Hello there. So I have been using my Acer Nitro 5 (2018 NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1050 4GB version) for around 2 years. So this laptop was working very well for the first few days since I bought it. My gaming experience in this laptop is superb. But few days later, I felt that the laptop started taking too long to boot (I see 5 mins of black screen), and after reaching the desktop just after that bootup, the laptop becomes completely unusable for 5 minutes (due to 100% disk usage). (I have a 1TB HDD, and I dont have any additional drives/SSD)
So then, I sent my laptop to the Acer service center (since I had warranty). They replaced the disk, added more RAM (from 4GB to 12GB), and reinstalled Windows. But nothing really changed. Still the same slow laptop.
So I tried fixing things myself. I reinstalled windows, wiped the drive, downloaded and install every single Windows Update at "Check for Updates", updated every single driver. And things did improve.
- Bootup took 30 seconds (but common, thats still slow for a i5 8th Gen Processor)
- No more 100% disk usage problem after startup
- BUT, 100% disk usage appears AFTER 10 MINUTES after I bootup (comparing to earlier: this 100% disk usage happens just after bootup)
So as a fix, these were the things I did:
1) Error-checking in Properties of C Drive in "This PC" --- NO ERROR
2) CMD (administrator) chkdsk /f c: --- NO ERROR
3) Increase Virtual Memory (This PC > Properties > Adv. Sys. Settings > Performance > Settings > Advance > Virtual memory > Change to 18000)
4) Disable all startups (Task Manager)
5) Disable Windows Defender
- go to regedit (administrator)
- hkey local machine > software > policies > microsoft > windows defender > Create new file > 32 bit DWORD > Name as "DisableAntiSpyware" > Value "1"
- restart
6) Disable services (services.msc):
- Windows Defender & Firewall Service
- Windows Mobile Hotspot Service
- Print Spooler
- Fax
- Remote Desktop Configuration
- Remote Desktop Services
- Windows Insider Service
- Secondary Logon
- Downloaded Maps Manager
- Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service
- Offline Files
- Windows Connect Now
- Remote Registry
- Application Layer Gateway Service
- Smart Card
- Windows Image Acquisition
- Security Center
- Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
- Retail Demo Service
- Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
- AllJoyn Router Service
- Geolocation Service
- Windows Biometric Service
- Program Compatibility Assistant Service
- Enterprise App Management Service
- Bitlocker Drive Encryption Service
- Computer Browser
- Diagnostic Policy Service
- Diagnostic Tracking Service
- Distributed Link Tracking Client
- File History Service
- IP Helper
- Infrared monitor service
- Internet Connection Sharing
- Netlogon
- Parental Control
- Remote Registry
- TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
- Windows Error Reporting Service
- Xbox Live Game Save
- Xbox Live Auth Manager
- Phone Service
- Windows Mobile Hotspot Service
- Internet Explorer ETW Collector Service
- Skype Updater
- Hyper-V Heartbeat Service
- Auto Time Zone Update
- Bluetooth Handsfree Service
- Windows Search
- Windows Update (Only After Updating All Drivers/Updates/Windows)
7) Uninstall bloatwares
8) Update drivers
9) Update Windows from "Check for Updates"
Things did improve. Bootup took LESS THAN 2 Seconds. It was perfect. Until I realised that the 100% Disk Usage problem is still there.
So I did read some forums and watch some tutorials. Many of them blamed the Superfetch ("Sysmain") service as the cause of the 100% Disk Usage problem.
I couldn't agree more. While the 100% Disk Usage issue was going on, I tried ending the "Sysmain" task from Task Manager. Disk Usage then went to 0%.
Things do sound like I finally found a solution. Unfortunately, no.
I experimented and realised one thing.
- Whenever the Superfetch/Sysmain service is set to "Automatic" at services.msc, I experience superfast bootup (less than 3 secs), but 100% disk usage (for 2-3 mins) after 5 minutes after bootup.
- Whenever the Superfetch/Sysmain service is set to "Disabled", bootup takes 30 seconds, but Disk Usage is reduced very well.
But I need fast bootup and no 100% disk usage. This is only happening to my laptop. Common! Its a gaming laptop. Not somekinda old thrashy little *****. i5 Processor, 12 GB of RAM... for this?
I really need some help before I thrash this thing! I spent quite a money for this.