Solved High Disk usage (98/99%) ONLY on startup

I recently installed Windows 8.1 on my Inspiron 7520 and I noticed that during the startup the disk usage is around 98/99% of my Samsung SSD 840 Pro 120gb.
I saw a lot of posts where the users complain that, during this high usage of the disk, apps don't open, the system freezes around 5 minutes and after that, there are random high usages, even on idle. But in my case this high usage lasts only few seconds (around 30s), I can open some apps with no problems and never happens again on idle, only if I restart Explorer.exe. If I restart it, it happens all again.

My question is : Is it normal? The high usage only on startup? My only worry is mess up with my SSD due this usage.

UPDATE: On Performance Monitor, the process which writes a lot is System. I disabled every 3rd party app on startup.


Thanks a lot!

Is it normal? The answer is no! Have you looked at your event viewer to see what warnings, errors or critical errors you are getting? That might provide you some insight of problems. Also, have you checked Action Center and used troubleshooters available there? Just some suggestions that might help identify. Hope you get it solved....

JohnBurns said:

Is it normal? The answer is no! Have you looked at your event viewer to see what warnings, errors or critical errors you are getting? That might provide you some insight of problems. Also, have you checked Action Center and used troubleshooters available there? Just some suggestions that might help identify. Hope you get it solved....

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No, I haven't try any of this methods. I will try it now!


I'm thinking of make a Windows Reset... maybe some drive or app installed is doing it, even doing a clear boot...
I think it's the best option...

I downloaded Windows ADK and the issues are Explorer.EXE and System process. I stopped every other service/startup process.


I tested the Disk usage in other computers and the 97% - 100% is kind of common...


Anyone else here can test it so we can see if JohnBurns' PC is an exception (LOL)


Thanks for everything!

Hello,

From my perspective, it seems logical that your CPU will exhibit high usage during a boot, and the duration of high usage, will be directly dependent upon the tasks that are required to complete the boot. You can also factor in the CPU processing power, relative to the tasks at hand. So, I don't think there is a "one-shoe fits all" answer here.

However, the one thing that I did want to respond to is your expressed concern regarding your comment here:

My only worry is mess up with my SSD due this usage.

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And to that I can only say "what the heck is the benefit of buying a Ferrari that you can't drive?" Moreover, I can tell you that I have a test rig and I have beaten my SSD to death with (literally) hundreds of System Image backups and restorals without issue. So, you can either leave that Ferrari in the garage or just put it in gear and drive it as much as you want. Good luck with your decision in that area.

my2cents

Oh, sorry my2cents
I think its a misunderstood.
I searched everything about SSDs before buying one and I know the risk which this Ferrari can take.

My real worry is: if this usage is EXTREMELY UNCOMMON, it can be a problem in SSDs (or HDD, whatever) life time. But, if its common is most of the cases, no problem. Did you get me?

The worry is about how can this impact over the system, not specified on the SSD.

Thanks for your help!

One of the reasons W8 boots faster is that it loads as many files and services (or attempts to ) as possible so there's nothing strange there. Depending on the speed of whole system, most programs will load even before the whole boot process is finished especially if they are installed on other HDD. Also some AVs will check all that's loading and even check whole or part of the system and so cause even more work with BOOT drive.

Thanks for you reply, Mike.
I also think it is kind of normal during the boot, specially because it does not freeze my computer. I think in order circumstances it would freeze it all.
When my PC is booting (during this high usage time) I open Eclipse IDE, and start MySQL and Apache in the same time (My default apps ) and they open with no problem.


By the way, I'm thinking about format it to do some tests...


Thanks a lot!

CountMike said:

One of the reasons W8 boots faster is that it loads as many files and services (or attempts to ) as possible so there's nothing strange there. Depending on the speed of whole system, most programs will load even before the whole boot process is finished especially if they are installed on other HDD. Also some AVs will check all that's loading and even check whole or part of the system and so cause even more work with BOOT drive.

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Agreed... You are good to go IMHO.

Don't forget to do "secure Erase" before reinstalling system to be sure there's no residual effects that can screw your testing. I believe there's an utility for your Samsung and if not I know there's one for Evo drives.

Just in case you have not seen this tutorial or need a reference:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

Good luck.

Oh, thanks! I used it + format with UEFI BIOS tutorial when I bought the SSD.

By the way, I downloaded the Windows 8.1 with the method on the following URL:
http://mcakins.com/2013/10/19/download-windows-8-1-iso-using-you-windows-8-0-key/

Does this ISO contains only W8.1 (update) or it contains everything (I can format using this only ISO)?

And my "test" is: Will W8.1 use this amount of Disk writing/reading with nothing but system installed?

Do you guys, think is valid or wasting of time (and also wasting of "writes" on SSD).

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate your help.

If you downloaded the full Windows 8.1 ISO, it will contains the full 8.1 OS. Personally, I don't think you test will prove much of anything and I do think it is a waste of time because what happens if you find a tiny difference? What would be your next step? And there you go again about "wasting writes to an SSD."

Also, make sure that you don't get "stuck" when trying to do a clean install if/when you decide to do so. That attempt will require "two" keys:

A generic key that has to be used to complete the Win 8.1 ISO installation.
Your authentic Windows 8.0 Pro key to "activate" the installation after the initial install.

Hopefully, the tutorial you followed also made reference to the generic 8.1 key that is required. However, if not, this post shows you the correct key to use for Windows 8.1 Pro.

http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/34102-how-download-windows-8-1-clean-install.html

Good luck with all your testing.

my2cents

Out of curiosity I tested my SSD (Kingston v300) few times and apart of some speed improvements after QC did it's job did not find any difference while only Windows was installed "clean" and subsequent tests as long there was about 10- 15% free. Due to some snafus I had to return image few times but even that did not change anything as far as SSDs speed is concerned. Had some improvement when I installed newest drivers for AHCI on my MB thou.
As far as constant testing of drives is concerned, I have a friend that ruined couple of HDDs by constant testing and defragmenting until he got the idea that it shortens life of them, that's time when they are working much harder than in normal use. Unless you have a reason to suspect that something is wrong I'd refrain from testing them too often.

Thanks again for the support.

I will drop the test for now... Like I said, my worry was about how critical is this usage. Thanks your opinions, I can see if it's not "normal", at least is not dangerous.

And I'm good with that.

Again, thanks.

I can see if it's not "normal", at least is not dangerous. And I'm good with that.

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