[rshaffer61]

OK lets work on the startup slowness which seems to be with the bootloader in win7. Please go HERE and follow the instructions for running the Startup Repair and see if that will straighten the issue up for you.

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have you check the bios and see what the drives transfer rate is set to...same for the OS

[happyrock]

have you check the bios and see what the drives transfer rate is set to...same for the OS

[MSC2]

rshaffer61, some improvement. System Repair ran overnight and I allowed it do a system restore. I rebooted this morning and Booting to the login screen was quick about 30 seconds. I logged in 35 minutes ago, and its gone to through the WELCOME screen, to the black screen before the desktop loads, where it sits now. I have to leave for the day, so I won't be able to check it further until tonight.

Happyrock, I'll check the bios settings later.

OK, as I type this my desktop background loaded (icons to follow).

Edited by MSC2, 15 November 2011 - 06:16 AM.

[rshaffer61]

Small improvement so that is good. Try Happyrocks instructions and then let us know.

[MSC2]

I don't see anywhere to specifically set the drive transfer rate in the BIOS. The BIOS information for the two drives in my RAID appear to be reading properly "Feature Support = NCQ 6G 48bits, and the Current Speed = 6G". These however are read-only values, so I don't see how I can change anything regarding the drives or the RAID controller.

As for operation, it's still very sluggish whenever I try to run anything, and I'm still getting the counterfeit Windows 7 message pop-up and inscription on my desktop wallpaper.

Edited by MSC2, 15 November 2011 - 07:35 PM.

[MSC2]

Also, it looks like booting up to the login screen is still slow, and does vary. As I mentioned - this morning it went quickly all the way to the login screen, but just now it bogged down after STARTING WINDOWS and the multi-colored logo appeared. On another attempt, it bogged down even before the STARTING WINDOWS text appeared.

Edited by MSC2, 15 November 2011 - 08:09 PM.

[happyrock]

first thing is to fix the counterfeit Windows 7 message by contacting MS by phone

then try running chkdsk /r on the RAID...I personally had terrible and frequent issues when I had a RAID 0 setup

[MSC2]

I'm starting to think I may have a failing drive or RAID controller. I'm getting a missing directory error when it tries to load my wallpaper, claiming that the desktop directory is missing. Since I may be looking at having to reinstall windows, I'm wondering what my best option would be assuming I don't want to loose any of the data on my RAID drives. I'm pretty sure I can only access them while they're connected to RAID port, so accessing them from another system is likely not possible.

Given that, I'm thinking about one of the following:
1) buying another HD and installing a 2nd copy of Windows 7 OS on it (not RAID) and boot from there. I'm thinking I should be able to retrieve all my data from the RAID drives after I boot from the parallel W7 installation. Once everything is copied from my RAID drives, I can just turn off the RAID controller and use the HD's as data drives (assuming they're still good).
2) buying another 1TB drive and taking out one of the drives in the RAID and replacing it with the new drive. Let the RAID rebuild itself - if possible (assuming I have a failing drive and the one I removed was the problem drive. If not remove the other one and put the first one back in and replace it). Of course if the RAID control is the culprit then all bets are off.
Any other ideas? I figure choice 1 might be the better option, because I'm not really upsetting anything on my existing system.

Edited by MSC2, 16 November 2011 - 07:50 PM.

[TechgeeksUnited]

I've had this same problem before. If anyone else had accessed the computer before you then there maybe a chance that some infections has gotten into your computer.

Edited by rshaffer61, 16 November 2011 - 08:47 PM.
Removed Malware advice

[MSC2]

No, I hadn't gotten to seriously checking for infections. I did try running MalwareBytes but it was wound up cancelling it after about a 1/2 hour with hardly any progress. It would be easier to run something from CD (e.g. AVG Recovery), although likely not as effective.

[rshaffer61]

TechGeeksUnited though we appreciate your advice the Terms Of Use clearly state that only malware techs can give malware advice and even then it is only to be given in the malware forum. If there is a suspicion of a infection then I suggest you read the 'Start Here' topic found HERE. With these self-help tools you have a high chance of fixing the problems on your own. If you are still having problems after following Step 3 of the guide, continue with Step 4 and 5 and post in the Malware Forum. If you are unable to run any programs, Please create a topic stating what you have tried so far and that you are unable to run any programs. Also, Please do NOT post the logs in this thread.

