Dell Inspiron Running Slow, Disc 100%

[stentor]

I've been having problems with my laptop for a while.

Ran all the onboard diagnostics, Malwarbytes, Dell support app- nothing seems to fix it.

Ran tasklist in the command prompt. Checked every file and nothing seemed malicious.

However, there were several files that seemed to be missing when I went to search for them and some had truncated names.

Any idea what's going on?

Where's the best place I can learn computer basics so I can learn more about how a PC functions?

Device name WINDOWS-TE2GL1H
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-7300HQ CPU @ 2.50GHz 2.50 GHz
Installed RAM 8.00 GB (7.87 GB usable)

System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display

Edition Windows 10 Home
Version 22H2
Installed on ‎12/‎16/‎2021
OS build 19045.3324
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.19041.1000.0

 

[pcrepair]

It sounds like you're experiencing issues with missing files and truncated filenames on your computer. To address this, follow these steps:

1. Check the Recycle Bin: Sometimes, files may have been accidentally deleted. Look in your Recycle Bin/Trash to see if they're there.

2. File Search: Double-check by searching for the files using the search bar in your file explorer. Maybe they have been accidentally moved to a different location.

3. System Restore: If you remember when the files were last accessible, you can perform a system restore to revert your computer to that state. Note that this will also undo other changes you've made since that time.

- Windows: Go to `Start` > `Control Panel` > `System and Maintenance` > `Backup and Restore` > `Recover system settings or your computer` > `Open System Restore`.
- macOS: Use Time Machine to revert to a previous backup.

4. Check for Malware Sometimes, malicious software can interfere with files. Run a thorough antivirus and malware scan.

5. Filesystem Check:
- **Windows**: Use the built-in `chkdsk` utility. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type `chkdsk /f` and press Enter. This will check and fix any filesystem errors.
- **macOS**: Use the built-in `Disk Utility` app. Click on `First Aid` to check and repair any issues.

6. File Name Length: If filenames are being truncated, it might be because they exceed the maximum character limit. Most filesystems like NTFS or FAT32 have limits on the filename length. Ensure your filenames are under that limit.

7. Check Software If a specific application is causing the truncation or loss, consider updating or reinstalling that software.

8. Backup: As a precautionary measure, always ensure you have regular backups of your important data. This can help in situations where files are lost or corrupted.

9. Professional Help: If you're unable to retrieve or fix the files on your own, you may want to consider seeking professional help from a computer technician or a data recovery specialist.

Remember, before making any significant changes or restorations, always back up any important data to prevent further data loss.