struggling

So, I have a struggling hive with a virgin queen in it, and she's has emerged at least 17 days ago, probably even a little more than 17. How often is too often to check and see if she started laying? Also, she is the last chance I have at a queen, as the other hive is queenless and in this...

(To save time in explaining, just assume I'm making the right decision, and I need to requeen...hive is 13 months in my presence and has struggled the entire time)... SO, I've never re-queened, but I'm debating on ordering one now. Good friend tells me to just remove the existing queen, take...