100% HD load, after Automatic Repair on Asus X502c laptop

I'm really at a loss what to do with this laptop. It runs after Automatic Repair, but the HD's spinning at 100% all the time, even though Task Manager tells me nothing's running. iI've been through the running processes, and tried to turn off the not-needed ones, but to no avail. I've had the laptop on for 60 mins, and it's still at 100%

What could be causing this? I'm really stuck, as there's no DVD-ROM drive, and no way of taking the hard drive out, as the bottom of the chassis has no access points on it.

What could I do to acertain what the problem is? Even if I make a USB boot drive, will it have the tools on it to repair the problems?

Many thanks

EDIT: Just checked on Task Manager again, and there's 1400 background processes running? Including multiples of the ASUS "Smart Gesture Loader" Is there a way of disabling this software?

And is there a way of repairing the Windows install without losing all the data? I did try a Refresh, but the PC kept asking for a password......

Just taken the drive out and opened up HD Tune, and it's come up with these errors:

Unfortunately issues like that tend to be caused by a hard drive failure. I think that point is further proven by the fact that you see two warnings in that HD Tune program. Try running chkdsk C: /R from a elevated command prompt and see if it comes up with any errors.

Many thanks for the quick reply. If the drive is DOA, is there a way I can install a new hard drive without having to buy a new copy of Windows 8? I think I read somewhere that if the machine has just a Windows 8 sticker on the bottom, the licence key is stored in the UEFI Bios?

How could I get hold of a copy of W8 that mirrors the one that was used by ASUS? (I have some Digital River copies of W8 - would these match up?) O would it be a case of buying a license from Softicle etc?

Many thanks

If the computer has a sticker for Windows 8 on it, it means it came preinstalled with it. In that case, your Win8 key is stored within the UEFI BIOS and Windows will retrieve it from there when it is reinstalled. You do not have to use any special version or image of Windows. All you have to do is make sure that the image or install media you use is the same version of Windows 8 that came with the PC, whether that be Core (Home), or Pro and 32bit or 64bit. I would assume the latter but cant be too sure.

So in short, you will not have to buy another Win8 key. Just make sure that you use the correct reinstallation media.

Thanks. How could I find out which version of W8 the machine is using? And as the drive sort of works, could I not just use Macrium Reflect to clone the old drive with? Or would it fail due to the errors? And if I clone the drive, would it cause problems with the licence?

Ahem, how hard would it be to find an SSD? (Fancy a speed increase!)

Cheers

EDIT: Just found this link:

PC Hell: Clone a Hard Drive With Bad Sectors

Has anyone used this software? And is it hard to use?

Cloning the drive would not cause issues with the license. However, since it is a good chance that the HDD is failing, I wouldnt try to clone it as files could end up corrupt and only give you more headaches than you are already dealing with.

Without booting into the OS, there is no way to be 100% certain. However I would put my money on it being Windows 8 Core (home) 64bit. It has only 4GB RAM from the specs I can find online but there really isnt any reason to not go with 64bit unless your trying to use some really legacy programs or hardware.

EDIT:

If you can get into Windows, one way to see exactly what the OS is to go into File Explorer and right click on This PC, then click on Properties. It will tell you in there.

Thanks again, AE. So.........how do I get hold of a copy of Windows 8? I've only got DR copies of Pro.......

Can I use this MS tool?:

Creating installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

Found this, as well (Might help a few others......)

https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-tel...-installed-on-a-hard-drive-without-booting-it

Yeah. Just follow all the steps listed in that Microsoft article and go from there. That should help you out.

Cheers, AE.

I'm toying with the idea of buying on of these SSDs:

[h=1]SanDisk Ultra II SSD 120 GB Sata III 2.5-inch Internal SSD up to 550 MB/s: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories[/h]
Here's the info on my old drive:

https://www.hgst.com/products/hard-drives/travelstar-z5k500

Do you think I could get away with using the old caddy that houses the old drive? The drives are almost the same size. I know that the SSD is a lot smaller, but I only used 66 GB of the old one anyway

That should work out fine. You can probably use the same caddy I would think, but I wont guarantee it. You will likely have to use a 2.5" to 3.5" converter with it which in most cases comes with the SSD.