advice on computer

[Plainsman]

Re: advice on computer

When you are doing a virus/spyware sweep, your hard drive will work harder as it is checking evry file on it. The light on the front will go like crazy, this is OK.

But if it is making noises, I'd backup important file to CD or other removable media (floppy or thumb drive)

 

[Drrockter]

Re: advice on computer

and I have no side cover to disperse heat.

Even though this seems like a good practice, it doesn't let the air circulate as the computer was designed to, to remove heat. It also allows dust to settle on the components, which causes heat to build up on them and cause them to fail.

I only do it during the summer. I blow a small fan on it, and clean every week. My CPU comes down a few degrees. I'm just too lazy to get another fan until I start working on my new build. d

 

[rwise]

Re: advice on computer

just a bunch of clicking at times

sounds like the hard drive is failing, may be time for a new one back up anything you want to keep now!

 

[briannh1234]

Re: advice on computer

When a hard drive is actually in use, a clicking sound is OK. If when the computer locks up you hear clicking and a snap type sound - that is a hard drive failure.

Backing up is allways a good idea. Most hard drives give no warning before they fail.

- Brian

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: advice on computer

Are you a Comcast user? If so, uninstall the relatively new Comcast toolbar. We had a similar problem and solved it after visiting a comcast user site and reading about others with the same problem - who advised to remove the toolbar. We did and the problem was solved.

 

[dude_newbie]

Re: advice on computer

Hardware is unlikely... You will have your small issues with dust and fans but more likely the problem is windows or as I call it windoze.. Windows have **** poor virtual memory swapping. Lack of memory will definitely do it.. I suggest that if you are running XP then make sure you have 512MB of ram..

As others have suggested it is more likely a software issue but that is because windows does not know how to handle its virtual memory.

 

[all thumbs]

Re: advice on computer

Not a comcast user, wish it was that simpled And thanks for all the heads up on the save file stuff.I do have alot of pictures I would hate to loose.So if I have this right, what is hapening is these are the possible signs telling me it might have hard drive failure. Next question would be if and when that happens, does that usualy mean toss it and get another? Or is it worth repair?

 

[Plainsman]

Re: advice on computer

Depends, you can get a new hard drive for less than $100, but if it's 5 years old, I'd toss it and get a new one if you can afford to do so. Less headaches.

 

[PierBridge]

Re: advice on computer

WOW......

 

[SuperGlue]

Re: advice on computer

ALWAYS store your digital pics to a CD or something other than *just* your harddrive. If your HD fails, pictures = gone. I always burn and verify a CD before I clear my memory cards for the camera.

We need to define "clicking". To a lay person, a harddrive "clicks" during activity(like opening programs). If the pc is under a desk, you may not hear it, but if you put your ear up to it, it makes noise when there is activity. Now, if it makes other sounds that do not seem to match the harddrive activity light, it may be going bad.

Back-up anything that you do not want to lose whether your HD is ten days old or 10 years old. I've seen people lose very important and cherishable data due to not having a back-up.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: advice on computer

All Thumbs, you wouldn't be near Tri State University would ya??
(Angola)

 

[all thumbs]

Re: advice on computer

Xcusme, no I'am not. Had to do a search to find Angola. I am half way between Milwaukee and Chicago. I got a kick out of the university explaining why they changed their nicknamed.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: advice on computer

here are my two cents

1st run a scan from trend, mcafee, norton ALL of them you can do it online.

Run a spyware scan from 3 vendors

Each one finds ones that the other wont

2nd right click on the windows bar and look at your task manager a lot or little running. spend some time and do searches on what is running to make sure it should be

3rd do a chkdsk to make sure your drive is ok

4th how many items are in the tray? fewer is better.

good luck

 

[Drrockter]

Re: advice on computer

Xcusme, no I'am not. Had to do a search to find Angola. I am half way between Milwaukee and Chicago. I got a kick out of the university explaining why they changed their nicknamed.

Sounds like you near me then. Eagle, WI.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: advice on computer

Xcusme, no I'am not. Had to do a search to find Angola. I am half way between Milwaukee and Chicago. I got a kick out of the university explaining why they changed their nicknamed.

I'm on the Southwest side if Chicago.....

 

[all thumbs]

Re: advice on computer

Thanks tomatolord, I'll print your instructions as well as everybody else here and get help from my sister who is more adapt at this type of stuff. It hasn't froze up since the dusting, and I now have my pictures backed up. ..Xcusme & Drrockter, your both close enough we probably used the same water at times.d I work a part time job outside of Darien .

 

[Drrockter]

Re: advice on computer

Hopefully, not at the strip club. :$