Randomly slow/locking up - can't seem to track down the is

aj84

New Member
Messages
21
Hi all,

I seem to have a really annoying issue and I just can't seem to get it tracked down.
I've done about 5-6 clean reinstalls none if which have sorted the issue.
Laptop is a Sony vaio pro 13 and is on W8.1 Pro.
Not much installed, office 2013, vmware 10, Chrome and Avast Premium.

So, it is currently fine. But for no reason and out of the blue, it will get very slow. Now the strange thing is it won't be a lock up so the cursor will move fine. You can sometimes even right click and the menu will pop up. But to open an app or even clicking on start...nothing happens.
Sometimes it all then just comes back about 10 minutes...other times you have to restart.

Now when you restart, logging on via the pin number just hangs. You can shutdown/restart but same thing happens if you use pin number. If you then change the sign in options to use the full password, it gets you in but this time, unlike the last successful boot, it takes 10 minutes or so to get to a usable state. Until then, nothing much can be done.

Reboot again, and it will be fine.

In all of these scenarios, cpu/memory/disk load is almost at it's lowest so it's not like the system is being thrashed.
Checked temp of cpu etc, all ok.

Can't find anything in the logs apart from maybe one or two entries randomly of the following (in the event viewer)
The speed of processor 2 in group 0 is being limited by system firmware. The processor has been in this reduced performance state for 71 seconds since the last report.

Unsure whether it is related though.

Any idea?

In terms of drivers...Sony are not providing a full stack for W8.1 so I've used a mis-mash of W8, W8 updates and W8.1 drivers (those few that they have posted)
These are : Sony : SVP1321C5E updates | Download updates for SVP1321C5E

As mentioned, I've done fresh clean installs...not an upgrade from 8 but fresh installs. Bios etc are fully up-to-date. Graphics and Wifi drivers are from Intel.

Appreciate any help on this
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Precision M3800
    CPU
    i7-4702HQ @ 2.20GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 4600/Intel Quadro K1100M
    Screen Resolution
    32200x1800
    Hard Drives
    Crucial CT480M500SSD3
    Liteon LCS-512M6S 2.5 7mm 512GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avast Premier!
You might want to start with removing Avast with the tool they offer, then replacing temporarily (to test) or permanently with MSE.

In any case, you will then be in a far greater position to receive help, if that in itself is not your fix.

Best of luck, and please let us know how things are going or if we need to look deeper into this, like with system info, crash dumps (if any), etc...

Unless you are one that constantly uses Search feature, it's a wonderful idea to open services.msc and use it to stop and also disable the Windows Search service. (It will not stop you from searching if/when you need it. That service just basically speeds up searching, good for if you use it very often.)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7601.18247.x86fre.win7sp1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built Intel based
    CPU
    Pentium D 925 3.0 GHz socket 775, Presler @ ~ 3.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel DQ965MT
    Memory
    Hyundai 2 GB DDR2 @ 333 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS DirectCU II HD7790-DC2OC-2GD5 Radeon HD 7790 2GB 128-Bit GDDR5
    Sound Card
    MOTU Traveler firewire interface
    Hard Drives
    1 Seagate Barracuda SATA II system/boot drive 80 GB, 2 Western Digital hdds - 1 is SATA II Caviar Black 1 TB attached to card (assorted media, page, temp), other is SATA I 420 GB (games, media, downloads)
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W
    Cooling
    stock Gateway cooling, extra large fan in rear of case
    Keyboard
    Alienware/Microsoft Internet kb
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Optimum Online, fast for US
    Browser
    Pale Moon
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky integrated into ZoneAlarm+Antivirus
Thanks MasterChief
I did toy with the idea that it could be Avast but I guess my issue with that is that why is it sometimes ok and other times not? I also distinctively remember this issue happening before Avast was installed.
I didn't realise MSE is now at the level of Avast/Kaspersky etc but currently having just paid out for the Premium licence, hopefully it is not that.

In terms of system info/crash dumps etc, there are no crash dumps which is what is most frustrating as it's almost like the laptop thinks the hanging is "normal".

System info: Sony Vaio Pro 13 (SVP1321C5E). It's a i7 4th gen 4500-u. 8GB soldered to the board ram though ram is tested fine. It has a Toshiba 256gb PCI-e SSD which again is tested fine.
The drivers used are in the first post (link to the model driver page) though what I have noticed today is similar spec machines from Lenovo and HP are issuing much much newer drivers and specifically for W8.1 so I am thinking it might be an idea to format and use those drivers. Nothing tying them down to the laptops as they're things like the intel chipset/ccp/mei/graphics/audio/card reader but it might just help.

