Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Computer starts slow and other issues

Sep 20, 2018 10:21AM PDT

I am having difficulties figuring out what is wrong with my computer.
Specs:
Brand - ibuypower i series 506
Windows 10
Intel processor i5-6400 CPU
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3gb

About the beginning of this year i started experiencing an issue with my computers clock. Every time it would come out of sleep mode or hibernate, the clock would go to about a month in the future. I tried to figure that out back then but no one could help me figure it out and i didnt (and still dont) have money to get it looked at professionally. My brother knows a bit though and tried to help me out but our only solution was to just not let it go into sleep or hibernate. So that issue is hidden right now, but not solved.

Not too long after i started experiencing a very slow start up. Maybe about a half an hour before i can do anything after restart. It literally freezes the whole time if i do try to open anything. I dont have any start up programs causing the issue, i know how to check that and make sure there is nothing slowing a hasty start up. Its not just start up where i experience this issue with freezing. After some time it will just freeze. Especially when i am running programs like photoshop for too long. I cant even pull up task manager during my freezes and i am forced to do a hard restart and wait a half an hour before i even use my computer...
About a year ago i got my power supply replaced by ibuypower because it was still under warranty then. I just got the computer in March 2017. I feel like i have had nothing but problems since i bought this desktop. I have a new graphic card, that was the first thing ibuypower did before they replaced my power supply. So thats only a year old too and works perfectly.

I ran a memory diagnostic since this kinda sounded like a memory issue at first but it came up clean - no issues found.

Ive run anti-maleware, nothing there.

It feels like a big mystery to me. If anyone has any more ideas, please i could use all the advice before i have to pay to have it looked at.
Ive googled the issue and barely come up with anything useful.

If anyone needs more info just ask.

Ive just been kinda dealing with it over time but im getting really sick of it.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Yes, more details needed.
Sep 20, 2018 10:35AM PDT
- Collapse -
web speccy report
Sep 20, 2018 10:49AM PDT

speecy link removed

Post was last edited on September 21, 2018 2:53 AM PDT

- Collapse -
In addition
Sep 20, 2018 9:31PM PDT

To what Robert wrote.

What is Avast doing on this machine?

Why is ccleaner a scheduled task?

Who put that beta bios on the machine?

- Collapse -
Well...
Sep 21, 2018 2:45AM PDT

1. Avast is no longer on my computer prior to even doing the speccy report...
2. I just downloaded cccleaner to make the speccy report Idk why it’s “scheduled” I will work that out on my own.
3. I have no idea what you’re talking about. Beta bios?

- Collapse -
When the machine is doing odd things
Sep 21, 2018 10:10AM PDT

You start looking around for anything that seems out of place.

Speccy showed windows defender active and avast doing something.

I see below that removing avast seems to have got the machine working.

That's good.

A beta is a run at your own risk type thing.

May or may not function for all users.

If you go to the mobo maker's site you will see the different bios levels that are available.

Your running a beta level of the bios but if the machine functions leave it alone.

- Collapse -
Answer
Report shows a few things.
Sep 20, 2018 11:19AM PDT

1. That HDD. It seems to be noted for inconsistent speeds.
WD10EZEX-08WN4A0 slow on google gets us:
http://hdd.userbenchmark.com/WD-Blue-1TB-2012/Rating/1779 and more.

I'd consider moving to a SSD for the boot and OS drive and move this to a secondary position like a drive D:

You can test your HDD speed with the Userbenchmark app at http://hdd.userbenchmark.com/ and share that report if you wish.

2. The CPU looks on the high side so for now, just try it without the case cover. I do not expect this to be a cause here. Item #1 looks to be the cause.
PS; Motherboard temp is just a few degrees cooler. I'm reversing my thought here. Just try it with the cover off.

3. Single Channel RAM. Consider getting a second stick of RAM to tap the rest of the CPU and GPU power.

4. Given item 1, be sure the following is disabled. You can't spare the I/O:
https://www.howtogeek.com/224981/how-to-stop-windows-10-from-uploading-updates-to-other-pcs-over-the-internet/

5. The report may reveal your email address so after today I will remove your Speccy link.

6. Adobe Flash Player. This should not be required. May want to uninstall until issues clear up.

7. Keepersecurity didn't update. Try a manual update.

8. RAM. Try enabling the XMP profile.

9. Minor items. Skype. Don't use it? Read https://www.howtogeek.com/284864/how-to-stop-skype-from-running-in-the-background-on-windows-10/
Chkdsk. Use the /F and /R then reboot when you have time: https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/guide-to-using-check-disk-in-windows-vista/ Applies to W10 and a good idea given the HDD model.

Conclusion. My bet is the HDD is slowing everything down. You have a very nice GPU, the right amount of RAM but not in dual channel and not much going on in the report. There a a few things to try for free but my bet at the end you'll want to get that SSD and another matching stick of RAM to see this machine fly.

- Collapse -
Thanks
Sep 21, 2018 2:57AM PDT

Thanks for viewing the report and for the advice on getting an SSD instead.
I think I discovered the issue though. After cleaning up my computer prior after I published my question, I found uninstalling Avast anti-virus protection that was on my computer seemed to do the trick. I always had a hunch that they were more bad than good and I guess I proved that theory right. So far, I have been able to restart my computer and it has not freezed. The startup is almost immediate once again. I appreciate you checking out my speccy report, but I guess the issue was must more simple that I thought. Seems to always be.

- Collapse -
I see the link has been removed.
Sep 21, 2018 8:03AM PDT

For now let's call this closed. As to the BIOS, if it works, let it be.

- Collapse -
Answer
PS. For a comparison my Userbenchmark result.
Sep 20, 2018 11:30AM PDT