Off topic: Broken computers

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 17 Nov 2005, 06:44

I was just wondering whether I could blatently exploit the talents of anyone who works with or has an intimate knowledge of computers.

For a few weeks now my computer (a Compaq presario, bought in January) has been 'playing up.'

A lot of the time it, what I suppose you'd call, 'crashes,' comes up with a blue screen saying basically it can't be arsed. There's also most of the time when it happens a mechanical clunking or clicking sound that comes from the computer itself.

The biggest problem is I don't really know what's causing it - it can happen with or without Broadband connected, it can happen if it's been working fine but crashes when you're not even using it, or it can not even make it to starting up properly even after it was turned off normally the last time I used it. But other times, like now, it works like a dream and lulls you into a false sense of security.

I've taken off some expendable programs (the blue screen said to remove any new programs which may be the cause, although I don't see anything obvious that's caused it.) It might be that I've got no security (I had a Norton security thing which expired.)

I honestly have no clue about computers as with all things. However, the last thing I want to do is spend days on the phone to PC world/Wannadoo/Compaq telling some disinterested git that no I don't know whether my flux capacitor has transmogrified within the last 6.5 nanoseconds.

So, if anyone has any free suggestions or advice, much appreciated. (even if you don't have a clue, give it a bash, you can't do much worse than me)

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 17 Nov 2005, 07:47

I'd get the computer scanned by some ad-ware and spyware programs.

another good free clean up program is crapcleaner.

http://www.ccleaner.com

I also had Norton on my comp, got rid of it as i found it slowed it right down, and caused alot of crashes. If you go to http://www.download.com you can find some free firewalls to use instead of Norton.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 17 Nov 2005, 08:41

The 'clunking' and 'clicking' noises could indicate a hard disc problem to me, most likely the heads sticking.

If you only got it in January then it should be under warranty, in fact if it's a 12 months warranty then you don't have long to act on this.

I would also make sure you back-up everything important on your PC to CD's or an external USB drive because when your hard disc finally does go poof! you'll lose the lot.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 17 Nov 2005, 10:14

Have you got it under garentee still?... if so I'd contact the people you brought the computer from. From what you say you haven't got a security device like Norton on your system, this really is a dire mistake I'm afraid. There are so many hackers and viruses out there and basically if you are going onto the net without any seciruty then you are wide open for any form of nastyness to get into your system.
If I was you I would buy a Norton security pack which should be about £40... install it onto your computer and then run the virus check. With luck the Norton will be able to clear up your problem.
If this doesn't work then the next best thing would be to totally erase what is on your computer (after backing everything up onto disk first though! which you should do straight away I think anyway in case your system gives up the ghost competely!!!!

) and start the whole thing off again from scratch, just like when you first started the computer.
One trick to try if you have the Norton disk from before is uninstall what you have left of the norton security on your computer then run the 'old' disc again and with luck you will get it reinstalled for another year without even buying a new disck!. I have done this myself and it saves £40 and a run to the computer shop.
It sounds like you have a virus which is affecting your harddrive... but the Norton may well do the trick in getting rid of it.
In future never venture on the net without security... even if you don't go onto the net you need security to protect against stuff that may be on software and games you use... its a must have really! good luck!...

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 17 Nov 2005, 10:51

silkov wrote:Have you got it under garentee still?... if so I'd contact the people you brought the computer from. From what you say you haven't got a security device like Norton on your system, this really is a dire mistake I'm afraid. There are so many hackers and viruses out there and basically if you are going onto the net without any seciruty then you are wide open for any form of nastyness to get into your system.
If I was you I would buy a Norton security pack which should be about £40... install it onto your computer and then run the virus check. With luck the Norton will be able to clear up your problem.
If this doesn't work then the next best thing would be to totally erase what is on your computer (after backing everything up onto disk first though! which you should do straight away I think anyway in case your system gives up the ghost competely!!!! ) and start the whole thing off again from scratch, just like when you first started the computer.
One trick to try if you have the Norton disk from before is uninstall what you have left of the norton security on your computer then run the 'old' disc again and with luck you will get it reinstalled for another year without even buying a new disck!. I have done this myself and it saves £40 and a run to the computer shop.
It sounds like you have a virus which is affecting your harddrive... but the Norton may well do the trick in getting rid of it.
In future never venture on the net without security... even if you don't go onto the net you need security to protect against stuff that may be on software and games you use... its a must have really! good luck!...

Good advice Silkov, but i've found that Norton really slowed my comp up, maybe yours runs ok. I changed recently and am now using ZoneAlarm, this makes my computer run alot more smoothly.

Tantum · Post by **Tantum** » 17 Nov 2005, 11:27

It's your hard drive... And it will permanently fail soon.

Do not bother with virus scanning, it is not a virus, it's a mechanical or electrical problem within the hard drive.

The hard drive should still be under warranty... But if you wish to save any information, burn it to CD's, or buy a new hard drive and transfer it.

bugs · Post by **bugs** » 17 Nov 2005, 11:53

Tantum wrote:It's your hard drive... And it will permanently fail soon.

Do not bother with virus scanning, it is not a virus, it's a mechanical or electrical problem within the hard drive.

The hard drive should still be under warranty... But if you wish to save any information, burn it to CD's, or buy a new hard drive and transfer it.

