Why Is My Laptop Hard Drive Running Constantly?

Constant hard drive running may be caused by a lack of RAM memory

A hard drive should be accessed by the computer frequently when powering the machine on or when using applications. However, it is not normal for the computer to have constant hard drive activity. When this occurs it usually is assumed that the problem is a virus, but a constantly running hard drive can be caused by several factors.

Swap File Use

A computer will have a hard time running several processes at the same time when it is working on a small amount of RAM memory. Therefore, it must resort to excessive swap file use or its virtual memory. The swap file is located on the hard drive and the processor will refer to it constantly. For instance, if you have 256 MB of RAM and 6 or more programs are open at once, you may find that your hard drive is spinning constantly. The solution is to install more RAM.

Start Up Programs

A large number of start up programs and peer-to-peer programs running in the Windows background also can cause constant hard drive spinning. By pressing the "Ctrl + Alt +Del" keys simultaneously and bringing up the task manager window, you can see the number of processes being run. Terminate those processes you don't want and then access the start-up programs by selecting "Run" under the "Start" window, and typing in the word "msconfig." Uncheck the start-up programs you don't need to start with Windows.

Virus & Malware

Viruses and malware also can cause a hard drive to work constantly. Removing these viruses is essential to returning your computer to normalcy. Update your antivirus or install a new free antivirus software program, like AVG, Avira or Avast.

References

• Virtual Memory: How to Fix Virtual Memory Issues
• Of Zen And Computing: How To Stop Programs That Start Up Automatically On Windows Xp
• Colby Sawyer College: Slow Computer Syndrome