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Computer Problem

S

StraightG00ds

n00b
Joined
Sep 2, 2010
Messages
13
Hi,

I am a long time reader of this site, but rarely post, but I am having some computer problems and was hoping the community may be able to help out.

System Specs:

Mobo: Intel ASUS P55d Pro (1156 socket)
Processor: i5
RAM: 4gb Kingston
GP: Nvidia 570
HD: WD 250gig black

The Problem

My computer seems to get a high amount of lag when the (I think) the hard drive is hard at work. Since I have not pinpointed the problem, I will describe an instances in which my computer seems to have difficult running.

Instance 1:

When I open steam and it is downloading a patch it becomes almost impossible to do anything on the computer. Loading web browsers can be difficult. Once when I was in came (Dota 2), steam was busy updating itself and my FPS in game came to a crawl.


Instance 2:

When in game (dota 2) and a lot of action is going on, my computer can suddenly lag out, lowering my FPS and stalling me for 15-30 seconds. Afterwards my computer seems to catch up and all is normal.

Also, based on my research, my computer should be able to run this game on max graphics. I have lowered the graphic to try and help solve my problem, but while it may have helped, I do not believe it solved the under lying problem (as evidenced in instance 1, when i was running the game on a low graphics setting)

Attempts to Solve

I re installed Windows approximately a month or two ago, and initially it seemed to have helped the problem, but it has returned.

I have performed some initial tests on my HD, but nothing extensive yet ... I'd like to try to get some direction before defragging and running other tests to try and isolate the problem. I am inclined to think it may be a HD problem, but it's difficult to know for sure.

Anyways, any help would be appreciated. I will do my best to respond today, but will be away for the weekend.
 
Can't help you much without smart results, if it is a disk issue, then it should be showing up in smart as uncorrectable read errors most likely.

Also if you can, run a long smart test on the drive also.
 
I'll let some of the more experienced guys comment on this for the meaty stuff, but to start, Defrag will likely do nothing. If you reinstalled 2 months ago, there won't be much fragmentation in any case.

It does sound like a HDD issue though.

I'd start by doing some hard drive diagnostics. You mention your HDD is a WD black, so I suggest downloading and running WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostics utility:

http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=606&sid=3

You will be able to run multiple levels of testing:

QUICK TEST - performs SMART drive quick self-test to gather and verify the Data Lifeguard information contained on the drive.

EXTENDED TEST - performs a Full Media Scan to detect bad sectors. Test may take several hours to complete depending on the size of the drive.

You want to first run Quick, then extended. Full instructions for how to use the program are at the link I sent you.

Good luck!
 
Sounds like I won't be able to do much testing until Sunday or Monday. But thank you for the guidance ... when I have some time I will run the SMART tests and post some of the results if required.

Thanks for the help.
 
is this a recent problem, or did it just start happening recently?

what are your temps when all of this is going on, sounds it could be the cpu throttling
 
pstang said:
is this a recent problem, or did it just start happening recently?

what are your temps when all of this is going on, sounds it could be the cpu throttling
Click to expand...

I can't give you an exact timeline since it's been a bit of an odd problem. My computer still functions, but it's definitely gotten to a point where it is inconvenient. I would say the first time I remember having a major issue with this may be in November.

I will check my temps, but I don't think they will be too high. I have not overclocked this machine and I am fairly certain the heatsink and fan are on properly. Any further thoughts?
 
What percentage of HD space is available?

When you encounter problems, how much RAM is being used?

Which version of Windows?
 
jwcalla said:
What percentage of HD space is available?

When you encounter problems, how much RAM is being used?

Which version of Windows?
Click to expand...

Lots of space on the HD ... can't site it exactly right now, but more than enough.

I will check on the RAM being used. I actually have purchased some additional RAM, but have not installed it yet. The system requirements for the game are met for Windows and the one game I encounter difficulties with though ... and I have very few programs running in the background.

Windows 7.
 
The system requirements for the game are met for Windows and the one game I encounter difficulties with though
Click to expand...
They always give the minimum requirements.

Check how much RAM your using when playing the game and check the task manager when you're having a slow-down to see where the CPU cycles are being alloted.
 
dalekphalm said:
I'll let some of the more experienced guys comment on this for the meaty stuff, but to start, Defrag will likely do nothing. If you reinstalled 2 months ago, there won't be much fragmentation in any case.

It does sound like a HDD issue though.

I'd start by doing some hard drive diagnostics. You mention your HDD is a WD black, so I suggest downloading and running WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostics utility:

http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=606&sid=3

You will be able to run multiple levels of testing:

QUICK TEST - performs SMART drive quick self-test to gather and verify the Data Lifeguard information contained on the drive.

EXTENDED TEST - performs a Full Media Scan to detect bad sectors. Test may take several hours to complete depending on the size of the drive.

You want to first run Quick, then extended. Full instructions for how to use the program are at the link I sent you.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

First let me thank everyone who responded for the help.

I ran the WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostics utility. Upon running this program I immediately noticed an error; the drive failed the SMART test due to the RAW Read Error Rate falling below the threshold of 151 ... the lowest it fell to was 1.

I have begun to research this error and from what I have read so far will try a different SATA cable to connect the drive to my MOBO; however, if that fails it appears the drive needs to be replaced.


Please let me know if this is correct and / or if you have any other comments and suggestions.

I also ran both the quick and extended tests - both were passes.

Thanks again for the help.
 
Last edited:
Sounds like you solved it.

The Resource Monitor in windows, the hard disk drive tab will tell you disk queue length and what's using the reads and writes up, and the response times on individual drives per file.
 
Old Hippie said:
You mean both were failures?
Click to expand...

No, both were passes, which was surprising.

The raw error read rate, which is displayed without having run a quick or extended test, came up as a failure (which surprised me). Based on what I have looked up though (and the fact the drive appears to have triggered the warranty), it should be replaced.

Please let me know if I am wrong in my reasoning.
 
The raw error read rate, which is displayed without having run a quick or extended test, came up as a failure (which surprised me). Based on what I have looked up though (and the fact the drive appears to have triggered the warranty), it should be replaced.
Click to expand...
You're correct.

I'd be RMAing that drive.

Good Luck!
 
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