Powering down early?

[yahoo]

I run a A7S-VM Asus motherboard with a 800mhz duron as a network workstation using WindowsXP Pro. Since yesterday it has been making odd noises after which, all hdd activity ceases and windows blue screens. The noise is familiar to me, it is the sort of pinging/clicking noise heard when the computer turns itself off after shut down, alhtough now it does about 5 clicks instead of one (i hope your still following me). It also does this when i am in the bios utility, but does not crash (does not require hdd).
So, firsty, des anybody have any idea what is oin on with my system? And secondly, does anybody know where that clicking sound comes from when you turn off a healthy system? is it power supply? motherboard? power switch?
Thanks a lot, this one really has me stumped!
Greg Case

 

[sleew]

Bua?! Sleew
Compaq & Microsoft TS
sleew@infosky.net

 

[CitrixEngineer]

I'd suspect the system is getting warm - are you overclocking the CPU, or running the PC with the case off?

I think I know the "click" sound you mean - try underclocking the CPU by a tiny amount and see if it clears. If underclocking works, then I would double suspect a heat issue.

...Or it may be a different "click" - could be that the hard disk is on the blink - can you try another disk and see if that clears it?

Last thought - could be dodgy RAM. Try swapping a stick out.

Hope this helps
CitrixEngineer@yahoo.co.uk

 

[yahoo]

what the heck does bua stand for?
im not overclocking my cpu, i dont have the money to buy a new one after i envevitably fry my original, the cpu doesnt heat up over 45oC so its not overheating. i have swapped the hdd for an old 650mb one i had lying around, this is now working fine. could it be a virus because my hard disk is saying its healthy, i cant find anything wrong with it but it is where the noise is comming from. My main consern is that i dont have enough time to do anything, even safe mode it is exaclty the same. i dont have enough time to run a virus scan or even format the disk and try a reinstall. Thanks

 

[jeremybarker]

Sounds like the heads on your hd are knocking. Don't try anything else except backing up your data. See if the hd is still in warrenty cause it's time to get a new one.

 

[FatesWebb]

YEP jeremy is right your HDD is ALMOST toast BACK UP NOW.

 

[yahoo]

i have my data backed up to my network server everytime i shut down luckily, are there any other signs that could give me a positive diagnosis that the heads on the hdd are knocking? i really wouldnt want to spend the money unless absolutly nessessary. thanks anyway, things are looking a little clearer.
Greg

 

[jeremybarker]

The only sign you need is that there is noise coming from your hd. If you have isolated the noise to that specific area, that's your problem. You could attempt to run a scandisk, but it will probably error out.

 

[CitrixEngineer]

If the noise is definitely coming from the HD, then I agree with the other diagnoses - the disk is certainly physically damaged. You proved this by swapping it for another and witnessing the noise disappearing.

Whether you have time or not, it will need replacing.

That's computers for you CitrixEngineer@yahoo.co.uk

 

[creighton3]

You may look up my last thread of my computer powers off then reboots. Question does it reboot? Does it only do it when the cpu is idol? My friends only powers off after a complete boot yet the time constraint seems very familure. I down loaded things off the desktop to keep the computer busy. Give it a try to multi task your unit. I would back up and check your ram and power it could be a bad cap in your power supply> Creight3

 

[creighton3]

Ps that thread is on general hardware about post 9 there is some great ideas on there. Ceighton3