BleepingComputer.com: Very Very Slow Boot

rotor123....Is all memory being recognized? All I knew to do was open several windows and than open Windows Task Manager>Performance....CPU Usage 9-14%...Physical Memory using 55%( 1.58GB of 3GB)
During start-up activity lights are solid, not blinking.
I was able to download and use Seagate Diagnostics Tool (which owns Maxtors Diag. now) I ran S.M.A.R.T Check, Short Drive Self Test and Short Generic.......PASSED
Tried to run Long Generic, but half way through it kicked out with a Failed result.

I believe my laptop is waring down just like me. As I had mentioned early in the post once the laptop is booted everything runs fine. I don't really want to take it anywhere and spend a bunch of money. For what I use a computer for I can replace it with an inexpensive one when the time comes. I guess just leave it turned on and enjoy while it lasts.

I want to thank bleeping computer and you rotor123 and others for their input,patience and the great learning experience. My friends go crazy when stopping by and see me on this site and just reading as if it were a number one novel.

I guess I should close this post......Thanks Again!

All your memory is being detected and used.

The Long test confirms what was said here http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic433350.html/page__view__findpost__p__2515777

Since the drive is going bad I would back up anything I did not want to lose.
Hopefully you have made the Toshiba recovery discs set.
If it were mine I would do what I did with my 2.5 year old +/-, a used Toshiba laptop that came with Vista business or XP recovery disc set. My hard drive was fine but I replaced it with a Intel 320 Series (5 Year warranty) SSD. Pricey but very fast. But it was clean and a dual core, It now boots in around 15 seconds.

If you have the recovery discs and are a little handy and the laptop is in good condition otherwise? I took a quick look and found suitable hard drives for under $100.

If you decide not to fix it do not just throw it away I'd bet you can find someone local that fixes computers and distributes them to the needy. Laptops would be especially appreciated by the recipients.

This post has been edited by rotor123: 23 December 2011 - 10:36 AM

Hello. try this site for info on Hard drive diagnostics. just make the cd. set bios . and run it. Post results . : http://www.carrona.org/hddiag.html

If confirmed bad use this : http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/

This post has been edited by YardDog1: 23 December 2011 - 08:33 PM

I have recovery discs I made when I first bought laptop: but I do not have Systems Image Restore disc. I'm I getting confused? Would the System Image Restore disc be used to reinstall Windows Vista Operating System if there is a crash. Windows Vista Home Premium does not have the image restore option in the maintenance>back up or restore center. My windows 7 desktop has systems image restore. Once I get a new compatible hard drive....do I take laptop to someone who can transfer O.S to new hard drive? I read a little on this transfer and a couple of cables are required. Is there any free programs that would let me create a systems image restore copy of my laptop I can have until I can get old hard drive replaced? I wanted to add that I was wondering if I can copy system image to disc or external hard drive, could't I install the vista operating system onto new hard drive myself?

This post has been edited by mhoss49: 27 December 2011 - 11:10 AM

The recovery discs should return the laptop to the same condition as when you bought it in terms of software and OS.

There is free clone software such as http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm

Read the description of functions for answers to your questions.
You could create images or clone, my preference.

that would require either a desktop that has spare connections of your dries type for your laptop drive and its replacement drive or a replacement drive and a case to allow hooking it up externally to your laptop to allow cloning from old to new.

Do not hesitate to backup any files you would not want to lose. Once a drive starts going bad it can totally go at anytime taking everything with it.

If there is nothing there you care about if it gets lost, including installed software and email settings etc. Then you could just put in the new drive and run the recovery disk set yourself. Boot off of the first disk and follow the prompts. F12 when the Toshiba Logo appears should get you to the boot device screen.

Good Luck
Roger

This post has been edited by rotor123: 27 December 2011 - 12:56 PM

thank you rotor123....the recovery disc's I have I made the first day I received the laptop. This has got me excited that I can just buy a new replacement internal hard drive and use those dvd disc's and install OS like it was when first purchased. I do not have anything that is a must save. I back up all personal stuff on flash drives and an external hard drive. All the programs installed are purchased and I have the installers. I am 62 and never turned on a computer until 2008. Bleeping Computer has made me love having a computer for more than just turning on and using. I help a lot of my older friends for free on many basic function's that they would have to pay money they don't have. For many it is a life line of communication. I am going to order a hard drive. I bought ram from a company named...4allmemory. They have a feature where by using the computer you are wanting make changes; they can scan the computer and guaranty compatibility. The one I believe I will order is made buy Seagate for about $135.00. If everything works out....cheap repair. Thanks So Much!!!

You can do a better price. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=160gb+sata+laptop+hard+drive&x=0&y=0

Since you only used about 40Gb of your old drive any of these should work or you can go bigger.

Use the NERO CD-DVD Speed program to test your DVDs first, just in case.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/CD-DVD-Tools/CD-DVD-Rip-Other-Tools/Nero-CDDVD-Speed.shtml

This post has been edited by rotor123: 27 December 2011 - 05:35 PM