If you are still having issues after the malware expert gives you a clean bill of health, Please return to THIS thread and we will pursue other options to help you solve your current problem(s).
Add a link to this topic so that malware tech can see what steps have been taken here

[MSC2]

rshaffer61, Thanks again for your help, but I'm a little surprised by your last post. I thought we were working on a possible OS (or hardware) related problem. and I've been appreciative of your help and been trying each step as you described, so other than techgeeksunited suggestion about running some anti-virus, I'm not sure where the suspicion of malware entered into our efforts. Perhaps my reply about running MalwareByte, but that was tried very early on and yielded no results other than proving my system was dog slow. I was just replying to the question asked.

If you think there's a chance of Malware, please let me know and I'll pursue it in the appropriate forum. but I had assumed that you had pretty much ruled that out.

Again, I thank you tremendously for your efforts, and I would still appreciate any assistance you can offer.

Edited by MSC2, 16 November 2011 - 09:14 PM.

[rshaffer61]

I'm not ruling out anything at this point and my last post is in response to the post by TechGeeksUnited.
I was actually waiting on the results from post 37 before continuing.

[MSC2]

OK, sorry.

I'm trying to accomplish two things, both with great difficulty. First, I'm trying to backup data on my C Drive, and second trying to resolve the counterfeit windows issue. Neither is working very well this machine is so slow that I really can't do anything with it. Backing up data would take weeks at this rate, and when I following the FAKE WINDOWS popup link, it's failing to launch my web browser. I didn't have time to call MS last night, so I'll give that a try tonight, but truthfully, I don't know I'll be able to do anything to fix my computer while talking to them. Loading any application is ridiculously slow (Notepad takes several minutes. The START window popup takes minutes to appear).

I guess if you think that malware is a possibility it may make more efficient use of time to pursue that road first.

[rshaffer61]

First, I'm trying to backup data on my C Drive

This can be accomplished without using Windows at all. Using a Linux Live cd bypasses using Windows and loads completely into memory.

Use Puppy Linux Live CD to Recover Your Data:

===================
***Required Hardware***
CD Burner (CDRW) Drive,
Blank CD,
Extra Storage Device (USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive)
===================

1. Save these files to your Desktop/Burn Your Live CD:

• Download Latest Puppy Linux ISO (i.e.: lupu-520.iso)
  Download BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software
  
  
• Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer
• Extract All files to a location you can remember
• Double Click BurnCDCC
• Click Browse and navigate to the Puppy Linux ISO file you just downloaded
• Open/Double Click that file
  IMPORTANT: Adjust the speed bar to CD: 4x DVD: 1x
• Click Start
• Your CD Burner Tray will open automatically
• Insert a blank CD and close the tray
• Click OK

Puppy Linux Live CD will now be created
2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second

• Start the computer/press the power button
• Immediately start tapping the appropriate key to enter the BIOS, aka "Setup"
  (Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen)
• Once in the BIOS, under Advanced BIOS Options change boot priority to:
  CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd
• Open your ROM drive and insert the disk
• Press F10 to save and exit
• Agree with "Y" to continue
• Your computer will restart and boot from the Puppy Linux Live CD
  
  

3. Recover Your Data

• Once Puppy Linux has loaded, it is actually running in your computer's Memory (RAM). You will see a fully functioning Graphical User Interface similar to what you normally call "your computer". Internet access may or may not be available depending on your machine, so it is recommended you print these instructions before beginning. Also, double clicking is not needed in Puppy. To expand, or open folders/icons, just click once. Puppy is very light on resources, so you will quickly notice it is much speedier than you are used to. This is normal. Ready? Let's get started.
  
  3a. Mount Drives
• Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop.
• A Window will open. By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted. Click on Mount for your hard drive.
• Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount.
• USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted.
• If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab. Mount it now.

3b. Transfer Files.

• At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon.
• Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1
• Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1
• If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows)
• From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window.

For The Novice: The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders is: Documents and Settings >> All Users (or each idividual name of each user. CHECK All Names!) >> Documents >> You will now see My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos.

Remember to only click once! No double clicking! Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy. Choose COPY each time you drag and drop.

YOU ARE DONE!!! Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer. Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption. Congratulations!





If you're doing this to recovery from a virus or malware infection, (or even if you're not), DO NOT copy executable files (.exe, .scr. etc...) if any of these files are infected you could be copying the corruption over to any new device/computer. just copy documents, pictures, music, or videos.