It seems like you were experiencing performance issues on your Windows system, particularly relating to slow responsiveness and high HDD usage. Your computer specifications are indeed on the lower end by today's standards, which might explain some of the sluggish behavior you were observing.
Here are a few reasons why your HDD LED might have been blinking frequently and causing slow performance:
1. High Resource Usage: Older hardware with limited RAM and a slower CPU can struggle to keep up with modern operating systems and applications, leading to high disk usage as the system compensates for the lack of memory.
2. Background Processes: Windows operating systems tend to run several background processes that can keep the hard drive busy even when the system is idle. This can cause the HDD LED to blink frequently and impact overall performance.
3. Outdated Drivers: In some cases, outdated drivers for hardware components can lead to inefficient performance and increased disk activity as the system tries to manage hardware with inadequate drivers.
It's great to hear that updating to Windows 7 build 7077 has improved the performance and reduced the strain on your HDD. Windows 7 was known for being a more efficient and optimized operating system compared to its predecessor, Windows Vista.
If you continue to experience issues or if you have any specific questions or concerns about your system's performance, feel free to ask for further assistance!