Dream Machine

[PMS Witch]

You could check what your system's doing with Resource Monitor.

Press Ctrl-Shift-Esc
Select Performance Tab
Click Resource Monitor button

Expand the Disk window and check Read (B/sec) and Write (B/sec) for reasonable values. My guess: 40,000,000 to 60,000,000 would be OK. Take a peek at response time too. This value should be 2 digits, or even better, single digit. This won't tell you if your disk is delivering good data, but it will tell you it's working as quickly as it should.

You could check your disk manufacturer's speed claims to set your expectations. You can find your disk information using System Information (I think it's under Start Menu, Accessories, System Tools.)

You may find something among the SMART (Self Monitor Analysis Report Technology) values. Windows doesn't include a way of examining SMART information, but several small programs can be downloaded.

HDDScan Free
HD Tune Pay

The commands to access tools directly with RUN or a Command Prompt window. . .
msinfo32.exe
perfmon.exe /res

Of course, this message deals with only the disk. Could dropping your computer have damaged other components? I don't know, and I'm reluctant to drop my system to uncover the answer.

Cheers, PW.

P.S. To eliminate software as a source of your problem, download a few of the many utilities that run from bootable media. If these run at full speed, you know your hardware's OK. This test, although not perfect, has one advantage: you won't be altering your Windows system.

P.P.S. Note: PerfMon comes in two flavours PerfMon.EXE and PerfMon.MSC which seem similar. They take different parameters.