDiMm · 27 Jul 2017

Can you boot from install media and use its repair tools to run a chkdsk, sfc, etc?

SirMark9 · 27 Jul 2017

Update 2:

I tried doing the Ctrl+Alt+Delete again, this time doing it immediately after the Desktop screen appears. I get to the proper screen and attempt to do the "advanced restart" to get to the "advanced boot-up options." However, holding down "Shift" and using the keyboard to navigate to the "restart" button and press "shift+enter" just restarts the computer normally.

Despite this, Windows has seemingly returned to normal after forcing a restart. Everything is once again responsive and the user can play World of Warcraft without much issue, although the loading times may be a little longer than previous. The "sfc /scannow" does not report any errors either.

I'll mark the topic as solved for the time being, but I'll update this topic if anything else arises. Thanks to vram for the assistance, even if I did not try using the install media method.

SoDiMm · 27 Jul 2017

Windiows 10 enables "fast startup" mode by default. In a nutshell, some data is cached in order to make cold boot start ups much faster. This only affects a shutdown scenario. Initiating a restart doesn't use this cache so it clears everything out.

I suspect your fast start up cache had become corrupt in some way. That's why a restart fixed it.

snickie · 28 Jul 2017

Note: You access Task Manager with CTRL-SHIFT-ESCAPE in W10.

slicendice · 28 Jul 2017

Warning

If there was a POWER SPIKE, your Power Supply most likely took a hit and needs to be replaced...don't try to fix anything else before this, or you end up destroying the whole computer.

If there's a spare PSU with enough power output somewhere laying around try that, if it solved the problem, purchase a new one to be installed permanently in the computer.

Another thing you could do is remove/disconnect all hardware except for the System-drive and possibly the DVD-drive. Use integrated graphics to drive your display. Then do the needed repairs to Windows (if any needed), after that plug in one device at a time and test the system. Do this process until you have reconnected and tested everything.

Once all seems to work normally, swap your display to the Discrete graphics adapter, and you should be done.

SoDiMm · 28 Jul 2017

The shortcut key is handy to know, but if the task manager is unable to start or it takes forever to load, then it's useless.

There was a time when the TM took priority above anything else running on the PC and just worked. The whole point of it to to give the user some control of the PC when a process misbehaves. Now, MS apparently thinks it's a toy with fun graphs to look at.