Multiple drive slowdown

[cmpoirot]

Hi guys, I've got a bit of weird question; I've never run into this problem with windows before.

 

I've got a system that has 3 drives on it:

C: has OS and small programs (SATA SSD)

D: long term storage of mainly pictures and some games (HDD)

F: fast drive for editing photos on (NVME SSD)

 

Recently I've had a problem where the HDD will slow to almost stopping with simple file transfers after editing photos. I've been waiting for hours just to get a 10GB transfer done. My thoughts are that the HDD is failing, and I need to get my data off ASAP, but the thing that's weird is that it effects more than just the files located on the HDD. When I do the transfer, it will make my entire system freeze within about 2 mins of starting the transfer.

 

So I guess my question is, am I correct in my diagnosis of a failing HDD, and what would make it so the rest of the system basically crashes when that's located on a different drive?

[Master Disaster]

Download Crystal Disk Info and check the HDDs SMART status. It will tell you if the drive is OK, in poor health or dying.

[cmpoirot]

Thanks! Strangely Crystal Disk Info says the drive is in good health, so I'm running the Windows error checking utility to see if that will give any extra insight

[homeap5]

Replace sata cable. Always start with checking connections, cables etc.

[Intergalacticbits]

I'm just wondering, is the crystal disk info telling you anything about the hardware of the HDD or just the condition of the disks themselves? (Bad sectors and what not.)

Because I was thinking maybe the HDD is failing but it is not a disk problem that is causing the failure but the actual hardware itself.

 

I've heard people say many times to beware when HDDs start slowing down like that and make sure you back everything up quick.

If you haven't already.

 

Did you try to defrag the HDD ?  I know people don't do that much anymore because windows 10 does that itself but manually running the defrag on my laptop has made a big difference for me at times.