What is going on :-(

[konichiwa]

For the past few months my computer has gotten slower and slower and slower. I noticed that bootup was taking longer and longer, and that the first time I would run a program it would literally take 45-60 seconds to open (then each subsequent opening of that program during that session would be fast).

So yesterday I decided to reformat. Put Windows2000 on it, boot up and it now takes 19 minutes from turn-on to desktop (minus about 5 seconds for password screen). That's rediculous!

Not to mention I'm getting download speeds of about 10-11K/sec from my broadband connection. Even before the reformat, when programs and boot were slow as molasses, I would see normal speeds on that (150-200K/sec comcast cable).

This makes me think it's a Hard Drive issue. Any comments, suggestions, please? 🙁

Athlon 1200MHz/Maxtor 20G on Soyo Dragon+

Edit
Forgot to mention; surfing doens't "feel" slow per se. Which is a bit weird. It feels normal, maybe a bit sluggish but not 10K/sec for sure. I have no idea here 🙁

 

[konichiwa]

Bumpppppp....downloading Win2k SP3 (~20megs taking 40 minutes) :|:|

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Uh, WTF?

NINETEEN MINUTES?

You'd better mean seconds.

- M4H

 

[T9D]

..

 

[Corporate Thug]

sounds like harddrive is goin bad or a virus

 

[konichiwa]

Yes, I mean nineteen minutes. M-I-N-U-T-E-S.

It will format, and once windows is running (slowly) it all works fine. Which makes me think it may be a motherboard or I/O problem as opposed to a HDD one. Not to mention the fact that I just downloaded some BIOS/driver updates from the Soyo website, updated the BIOS (successfully) and now don't get a POST. Grrrrrr

Wondering if it's still under warantee and if I really want to go through the RMA hassle when I could probably buy a new Dragon Plus! for $50, or a nicer board for $75. Damnit.

 

[Corporate Thug]

if you have a spare HDD, throw it in and see what happens. it's easier than replacing the Mobo and it may just solve your problem

 

[konichiwa]

Well I don't even get a POST now. That was going to be my next step after upgrading the BIOS/drivers and hoping that would solve it, but now with a motherboard that sits like a bump on a log, I don't see much other choice than plopping for a hundred bucks or so or going through the RMA.