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Noisy Hard Drive
chocsessential
Posts: 985 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
My computer is running on Vista and recently it's been making a loud whirring noise when I turn it on. It's almost like a grinding noise, it goes ZZZZZZZZZZZ when I turn it on. I've deleted lots of old documents, programs and music files I no longer need but it's still doing it. Is my computer going to pack up? Thanks.
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Comments
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Is the noise continuous, sounds like it might be a fan, have you removed any accumulations of dust recently.
If you suspect the disk then its time to back up all your work.That gum you like is coming back in style.0 -
Could be dust; I'll have a look. I'd better start backing up too. Thanks.0
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To answer your question, yes, at some point your computer will pack up!
But, in your case it MAY not be that serious. The noise you describe may well be one (or more) of your fans. This may be down to dirt or just old age, they do not last forever.
IF, and only IF, you feel confident shut the PC down and switch off at the wall,open up the computer (more difficult if its a laptop you are talking about) and locate the fan(s), there should be at least one on the main board and probably one in the power supply. you will probably find they are coated with a thick layer of dust. this can be removed with a gentle brushing, makeup brushes are ideal for this, and then blow the residue away. when done put the pc back together and try it again. If its quiet job done, if not nothing lost.At times any combination of my spelling, grammar or punctuation may be incorrect. Please do not pick me up for this as, after all, it is only an internet forum.0 -
Fan & cables touching first
Fan and dust build up under the edge of the blades or grills next
99% general [ or lack of ] housekeeping. Don't delete any more of your stuff it's unlikely to be HDD related.
As penrhyn says it's cleaning time!
A HDD going down almost always develops a very noticeable tick tick tick ticking sound as the heads cant find the first sectors on the platter.Disclaimer : Everything I write on this forum is my opinion. I try to be an even-handed poster and accept that you at times may not agree with these opinions or how I choose to express them, this is not my problem. The Disabled : If years cannot be added to their lives, at least life can be added to their years - Alf Morris - ℜ0 -
I agree with the posters above, in that the noise you hear is likely to be coming from somewhere other than your hard drive. However, testing the drive is a fairly easy thing to do.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/tophddiag.htmTry saying "I have under-a-pound in my wallet" and listen to people react!0
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