Issues with long disk management load times and slow shutdowns.
Issues with long disk management load times and slow shutdowns.
Hi folks! I'm back again since there is trouble in paradise. Namely, i have software issues with my new Astral build. Specs: https://fr.pcpartpicker.com/b/3z6rxr The two issues i've battled with for the past week, are: * way too long load/initiation time of Disk Management * long shut down (full power off) time More of that below, but 1st off, the formalities (timeline); 1. CPU-MoBo-RAM combo assembly went without issues. 2. Breadboarded the build, using PSU, monitor, KB from my Aurora (Skylake) build. 3. BIOS update from 3.20 to 3.40 (latest). 4. Enabled Secure Boot and TPM. 5. Installed Win11 from legit Win11 Pro retail USB drive (by following Darkbreeze guide: https://forums. ) 6. Once in desktop, i let Win to do it's updates to the latest. 7. Installed needed drivers (source: https://pg.asrock.com/mb/AMD/X870E Nova WiFi/index.asp#Download ), like: chipset, Realtek audio, LAN, Bluetooth, Network, RestartToUEFI, AMD Adrenaline (due to iGPU) and Firefox. 8. MoBo swap (build assembly into PC case). Also added two drives (980 1TB and 870 Evo 2TB from old build, to new build as data drives). Also enabled RAM EXPO to 6400 MT/s which holds fine. 9. Installed Nvidia drivers (manual drivers search, source: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/drivers/ ) 10. Switched from online account to local account (used this guide: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/change-mi...windows-10 ) 11. Uninstalled some of the bloatware, like: Edge, Copilot, Onedive, Snipping, Sticky Notes, Widgets, Weather. 11. Started to install additional software, like: MalwareBytes Premium, Chrome, Steam, Microsoft Teams (required software for my wife), Sysinternals Process Explorer, Sysinternals Autoruns. 12. Win did it's update. Took way too long but was completed. After the Win update, i started to see signs of slowness/sluggishness. E.g MalwareBytes (MWB for short) did not automatically launch at win log-in. When i opened Disk Management, it took way too long to load. Cold boot (from full shut down) took way too long. Same with full shut down (power off). For the past week, i've been in contact with MWB support to solve the issue with MWB and i don't expect solving that issue here in TH forums (but it would be bonus). What i'm seeking help with, is the other issues build has. More in-depth about issues; 1. Long cold boot time - Solved. Initially, after full assembly, build took 4 mins and 16 seconds from power on until Win log-in screen appeared. For comparison, my 2nd new build, Aurora, took 58 seconds. During my troubleshoot of that issue, i: * disabled Fast Boot from OS and in BIOS. * power plan from Balanced to High Performance. * thought that build is doing memory training constantly. Looked from BIOS, but couldn't find the proper spot (AsRock BIOS is far more complex than that of a MSI) and BIOS manual doesn't help much either. * looked debug LED, it was stuck on B4 for a long time. * B4 is USB Hotplug error. * fix was easy, disconnect all USB devices and look which one has the issue. * turned out that old Logitech webcam was the culprit. Without it plugged to the system, cold boot is fast, less than 1 minute, same as with my main build. * issue solved. 2. Long full shut down time - Unsolved. Troubleshoot thus far: * enabled verbose windows shutdown via registry (found it from this topic: https://forums. ). * tried the shutdown /s /f /t 000 command in terminal. I've recorded shut down processes with my phone and; When i use the terminal command, PC (Astral) shuts off very fast. Within 8 seconds to complete power-off. Similar time to my fine working Aurora build. But when i select shut down from taskbar, it takes very long, 1 minute and 48 seconds. On normal shut down; After clicking on Shut Down icon/link, nothing happens. Desktop is still showing for 43 seconds (i can navigate in file explorer etc). Once desktop disappears, black screen with wording "Shut Down" and windows loading icon is seen. Nothing else, despite i enabled the verbose windows shutdown via registry. It takes another 50 seconds before PC starts to show: "shutting down service, stopping service" etc. Once PC starts to show stopping services, it takes ~12 seconds until full power off. Now, i know that there are some services/programs that can hang the shut down process, since terminal command will shut down PC fast. Sadly, i do not have software troubleshooting know-how on what to do. My expertise lies in hardware issues. What little i've tried; * complete uninstall of MWB. * before initiating shut down: kill/end process of: Steam, MS Teams, Firefox/Chrome No dice. 3. Long load time of Disk Management - Unsolved. I recorded with my phone the initiation time for both builds, Aurora and Astral. On my main build, Aurora, Disk Management takes 3 seconds before showing all the drives and their partitions. (5 drives in total connected) On my 2nd build, Astral, Disk Management takes 2 minutes and 23 seconds before it shows the drives and their partitions. (3 drives in total connected) When starting Disk Management, it is stuck at "Connecting to Virtual Disk Service..." for 2 minutes and 10 