Windows Hiccups

My computer has been recently experiencing hiccups during common use. The computer will freeze for about 1-2 seconds every ten to fifteen seconds. This isn't do to any high cpu use cause all im running is my browser. But i have no idea where the problem came from and i have no idea to how to fix it. Any suggestions would by highly appreciated.

I'm running a Sony Vaio VPCF1 Notebook

Processor: Intel i7 Q740 @ 1.73 Ghz
RAM: 4 Gb
64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium SP1
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M

 

Problems like these can be a nightmare to pinpoint. What hard drive do you have and have you ran any tests to make sure it's in good order? Also, make sure your drivers are up to date, if you haven't already.

 

I've used Pitstop Driver Alert 2 to check which drivers i was missing and have installed all but the ones for my ethernet controller and wireless network adapter (i'm struggling with those).

I've also used BurnInTest to test my hardware. Everything seems to be normal.


Note: problems occur in both safe mode and safe mode with networking also.

 

Chipset drivers from Intel? Stuttering is usually the HDD or if chipset drivers aren't installed. That's my experience anyway. Chipset drivers would affect every mode, safe, safe w/network, and normal.

 

I used the Intel® Driver Update Utility to check the chipset driver and i believe everything is up to date.

How would i go about accurately checking if something is wrong with my HDD.

This is the one i have:

MKxx56GSY Support

 

Use HDTune to check your smart status.

 

Under the health tab i get warnings for

(05) Reallocated Sector Count: Number of damaged sectors which have been replaced; 200.

(C4) Reallocated Event Count
(C5) Current Pending Sector: 3 unstable sectors

The status for everything else is ok.

Should i run other ttests under HD Tune?

 

I'd say back up your stuff now... if it's reporting any bad sectors it's a lot more prone to failure than normal. Bad sectors are parts of the disk platter that can't be used because of malfunction.

If you still are under warranty, it'll cover a HDD replacement.

 

So the problem is unfix-able? Even If i were to revert to a backup that i made when i initially purchased my computer? (was planning on doing this but im at school, and home (and the backup) are far far away)

I'm still under warranty i believe.

How long would you predict such a replacement would take?

 

It's not that the problem is un-fixable. It's that there's always a risk, no matter how small, that you could permanently lose things were it to be truly un-fixable.

So, make your backup ASAP and then run a utility that does a deep scan (bit for bit) of the HDD and that reallocates those sectors that need it.

My OEM HDD came with 49 for the reallocated sector count. One of them became quite problematic and I could not transfer large files back and forth. I called up Sony and they put me through the Recovery Center utility (outside of Windows). It was a 4hr scan/repair process, but the sector was moved successfully and the drive has functioned smoothly ever since.

 

Which utility should i use and/or how can i find the Recovery Center Utility.

I apologize if the answers to these questions are straight forward. And i thank you for all the assistance.

 

Sorry, I didn't read your full message and didn't realize that you DO have a VAIO F Series.

You will be able to find more VAIO specific help in this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...-series-i5-i7-owners-thread-part-5-a-371.html

Ok, to get into the Recovery Center you can do it one of several ways. Easiest is to simply press ASSIST while powered down. You can also press F10 during boot up before Windows begins to load.

Those options will take you into the VAIO Recovery Center, where you'll be able to use the hardware diagnostic and repair (not sure if that's the correct name, but it sounds fancy enough). I don't recomment the quick test, as it didn't catch the error on my HDD and still took a while, relatively speaking. Just go for the gusto and make sure you don't need your lappy for an evening or so - do the full test and see what the tool can do.

Lemme guess, you got a Seagate OEM drive? I HATE MY SEAGATE. I took it out and replaced it with fantastic Hitachi. Am now waiting for the 750GB 7200RPM Hitachi to be released.

If you have any more questions about the Recover Center Utility, come over to the VAIO F Forum.