Solved Computer Running Slowly, Games Barely Play

[poopscoot]

I just went ahead and downloaded an installer on my usb, and I'm just going to reset my computer. I probably have malware or such so it'll wash my system clean, if that doesn't work, something must be wrong with my hardware. So, I'll just store the hundreds of megabytes of save files to my Dropbox and be done with it.

 

[popeye]

Are these the drivers you have installed? https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/24329/Intel-HD-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-7-8-8-1-64-bit

 

[poopscoot]

I've said more than once that it was Microsoft Basic Display Adapter.

 

[popeye]

Well that is a problem then. You may want to run this: Intel® Driver Update Utility

Only trying to help. Won't post again.

 

[poopscoot]

Well, I wasn't trying to be rude, or anything. I'm a bit frustrated, is all, I'll try it but I've set my mind to just resetting the laptop.

 

[poopscoot]

Well, I've ran into yet another problem. I noticed that I'll need a registry key to install windows 8.1 again. And, well, I don't believe I got a key when I got the computer, so do I really have to buy a registration key?

 

[popeye]

No, it should be embedded in the UEFI BIOS chip and will automatically activate when you re-install. You should have a recovery and refresh option.

 

[poopscoot]

Well, the only reason I was doing that was because I asked my techy teacher for help and he said I would have to install windows by using a usb with a version of windows on it. So, I guess you saved me from a lot of wasted time. *praise*

 

[popeye]

You should have a a partition that has the OS on it for refresh/recovery. Just a matter of selecting a few options. Similar to this:

 

[poopscoot]

What exactly is a partition? I'm fairly computer illiterate.

 

[CountMike]

What exactly is a partition? I'm fairly computer illiterate.

A physical disk divided into logical parts so it appears as multiple disks. You can have visible (to OS) that have a letter assigned to it and invisible without a letter, Typically UEFI, restore etc. partitions. Your OS partition is typically C:

 

[poopscoot]

That's a lot more clear now, thanks. So making myself completely sure, if I wipe my harddrive it'll attempt to download Windows again? I really don't want to be without a computer.

 

[popeye]

No, if you wipe your hard drive you will have nothing. As explained before, you should have a recovery option available on you computer to refresh or recover.
Windows will not download automatically. You need to access the recovery partition or download the Windows ISO before wiping anything.

 

[poopscoot]

What'll be in the recovery partition that'll help after it's wiped. I'm not getting what you're telling me.

 

[popeye]

Type PC Settings in search bar hit enter, then choose update and recovery, then recovery.

 

[poopscoot]

I'm sorry for not understanding earlier, I get it now. Okay, well, I'm backing up everything I need right now. I'll get back to you guys in a couple days when everything is done and restored.

 

[poopscoot]

It's all working, I backed up anything I wanted to keep onto a few cds and then restarted my computer using the recovery. From what I can see it's a huge success, and thank you for helping me, and sorry for not understanding.