Tests I can do on my laptop?

I got a thinkpad edge 14 with core i3 m370 processor

I went to Bestbuy today, and I fiddled with one of their laptops with an i3. I noticed that the response was much better than my laptop. On theirs, Firefox opens up instantly. On mine, there's usually a delay.

Everything on this laptop feels slower than it should be. For certain applications, it takes quite a while for it to open.

Also, I'm hearing sounds from my hard drive from time to time. Sometimes, it's quiet. Other times, when I'm not even multitasking, it clicks. Even though the hard drive is a mechanical device, I don't think I'm suppose to hear the clicks I'm hearing. The clicking is becoming more frequent.

Are there tests I can run to see if there's somehting wrong with my laptop?

 

Clicking is never good to hear on a hdd. Run some diagnostics hdd software and confirm the hdd is good or bad.
Srry i cant give any recomendations, i formating my laptop atm or id pull up my list.

 

i ran the lenovo hard drive quick test like someone told me. It passed all the small tests.

 

How many processes do you have running?

And, is this a clean install or the default as shipped?

 

K then do you have a lot of programs loaded on your laptop? Perhaps theyre stealing performance.
Check for viruses and malware.

 

I'm positive my laptop doesn't have viruses

And no, I'm not running 4-5 apps at the same time. I'm simply browsing the internet with Firefox.

I didn't reinstall W7 if that's what you mean.

 

That is not the right answer to my question.

How many processes are running?

Also, what A/V are you using?

(Definitely recommend a clean Win7 install either way).

 

task manager says 74 processes

what's A/V

Why should I reinstall win 7?

Can someone just tell me what's going on? why is my laptop not running as fast as it should be? And what should I do about this clicking of the hard drive?

 

A/V is anti virus.

A clean install will ensure that no bloatware is slowing down your system.

We don't know what is going on - you are the one with the machine.

The BB computer at the store was more responsive than yours because it is on all day and has fully optimized itself.

Well, the processess seem a little high, but well within reason (I'm running 91 right now).

Do tell us what A/V you're running and how do you 'know' that you have no viruses?

Also, with nothing running - is your cpu usage close to 0%?

 

McAfee; I know my computer doesn't have viruses because I believe I scanned for viruses in the last two days. In addition, I haven't visited any malicious websites. I've had this laptop for like 2 weeks.

with nothing running, the cpu usage fluctuates between 0 and 4. Strange thing is when I first open the task manager, cpu usage is at 54%. It would then drop down to the 0-4 range.

 

Opening up TM, a high cpu % is normal.

Uninstall McAfee and install MSE instead.

See:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

 

For one, having an antivirus does not mean your safe it means you have more security.
For two, ditch McAfee unless you paid for it.. According to AV comparatives there are better alternatives.. AND they are free.
Security Essentials, ESET NOD32, Avira are all good choices for anti virus. Security Essentials is probably the most user-friendly.
For Malware:
Malwarebytes is probably one of the most user-friendly malware removal softwares available.

These two plus a good safe internet practice and windows updates and you should remain clean.

Yeah it's normal for the CPU usage to spike up when task manager is opened then drop back down.
Could you go to Task manager-> Performance-> Resource Monitor -> Wait a few seconds.. -> take a picture of the bar graphs on the left and upload it so we can view it. I want to see where this usage that is causing your delay is coming from.

 

here you go:


Pictures by yaganon - Photobucket


It's the first 2 pics

 

Uhmm this is odd... There is no significant usage.
Uninstall McAfee let us know how your laptop is running afterwards.

 

I didn't uninstall McAfee. I'll take care of the A/V issue later.

A guy at bestbuy told me that my 2 GB ram could be the limiting factor in the noticeable difference. But then again, he's just a college student, like me.

Should I take it to bestbuy and let them take a look?

 

Okay, you come here asking for help and you refuse to use it?

Now, you think taking it to BB, where their best answer will be 'spend more money' with us now is a good idea?

If I were a mean person, I would tell you to do just that.

Instead, I'll ask you politely once more; uninstall McAfee and see how fast your notebook really is.

 

I uninstalled McAfee, and installed MSE. The computer is noticeably faster and more responsive.

thank you