I agree with that, you may also want to listen to the phoenix beeps ( the beeps during start up) and count them, then look up on the net what that number means, it may be a motherboard issue connecting to the harddrive.
http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardware ... ials/13/3/
But definately back up what you want to save and take it ot the shop, or ditch it and buy a new hard drive they are much cheaper for more than they used to be.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 17 Nov 2005, 12:09

Tantum wrote:It's your hard drive... And it will permanently fail soon.

Do not bother with virus scanning, it is not a virus, it's a mechanical or electrical problem within the hard drive.

The hard drive should still be under warranty... But if you wish to save any information, burn it to CD's, or buy a new hard drive and transfer it.

But a virus can get into the harddrive can't it?.... if the computer is pretty new then he shouldn't be having trouble with the harddrive really.
Also the scanning will be useful as any virus may have tainted the software in the computer so if he saves everything, fixes the computer and puts everything back on without running a virus scan he could end up with the same problem again, if you know what I mean.

Tantum · Post by **Tantum** » 17 Nov 2005, 12:28

Typical viruses affect software, they do not cause mechanical issues... Which is what he is having.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 17 Nov 2005, 12:35

I once read about a virus that could turn your monitor on to such a fast refresh rate that it would overheat then blow up! Probably myth but funny all the same.

Hard Discs go wrong all the time, new/old doesn't matter, they are also the most common failing part of a PC/Server.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 17 Nov 2005, 12:37

Tantum wrote:Typical viruses affect software, they do not cause mechanical issues... Which is what he is having.

But they can affect the hard disk as well as far as I know... it depends on the virus. Also if he has no security there is the chance that he has more than one virus on his system. Certainly a virus can make a computer behave the way his is....

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 17 Nov 2005, 12:41

Goz wrote:I once read about a virus that could turn your monitor on to such a fast refresh rate that it would overheat then blow up! Probably myth but funny all the same.

Hard Discs go wrong all the time, new/old doesn't matter, they are also the most common failing part of a PC/Server.

Its true, you can get viruses where someone else can actually get the ability to switch your computer on and off themselves and can operate it through their own computer. Theres all sorts of nasty stuff around and if you haven't got protection you're going to get bitten.
Bit like sex really!...

8)

Tantum · Post by **Tantum** » 17 Nov 2005, 12:41

A virus can disrupt system volume information and basically force you to reformat your hard drive...

That is not the same as causing your hard drive to mechanically fail. Which is what the clicking noise is.

MTG · Post by **MTG** » 17 Nov 2005, 15:47

I HAVE THE SAME COMPUTER AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
IT WAS MY FAN THAT HAD BURNT OUT AND DAMAGED(FRIED) MY MOTHER BOARD.
SUPPOSEDLY A COMMON FAULT WITH THEM.

M.T GILLICK

Tantum · Post by **Tantum** » 17 Nov 2005, 15:51

A dead cpu fan does not make the clicking noise that a dying hard drive does.

Dead CPU fans are very common, and are generally caused by the bearings getting clogged up with dust, the cheaper the bearings, the easier they are to clog(usually)... Best way to diagnose a thermal issue is to go to the BIOS, and go under the PC Health/Status category. It will tell you the temperature of the CPU, and the System in general. If the CPU is running over 50C, time to start thinking about getting a new heatsink. Over 70C and you know it's time shut the computer off, and go buy a new fan, immediately.

MTG · Post by **MTG** » 17 Nov 2005, 15:55

IM NOT A TECH,JUST PUTTING MY EXPERIENCE OVER.

Owain · Post by **Owain** » 17 Nov 2005, 19:53

Jomo, My advice would be NOT to buy ANY programs, you can get all the protection that you need for FREE.

All the following programs are FREE and are not time limited. I have been using them for years and all work great.

SpyBot Search and Destroy - http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Avast anti-virus- http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html (if you go to the HOME page of this site it can run a virus check for you)

ZoneAlarm Firewall - http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/c ... GB&lang=en

Ad-Aware Spyware removal - http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045 ... tag=button

It is absolutely essential to have an anti-virus program, firewall and spyware program on your PC nowadays - update them regularly (preferably daily - a schedule can be set up easily whereby the programs do it automatically) and scan your PC, at least, weekly. That is after you have fixed your hard drive

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 18 Nov 2005, 05:49

This is almost certainly a problem caused by a virus, but at this stage, anti-virus software is NOT going to save you.

I got a viral infection last year and exactly the same thing happened. The hard disk had volume errors, and it kept scanning the disk trying to find information making grinding and clicking noises,.

You need to get a new hard drive immediately, before your other hard drive fails completely, because if that happens you will need to pay a lot of money to get the data off it.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 18 Nov 2005, 05:50

The free anti virus software is excellent, it's better than the likes of Norton, which are slow, obtrusive, and in my experience porous in any case.

boxingchat · Post by **boxingchat** » 18 Nov 2005, 11:54

I'll sell you a new one if you want. Contact me before you blow up!

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 19 Nov 2005, 04:25

Gents, you are legends. The knowledge and advice you have proffered is much appreciated and would whip Henry Kissenger's anyday.

I do make a habit of backing up most stuff (Pentagon defence procedures, the Salmond Rushdie autobiography I'm ghost writing, Minesweeper highscores etc.) But I've backed up the whole lot now. I suppose there's no other way but to phone the company. I still have the warrenty, so the Americans can bally well fix it.

Anyway, thanks again