I do actually use search a lot and I have to say that this MAY be related to the fact I added C:\ to the index and have since disabled it...annoyingly, I cannot remember if the issue has since come back to light since removing C:\ but will monitor.

Hopefully this answers your queries - in short, I don't think Avast removal will sort it as I know it has happened prior to Avast being installed.

Thanks for your response on this
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Precision M3800
    CPU
    i7-4702HQ @ 2.20GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 4600/Intel Quadro K1100M
    Screen Resolution
    32200x1800
    Hard Drives
    Crucial CT480M500SSD3
    Liteon LCS-512M6S 2.5 7mm 512GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avast Premier!
You're very welcome.

Simply, how is it going?

If things are still not right, type msinfo32 into the Start Menu, press Enter. On the screen that opens, do this >>> File | Save.

Zip or rar the saved file then attach to a post here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7601.18247.x86fre.win7sp1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built Intel based
    CPU
    Pentium D 925 3.0 GHz socket 775, Presler @ ~ 3.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel DQ965MT
    Memory
    Hyundai 2 GB DDR2 @ 333 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS DirectCU II HD7790-DC2OC-2GD5 Radeon HD 7790 2GB 128-Bit GDDR5
    Sound Card
    MOTU Traveler firewire interface
    Hard Drives
    1 Seagate Barracuda SATA II system/boot drive 80 GB, 2 Western Digital hdds - 1 is SATA II Caviar Black 1 TB attached to card (assorted media, page, temp), other is SATA I 420 GB (games, media, downloads)
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W
    Cooling
    stock Gateway cooling, extra large fan in rear of case
    Keyboard
    Alienware/Microsoft Internet kb
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Optimum Online, fast for US
    Browser
    Pale Moon
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky integrated into ZoneAlarm+Antivirus
If you don't see anything in Event log viewer.
try to set power options for max performance (set disk to never go to sleep and make sure that CPU is not throttling).
In addition, maybe trim down services.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MSI
    CPU
    i7-4800MQ
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GeForce GTX 770M
    Browser
    Enhanced Protected Mode IE/protected mode Firefox
    Antivirus
    nope
    Other Info
    OpenNIC/DNSCrypt/VPN/EMET
MSE won't install on Windows 8 as it already had Windows Defender which is MSE under the old/new name.

Easy way to test. Uninstall Avast.
Enable Windows Defender.
Enable Windows Firewall (if not enabled).

Test for awhile and see what happens.

I'd think hardware is a more likely cause, memory or the hard drive.

To test memory, remove half and test for awhile. If it happens again swap memory and test.

To test the hard drive, use the manufacturers diagnostic:

Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
7 Free Hard Drive Testing Programs
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
Bootable Hard Drive Diagnostics
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
"The speed of processor 0 in group 0 is being limited.....

Hi Not sure if I can add to this... or should I create a new thread.?
I also found in my event log:

"The speed of processor 0 in group 0 is being limited by system firmware"

I have an HP Pavilion, i5 4200.
The only thing I have found, but does not solve it..is this
"The speed of processor 0 in group 0 is being limited by sys... - HP Support Forum - 2461239

Then a reference to this site: ParkControl is FREEWARE to tweak and disable Windows CPU core parking!
I do not see this parking effect.

I had also updated BIOS, HP recommended for 8.1 compatibility.
I think my entries appear just after boot/login.

Dave
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro
Sorry all, I didn't get any notifications (I don't think) so didn't check the thread.

For whatever reason, the system seems to have stabilised. I still want to do one more format/reinstall as I've had to do a few "dirty" shutdowns when it locked up

In terms of Ztrucker's response: Memory cannot be removed on this as it is soldered onboard however both memory and SSD has tested fine in a variety of tests.
The only thing I have changed in terms of config since this thread is an option in Avast whereby it loads it's own services AFTER the system services. I have since enabled this but unsure whether this is the solution in my case.

In terms of event viewer: the last processor 0 error was on the 10th but it has not since had a clean reboot so I may try later and then if it appears, set everything to maximum and re-test
The speed of processor 0 in group 0 is being limited by system firmware. The processor has been in this reduced performance state for 227921 seconds since the last report.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Precision M3800
    CPU
    i7-4702HQ @ 2.20GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 4600/Intel Quadro K1100M
    Screen Resolution
    32200x1800
    Hard Drives
    Crucial CT480M500SSD3
    Liteon LCS-512M6S 2.5 7mm 512GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avast Premier!
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