seconds. After that, the "Loading disk configuration information" takes for 13 seconds, before all disks and partitions show up. Troubleshoot thus far: * installed Samsung Magician. It took solid 30 mins before it launched. It was constantly between "scanning for drives" and "checking data from servers". * once Magician launched, all seemed fine. Except that when i selected another drive, it took a bit of "scanning for drive" before Magician showed data about the drive. * looked S.M.A.R.T. data for all 3 drives (9100 Pro 1TB, 980 1TB, 870 Evo 2TB). All were "good". * did short Diagnostic scan for all 3 drives. All was in order. * did short S.M.A.R.T. scan for all 3 drives. All was in order. * did long S.M.A.R.T. scan for 9100 Pro. All was in order. * error checking for all 3 drives. (980 had some fixes, 870 was fine, don't know about 9100 but it completed without issues.) * firmware update for 980 1TB. Took a long time but completed successfully. All other drives have latest firmware. * disconnected 870 Evo and ODD (both SATA devices) to see if it helped. It didn't. Disk management still takes long time to load and PC long time to shut down. I can access and read/write data on all 3 drives without issues. Other, general troubleshoot thus far: * SFC /scannow - no issues found * DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth - no issues found * DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth - no issues found * DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth - no issues found * SFC /scannow - no issues found * disk cleanup (followed this Darkbreeze guide: https://forums. ) * created 2nd local account (to see if initial local account was corrupted), no dice. Disk Management and long shut down is still an issue there too. At this point, i'm exhausted and don't know what else to do. I have few shots in the dark remaining, like taking out 980 1TB from MoBo, IF there would be an issue of a failing drive. I have it currently installed in M.2_5 slot, which is Gen3 x2 slot, despite the drive being Gen3 x4. But i don't think this can be the issue. Since on my main build, i have 960 Evo (Gen3 x4) drive installed in Gen3 x2 slot and drive works fine, without slowing down the system. That, and i can access 980 1TB without issues and data from Samsung Magician showed the drive being in good working order as well. Now, MWB support suggested to do system restore, since there is one restore point in the system at about the time when initial issues started to appear. But like with everything Micro$oft, the system restore didn't work. Got an error of AV blocking it. 1st time around, i didn't have MWB running at all (confirmed it from Process Explorer) but it was installed in system. 2nd time around, with no MWB running, i manually disabled Windows Defender and all it's protections and still no dice. Another option would be format C: drive and making clean Win11 install again. But i'd avoid it, since i need to plop other drives out and to get access to 980 1TB, i need to plop out GPU beforehand. Also, the issue doesn't seem as severe to warrant clean install. As it stands currently; * Astral build is fast and snappy when navigating within desktop. Also when browsing the web and playing games (light-weight ones, like Mysterium or Wingspan). * soft boots (restarts within OS) are also fast and no slow down there. * cold boot is also fast. Where remaining issues are: * long load time of Disk Management (and long initial load of Samsung Magician, most likely tied to this issue) * long full shut down time * MalwareBytes will not auto-launch on win log-in, despite i have the setting enabled (other programs auto launch fine, like Process Explorer, Steam, MS Teams) * manually launching MWB sometimes works, other times it shows Not Responding and will not work at all My wife is happy with her new Astral build and for her use case, the build works fine. I, in the other hand, am not happy since build has issues which it should not have. Especially when compared to my new, Aurora build. And i'd rather fix the issues, than letting them be, whereby those can turn up far more severe issues in the long run. Moreover, i haven't fully set up her PC software wise and i have still some programs to be installed (like Corsair iCUE, 7-Zip, VLC media player, NZXT CAM, Soundswitch, PowerPanel Personal Edition, Winaero Tweaker and the like). And that's it. Would like TH forums community help regarding the issues the build has. -- Thanks in advance, Aeacus
If you use a multimeter to test the webcam for short circuits...
If it caused the chipset to shock, it might clarify why it struggles to recognize connected devices now. Long scan times suggest certain chips aren't processing correctly and keep trying after timeouts.
Alternatively, there could still be a faulty connection or component.
Edit: Avoid adding new items to that setup until you resolve the problem.
It seems like this setup lacks both a drive and the necessary expertise to operate it. Opening up This PC instantly displays all connected drives, allowing easy access and navigation. If the problem stems from chipset damage, loading and showing drives would take an excessive amount of time in File Explorer. However, this isn't the situation here.
