Windows on the fritz

I got a new HDD recently (my old one died on me), so I had to install Windows on it. Now, for some reason, Windows is going rediciulously slow. The new HDD is faster than the other one I got, a 7200rpm instead of a 5400rpm. I think maybe it's the version of windows I installed since I used a Dell reinstall disk instead of a brand new copy, but the computer is a Dell too, so I'm not sure. Any advice would be appreciated.

Here are a few benchmarks of how slow it's going:
it took me 2 days to install windows
when it said 30 minutes left to install it actually took hours and hours
it takes minutes to load up the background and taskbar when starting windows

I would say Dell is your problem. Don't buy anything from them again.

Yeah, I don't plan too, but I've had the computer for a while now with no major issues,and I'd atleast like it to work until I get a new computer. I only use my computer for the internet and word processing, so when it works properly, it suits my needs.

did you put your hd and cdrom on the same ide channel?

maybe? how would I go about checking that out?

>>5
Open it up and see if the CD-ROM and HD are on the same cable.

also if you're using a 40-pin ide cable where a 80-pin one is needed i think you will experience slowdown like that.

Not sure if it's the cable since I used the one that came with the HDD. I checked, and the CD-ROM and the HDD aren't on the same cable.

Did you make sure all your drivers are installed, cant make use of hardware if windows doesnt know how to talk to it.

I have all the drivers installed except the chipset ones, this is only because my computer is so old I have no idea what the chipset is. It's still going slow though. I think I may try and reformat it then reinstall windows again.