[Pokitaru]

I purchased a computer about 3 years ago which uses Windows Vista Basic and after a couple months of general use there would be a clicking/crunching sound on startup coming from the tower. The computer would then every now and then freeze with no other way of unfreezing it other than turning it off at the plug. This process would then repeat itself until eventually on reboot the system would display that the harddrive is not recognised. I contacted the people I purchased the computer from and they sent a replacement harddrive. The same happened again a further 3 times. Unfortunately me being an idiot and lazy I never pursued it and the warranty ran out. I am now wondering what to do with the computer, whether there is a fix for it such as a new PSU or a way to sell the unit to get some money back?

 

[makinu1der2]

Post the make/model of the PC.

Post the voltage readings from the BIOS.

 

[Pokitaru]

The specs are:
Manufacturer: BIOSTAR Group
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Memory: 3326MB RAM
Hard Drive: 500 GB
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 2400 Series
Monitor: HANNspree XM-S
Sound Card: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Keyboard: Saitek GK200
Mouse: USB Root Hub
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Basic (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)

On startup I only have access to one screen which displays the voltages, and a message saying verifying DMI Pool data........
Boot from CD:
Disk Boot failure, insert system disk and press enter. I have put vista in there before and when it goes to install vista on a hard drive it cannot be found.

The voltages are as follows:
CPU Vcore: 1.28v
+3.3v : 3.21v
+12.0v :11.77v
VTT voltage : 1.23v
Voltage Bat : 3.05v
CPU Fan 1700 RPM
NS/SB Voltage: 1.37v
+5.0v : 4.38v
VDIMM : 1.85v
5V(SB) : 4.70v
CPU Temp 18 degrees C
System Fan : 0 RPM

 

[makinu1der2]

Is the hard drive detected/recognized in the BIOS?

When replacing the hard drive did you also replace the data cable?

If you have replaced that many hard drives in a short period of time then you may

have another underlying problem (such as a bad/failing PSU)

 

[raptor_pa]

What is the brand and rating of the power supply?

 

[Pokitaru]

There were no data cables provided with the replacement harddrives.
I dont know the brand of the PSU only that its 450W

 

[JimE]

Cables aren't provided with replacement drives. They are only provided with new HDD's, if you purchase a retail box. You can get replacement cables.

If that many drives have failed, the most likely cause is a faulty power supply or extreme heat. But heat issues would likely have been apparent with other issues.