Hard drive ageing slowing things down?

[rliu]

This may be a question many have asked before but can the ageing of a hard drive have significant effects on your computer's performance? The one in my current PC is about four years old and I can say for definite that my computer is slower now then it once was. I'm not surprised by any means but was wondering if this is more due to more programmes and memory being used or because the hard drive is becoming worn out?

 

[Peddant]

The hard drive is the least likely cause of your computer slowing down.Running checkdisk occasionally is always a good idea though.

Here are the main causes Why is my PC slowing downand How can I make my PC run faster.

 

[SNGX1275]

Really the only thing that would make your drive slow down with age would be bad sectors. After that its most certainly software related.

 

[rliu]

Following on from this, what's the normal age span for a hard drive under non-intensive use i.e. 5-8 hours a day?

 

[DelJo63]

cleanup (ie delete) old junk no longer useful
empty \temp \windows\temp
\Doc & Settings\$yourlogin\Local Settings\Temporary Internet files

run chkdsk /f from SAFE MODE

THEN defrag the HD while still in SAFE MODE

::- your disk will then give the best it has to offer

If you're still concerned, look elsewhere, eg: memory usage, number of
concurrent programs running