Random Slowdown

[Gongalong]

Hi folks,

 

I recently got a new Dell PC (i7 32GB RAM) which shipped with Win 10. I upgraded to Win 11, rather than a clean install, in case that's relevant.

 

I'm experiencing random slowdowns. Typically it will be after a reboot, and that session will then get the slowdown. It can be every few seconds e.g. I'm typing, irrespective of app, it will momentarily pause and then resume again. If I'm trying to scroll a window it will also pause. I've tried keeping an eye on Task Manager but nothing is leaping out as an intermittent CPU hog. In some sessions I don't have it.

 

Any ideas as to what could be causing it? To save me from flattening and reinstalling.

 

Thanks

[Squelch]

I had similar, the entire system would become unresponsive for a minute or two and then it would be fine again. Hasn't happened recently. Had the latest drivers and bios.

This was on a brand new laptop that shipped with W10.

No clue whatsoever as the cause or resolution (if it has been resolved).

[Gongalong]

This is for a fraction of a second, but then happens every few seconds. Weirdly it has now stopped (I haven't rebooted). I'm debating whether to log it with Dell but not expecting much help from their support. Just to add that the machine is fully up-to-date for drivers and windows updates.

 

It's one of those things where troubleshooting it will likely take more time and frustration than a reinstall.

[Davit2005]

Anything in event logs i.e. system logs? Drive issues issues?

[Gongalong]

Nothing in administrative events that ties in with the times. Brand new machine, not to say there isn't a drive issue. I'll fire up some drive checking software.

[PotNoodleTech]

Have you removed all the absolute garbage that manufacturers pre install dell this dell that support this support that sound this sound that.

 

Get rid of it all.

[Gongalong]

Good point. I had meant to, and normally I flatten and reinstall, but this time I upgraded from Dell's original Win 10 install to 11, then forgot about the crapware. Uninstalling now! Mostly it seems to be Dell optimisation and support rubbish. I did install Dell's update tool, so will keep that.

[Gongalong]

Since removing the Dell apps all seems good. Curious!

[PotNoodleTech]

Since removing the Dell apps all seems good. Curious!

 

Nice! This is why I re-image every device from scratch anyway. We install what we want, not want #manufacturer thinks we want!

[Gongalong]

Well I spoke to soon, the freezing is back again. Might log a ticket with Dell Support but I don't expect much from them. And might just reinstall Win 11 from scratch. Annoying.

[Gongalong]

Dell Support said to remove the power cable, then hold the power button for 10-12 seconds. Seems odd to me, but I have tried it. So far no recurrence, but it is weirdly intermittent. Next up is reinstalling Win 11 from scratch if it recurs.

[Fazza]

Dell Support said to remove the power cable, then hold the power button for 10-12 seconds

 

This is because removing the power cable does not remove all the power from your PSU as the capacitors will also store some power for a period of time, holding down the power button for 10-30 seconds after removing the power cables removes all the power from your computer so does a full/proper turn off of the computer. You can sometimes see this with a laptop power supply that has an LED on it, when you unplug some from the mains the LED remains on for a while as there is some residual power sill in the PSU itseld.

[Gongalong]

Not more than a couple of minutes though. I guess it's a way to be thorough.