Is my PC on it's deathbed?

minimeeze

minimeeze

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Hi all :)

After a long battle with nasty viruses (which I won.... I think!), I've come to the conclusion that my pc is terminally ill :(

Since sorting out the virus problem I had, I get about 4 error messages on startup, but my PC seemed to function ok regardless and has done so for the past month or so. However, it now keeps freezing up on me (usually in the middle of a long email :annoyed:) and twice in the past few days when this has happened, the tower starts beeping and I'm worried that it's gonna self destruct :lol:

I've just discovered that my DVD and CD drives seem to have given up the ghost too :(

Do you think it's time to ditch it? The PC itself is 4 years old. I was gonna take it with me on my move to Canada but now I'm wondering whether I should just copy the important files and buy a new PC when I get there? Time to get everything backed up methinks before it dies altogether :eek:

:help: All opinions / suggestions welcomed!
 
i would back it all up anyway, then perhaps try a reinstall using the discs that came with the comp. 4 years isnt that old.

if you have the money a new computer will work faster and be better though
 
Hi minimeeze.

Maybe back up all your important stuff/files/pictures and what not......And do a fresh install.

Reformat and then fresh install.

Del.
 
As the machine seems terminal you have little to lose. I suspect your virus war may have produced some collateral damage. I'd be inclined to back up all then important stuff, the reformat the drive, and reinstal. I would also get the saved data checked for viruses before you reinstal. remember that you've also got 4 years worth of updates as well to load. That may not be as bad as it seems as most software will seek out the latest update that's applicable and load it.

If all else fails buy a new one in Canada.
 
Thanks guys.... looks like I'm in for a busy weekend then!

So, next question - any recommendations as to which portable HDD to use? What size do I need? (sorry, I know nothing about the actual workings of PC's). Looking at £100 or under - the cheaper the better at the mo as long as it does the job!)
 
prob bout the same size as your hard drive will do. the 250gb seem quite cheap at the mo.
 
Try and work out the size of your data files. You may find that they're quite small. You certainly don't want to copy the entire hard drive - especially as there may still be some virus/trojan issues on-board.

As to the current machine, those beeps you hear could be important. Does it beep at startup and if so, how many beeps and what make of motherboard is it?
 
I know this might sound a little daft but it has been known to happen, and that is to think about "reseating" all the connections on the motherboard. I'm referring to the RAM modules and the IDE sockets that connects the hard drive and CD drives to the motherboard.
It's where the variable temperature and humidity within the PC case can cause those connections to "wriggle" out in time.
So, if you're feeling brave, carefully pull out them connections and RAM and gently put them back in the exact same place making sure they are firmly seated.
While you've got the case open, you might want to think about blowing away the dust build-up over the processor fan/heat sink. Poor heat transfer caused by compacted dust can cause the CPU to overheat prematurely and then the PC crashes or freezes up.
It might not make any difference and you might feel nervous about cracking open your PC but it might be worth doing it anyway, think of it as a personal MOT on your PC.

Naturally, back up and then back up your data before doing all that, of course!
 
I have one of these here

All you need is a computer engineer to give your system a looking at
 
Thanks for all your suggestions :) I've decided that a 160gb portable hard drive is big enough for what I need so I'm going shopping later :woot:

The beeps I hear are only when the PC decides to freeze up, not at startup, and I can only liken it to the engaged tone you get on a telephone :shrug: The only way to stop it is to shut down which I can do ok. As for the make of motherboard.... :shrug: (told you I know nothing :lol:).

After I've backed up what I need, I'll have a fiddle about and a clean and see what damage I can do :lol: I always have my laptop if it all goes tits up :D
 
Try running it with the side panel off. If it works OK then it may have been overheating due to accumulated fluff as Ian said above.

Will the voltage be OK if you were to take it to Canada? Think I'd buy new out there.
 
purpleclouds said:
Seagate 250GB external harddisk for £36 :)
Click to expand...


Too late.... I've bought a portable 160gb HDD (more than enough storage for what I need). I've backed up all the important stuff I need which was very simple and straightforward. I (read my other half) think we're gonna make do with the PC for the few weeks we have left, then buy new when we get out to Canada rather than run the expense of shipping it.
 
minimeeze said:
Too late.... I've bought a portable 160gb HDD (more than enough storage for what I need). I've backed up all the important stuff I need which was very simple and straightforward. I (read my other half) think we're gonna make do with the PC for the few weeks we have left, then buy new when we get out to Canada rather than run the expense of shipping it.
Click to expand...

Ah not to worry!! Someone might find it useful :)

Probably the best bet!!!
 
minimeeze said:
Too late.... I've bought a portable 160gb HDD (more than enough storage for what I need). I've backed up all the important stuff I need which was very simple and straightforward. I (read my other half) think we're gonna make do with the PC for the few weeks we have left, then buy new when we get out to Canada rather than run the expense of shipping it.
Click to expand...

That was my take when I read your original post, I presume you will be going to a new life in Canada, I'd leave as much 'rubbish/clutter' behind that I could instead of paying to ship it. Having moved homes many times including Norway and California and back, and still lugging old 'rubbish/clutter' around, I'd make as clean a break as I could get away with...clutching my new backup external drive of course. :)
 
minimeeze said:
Too late.... I've bought a portable 160gb HDD (more than enough storage for what I need). I've backed up all the important stuff I need which was very simple and straightforward. I (read my other half) think we're gonna make do with the PC for the few weeks we have left, then buy new when we get out to Canada rather than run the expense of shipping it.
Click to expand...

Sound move. It is only your data which you need to keep for your new machine and not settings.

I would suggest that before you copy any data from this external hard drive to the new pc you run thorough virus/adware/malware/spyware scans to ensure nothing undesirable is introduced to the new pc.
 
erding said:
Sound move. It is only your data which you need to keep for your new machine and not settings.

I would suggest that before you copy any data from this external hard drive to the new pc you run thorough virus/adware/malware/spyware scans to ensure nothing undesirable is introduced to the new pc.
Click to expand...

Have done :) thanks!
 
Get a mac ;) no viruses at all!
 
I picked up a 500Gb Maxtor external Hdd the other week for 49.99

matty paid a tenner more for the same one iirc because he's french :D
 
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