External USB HDD Suddenly Makes R2 Very Sluggish

Hey guys.

Hoping someone could help me out with a problem that has JUST popped up out of nowhere, after many regular external USB HDD uses.

Whereas before the USB drive would be quickly detected and could then be accessed, it now takes an age to be recognised (and then subsequently browsing between folders is slow), during which time the entire system becomes sluggish as hell. Apps become unresponsive etc. This happens with all the USB drives I have attached.

This could be (un)related, but my internet seems to have stopped working over the wired LAN, and now only seems to work over wireless. I say could be, because my internet/router has always been a lil wonky.

Like I mentioned, this problem seemed to just pop up out of nowhere - I didn't install/uninstall any apps/drivers etc.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated, TY!

EDIT:- if I need to uninstall/reinstall any drivers, would you kindly let me know exactly which ones in the device manager, ty!

 

Bump!

Problem still persists guys. Lacking time since new job to properly troubleshoot by messing around with drivers etc so would really appreciate it if someone just told me what to un/reinstall in drivers to get this working again. At least I'm assuming it's driver related.

Thank you muchly!

 

Usually the symptom of a failing drive. Windows hangs/freezes as it is trying to read/interpret the file system. SMART test of the external?