Odd Sounds...

ImNeat · 03-06-2005, 11:59 AM

The last few weeks my computer has been making a strange sound every 10 seconds or so. It sounds almost as if the hard drive is getting hit even when my computer is basically idling. I've turned off all programs and I checked my running processes, nothing seems out of whack. I've never really had a hardware problem so I'm not too sure how to troubleshoot. The computer is around 6 months old. If anyone has any opinions I'm open to suggestions. Thanks in advance.

**Sarkast** · 03-06-2005, 12:05 PM

One suggestion first: Whenever your harddrive makes any kind of weird noises - back up any data thats important to you. If you dont do it now you might never have the chance to get it back.

Which brings me to another thing. Whenever harddrives start making weird noises theres usually something really wrong with them. It probably wont last much longer. If it fails and your PC is only 6 months old then you can probably get it replaced under warranty.

EDIT: I forgot to mention something. Check out what harddrive you have and look at the manufacturers homepage if they have a diagnostic tool available. That might help you determine what the problem could be. (backup first though)

ImNeat · 03-06-2005, 03:25 PM

This is probably a dumb question - but how do I figure out what brand/type of hard drive I have? I checked device manager, but it doesn't list manufacturers for nearly any of my peripherals. I have a Dell computer, would I need to call them to find out?
*EDIT: Also, I have nearly 30 gigs of storage. I have tons of full CDs, movies, games etc on my harddrive. What would be the best way to back all of this up? I'm ashamed to say I've never backed up files.

**Sarkast** · 03-06-2005, 03:36 PM

You could run Everest home:

http://www.lavalys.com/products/down...?pid=1&lang=en

Or tell me what DELL model it is so i can look it up on their website.

How to make a backup depends on what you have - CD Burner ? DVD Burner ?

ImNeat · 03-21-2005, 01:16 PM

I have both. Am I going to need to buy some software?

03-06-2005, 11:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
ImNeat Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 23 OS: WinXP	Odd Sounds... The last few weeks my computer has been making a strange sound every 10 seconds or so. It sounds almost as if the hard drive is getting hit even when my computer is basically idling. I've turned off all programs and I checked my running processes, nothing seems out of whack. I've never really had a hardware problem so I'm not too sure how to troubleshoot. The computer is around 6 months old. If anyone has any opinions I'm open to suggestions. Thanks in advance.

03-06-2005, 12:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sarkast TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY Posts: 2,715 OS: WinXP	One suggestion first: Whenever your harddrive makes any kind of weird noises - back up any data thats important to you. If you dont do it now you might never have the chance to get it back. Which brings me to another thing. Whenever harddrives start making weird noises theres usually something really wrong with them. It probably wont last much longer. If it fails and your PC is only 6 months old then you can probably get it replaced under warranty. EDIT: I forgot to mention something. Check out what harddrive you have and look at the manufacturers homepage if they have a diagnostic tool available. That might help you determine what the problem could be. (backup first though) __________________ P4 2.4@2.9 / XP-90 / Albatron PX865PE Pro V2.0 / Kingston Hyper-X 512MB Dual Channel CL2-2-2-5 / Geforce4 MX440x8 64MB / WD80GB 7200RPM 8MB / Thermaltake 420W PSU --> SEE IT ALL GLOW <-- MBM5 - SpeedFan - PSU Calculator - MemTest86 - ThrottleWatch Last edited by Sarkast; 03-06-2005 at 12:06 PM.

03-06-2005, 03:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
ImNeat Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 23 OS: WinXP	This is probably a dumb question - but how do I figure out what brand/type of hard drive I have? I checked device manager, but it doesn't list manufacturers for nearly any of my peripherals. I have a Dell computer, would I need to call them to find out? EDIT: Also, I have nearly 30 gigs of storage. I have tons of full CDs, movies, games etc on my harddrive. What would be the best way to back all of this up? I'm ashamed to say I've never backed up files. Last edited by ImNeat; 03-06-2005 at 03:27 PM.*

03-06-2005, 03:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sarkast TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY Posts: 2,715 OS: WinXP	You could run Everest home: http://www.lavalys.com/products/down...?pid=1&lang=en Or tell me what DELL model it is so i can look it up on their website. How to make a backup depends on what you have - CD Burner ? DVD Burner ? __________________ P4 2.4@2.9 / XP-90 / Albatron PX865PE Pro V2.0 / Kingston Hyper-X 512MB Dual Channel CL2-2-2-5 / Geforce4 MX440x8 64MB / WD80GB 7200RPM 8MB / Thermaltake 420W PSU --> SEE IT ALL GLOW <-- MBM5 - SpeedFan - PSU Calculator - MemTest86 - ThrottleWatch

03-21-2005, 01:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
ImNeat Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 23 OS: WinXP	I have both. Am I going to need to buy some software?