The hardware connected to the PC is limited:
- CPU-MoBo-RAM combo
- CPU cooler
- GPU
- 9100 Pro, 980, 870 Evo
- ODD
- PSU
Device-wise configuration:
Back I/O: KB, mice, Corsair ST100, 3.5mm jack speakers, Ethernet cable
Front I/O: ID card reader, Corsair Void Elite Wireless wifi/bluetooth dongle (removing them doesn't affect the situation)
Internal: NZXT HUE+, 9in1 card reader, front I/O USB ports
Fan setup:
2x on CPU cooler + bottom intake fan and rear exhaust fan
Additional fans are managed by the fan controller (NZXT Sentry 3), which operates independently of MoBo.
If it were my situation, I would take things slowly. The system is working but it lags during startup and shutdown. I’d go easy and proceed with caution.
First, I’d verify that all data was saved and create a snapshot of the drive using a system disc to restore it. Personally, I find paid third-party imaging tools most effective, though I’ve used Windows 11’s built-in Backup and Restore when such software wasn’t accessible.
Once confirmed, I’d capture an image of the drive and use a disk to restore the backup; then I’d check if the motherboard drivers for the AsRock X870E Nova Wifi were properly installed or if I was relying on Windows 11 drivers instead.
Based on my experience, installing the correct motherboard drivers for a new build that uses Windows 11 drivers should fix the slow performance. However, this must be done thoughtfully and carefully. The right drivers for your specific board need to be applied accurately. Seeking technical help from manufacturers can be challenging but possible. For AsRock support in the U.S., you can call +1-909-590-8308 or use their contact form online. Patience is key since accuracy is essential.
Well, I resolved the slow power-up problem. The remaining concerns are a delayed shutdown and sluggish Disk Management. There isn’t much to back up because the build uses a fresh Windows 11 installation, which I installed about a week ago. My personal data remains secure on the 980 1TB and 870 Evo 2TB drives I transferred from the previous version. After fixing these issues, I intend to back up the current OS drive. In the meantime, backing up the broken OS doesn’t seem necessary.
I used the AsRock Auto Driver Installer (included in BIOS) to set up the chipset and other drivers. It connected automatically to servers, downloaded and installed the latest drivers, and keeps track of core driver updates, offering to install updates such as Realtek drivers. Drivers that the AsRock tool didn’t handle were downloaded and installed manually.
Please note I have two nearly identical AM5 builds, and for both I followed the same driver installation process. The problem only occurred with one build, not both, which suggests it might be an installation-specific issue rather than a general error in my method.
Since I’m not in the US, the phone number isn’t helpful. Regarding MoBo, I don’t think it’s the cause, as POST works correctly and everything else seems fine except for a few issues within the OS.
Understood. I value the response. If the problem isn't related to the motherboard drivers, I would then utilize the system configuration app in Windows 11 to perform a diagnostic startup. I would thoroughly examine the details, including selecting “Device performance & health” from the available options, which provides an overview of the computer's condition and highlights any hardware or software concerns that may impact speed.
Just reviewed and the health report indicates no problems. Instead, it confirms that "windows time service", "storage capacity", and "apps and software" all have "No issues".
Looking at the Reliability History, there are some entries but nothing obvious.
Spoiler: Screenshots (click here to view)
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
"Mysterium.exe" is a Steam game Mysterium.
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
"wbengine.exe" is Win System Restore, which didn’t work for me.
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
"procexp64.exe" is Sysinternals Process Explorer.
Edit: For both builds and after switching to local accounts, I turned off BitLocker, which was enabled by default. It took some time to decrypt the drives, but afterward both systems ran faster/smaller (BitLocker can slow SSDs up to 45%).
I see some failed windows updates. Do you have enough free space on the Win 11 primary hard drive?
This is also a good time to check your Windows 11 partitions on the primary drive using disk management (be careful always, just read the information).
"Understanding Partitions on the Primary Drive in Windows 11
When you install Windows 11, your primary drive typically contains several partitions. Here are the most common ones:
Partition Name
Size
Type
Purpose
System Reserved
100 MB
Primary NTFS
Helps with boot management and recovery
C Partition
Varies
Primary NTFS
Main operating system partition
Recovery Partition
Varies
Primary NTFS
Contains recovery tools and system restore options
EFI System Partition
100 MB
FAT32
Required for booting UEFI-based systems
-AI"
Also, how much unallocated space do you have at the end of the Win11 primary drive?
96% free.
OS drive is 2TB.
None.
Installation of Win11 consumed all the unallocated space on the Samsung 9100 Pro 2TB, forming three partitions:
* 100 MB (EFI partition)
* 1862.18 GB (C:/ partition)
* 738 MB (Recovery partition)