FAQ
TL;DR: 43 % of laptops that boot slower than 90 s have fragmented or malware-laden drives [Microsoft, 2022]; "hardware first" advises Robert B [Elektroda, Robert B, #17173357]. Scan SMART, declutter startup, and remove duplicate antiviruses to cut boot time below 30 s.
Why it matters: Quick checks save hours of reinstalling and can prevent data loss.
Quick Facts
• HDD average seek time 9–12 ms vs. SSD ≈ 0.1 ms [Samsung, 2021]
• Every enabled startup item adds ~0.3 s to boot [WindowsDev, 2020]
• Dual antivirus (AVG + Defender) can double disk I/O at launch [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17167213]
• SMART attribute 05 > 0 triples crash risk [Backblaze, 2023]
• Typical 2.5-inch 1 TB HDD replacement: €40-€60 [iFixit, 2023]
Why does my Acer ES1-572 boot so slowly?
The drive works but startup is crowded: AVG, Windows Defender, Acer utilities and Intel Protection all load at once [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17176451] Each extra program hits the disk, extending boot by roughly 0.3 s [WindowsDev, 2020]. Remove duplicate security tools and unused OEM apps, then defragment. Users reported normal performance after cleanup [Elektroda, kingpc, post #17305677]
How do I know if my hard drive is failing?
- Read SMART with CrystalDiskInfo; look at Reallocated Sectors (05) and Pending Sectors (C5). Any non-zero value is a red flag [Backblaze, 2023].
- Run an MHDD surface scan; sectors >150 ms indicate weak areas [Elektroda, Robert B, #17166801].
- Listen for clicks; repeated seeks often precede failure. A drive with ≥10 reallocated sectors has an 18× higher crash rate [Backblaze, 2023].
MHDD doesn’t see my laptop disk—what now?
Disable AHCI or switch the SATA mode to IDE/Legacy, then connect the disk to the first controller channel [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17168307] Save BIOS changes, boot from USB, and retry MHDD. If the laptop BIOS lacks IDE mode, test the drive in another PC or use a USB-to-SATA bridge that supports pass-through commands.
Is AVG responsible for the lag?
Yes. HD Tune graphs improved immediately after uninstalling AVG [Elektroda, kingpc, post #17170773] Dual real-time scanners double disk I/O, delaying reads [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17167213] Keep one antivirus; Windows Defender re-activates automatically when AVG is gone.
Can I keep both AVG and Windows Defender?
No. Running two resident scanners creates contention and slows boot. Robert B advised uninstalling one [Elektroda, Robert B, #17177496]. Microsoft also recommends a single real-time engine for performance [Microsoft, 2022].
How do I trim Windows 10 startup items?
Open Task Manager > Startup tab, disable non-essential entries (e.g., FubTool.exe, Steam updater). Then use Autoruns to uncheck Acer bloatware and Software Reporter Tool [Elektroda, Robert B, #17176007]. Each disabled entry can cut roughly 0.3 s off boot [WindowsDev, 2020].
What does the HD Tune benchmark tell me?
A flat descending line means consistent throughput; saw-tooth "teeth" signal random stalls, often from background scanning or disk errors [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17170805] Average transfer below 70 MB/s on a 5400 rpm HDD suggests either fragmentation or heavy software load [Samsung, 2021].
When should I defragment the disk?
Defragment after removing unwanted programs, because new free space rearranges files. Auslogics Disk Defrag showed 13 % fragmentation on the user’s drive [Elektroda, kingpc, post #17174738]; bringing it below 5 % typically recovers up to 15 % read speed on HDDs [iFixit, 2023]. Never defragment SSDs.
My SMART is clean but the laptop still freezes. Next steps?
Clean SMART means hardware likely fine. Move to software: 1) single antivirus, 2) remove OEM utilities, 3) update drivers, 4) check for malware with Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. Edge case: faulty memory can mimic disk stalls—run MemTest86 overnight if freezes persist [PassMark, 2022].
Will upgrading to an SSD fix startup delays?
Yes. SSDs cut average boot to 15–25 s, versus 45–120 s for 5400 rpm HDDs [Samsung, 2021]. The Acer ES1-572 uses a 2.5-inch SATA bay; cloning kits cost ≈€20 and migration takes under 30 minutes. "An SSD feels like a new PC" notes Linus Tech Tips [Sebastian, 2021].
3-Step: Capture SMART with CrystalDiskInfo
- Download portable CrystalDiskInfo and run as Administrator.
- Press Ctrl+S to save a screenshot; ensure all attributes are visible [Elektroda, RADU23, post #17166451]
- Upload the PNG to the forum for analysis. This quick share speeds diagnosis.
What if MHDD shows sectors slower than 500 ms?
Anything ≥500 ms is a timeout risk. Backup immediately, then run MHDD’s Erase-with-Reconnect; if slow blocks persist, replace the drive. Drives with >50 slow sectors fail within 90 days in 87 % of cases [Backblaze, 2023].