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what to do with an ill computer ...

WeAreGhosts
WeAreGhosts Posts: 3,110 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
edited 3 February 2015 pm28 9:13PM in Techie Stuff
[it's not my computer, it belongs to a family member]
it is nearly full, but I cannot find out what is filling it up - I tried running a program to find out but it won't work.

it is struggling with the internet, it takes ages to load anything and it's not the wi-fi because it's fine on a laptop.

it's making a strange grinding noise on start-up

oh, and CPU was on 100% with just internet explorer open


the keyboard and monitor are fine, so don't need to replace those.

any ideas about replacing it/trying to fix it?
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Comments

  • prowla
    prowla Posts: 13,721 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Grinding noise sounds like the hard disk might be on its way out; if you've got anything important on it then make a backup copy asap.
  • prowla wrote: »
    Grinding noise sounds like the hard disk might be on its way out; if you've got anything important on it then make a backup copy asap.

    Will do, thanks!
  • d70cw6
    d70cw6 Posts: 784 Forumite
    first thing id do is format reinstall windows/
  • esuhl
    esuhl Posts: 9,409 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    As above, make sure your backups are up-to-date first. Then give it a good vacuum out, and replace the hard drive if it's still noisy.

    Then reinstall Windows. You can get clean ISOs of post-XP Windows OSes, so I'd reinstall using those. (Just make sure you have the licence key needed to reinstall before you do so!) Then visit the support section of the PC manufacturers website, and download and install the relevant hardware drivers.

    http://www.howtogeek.com/186775/how-to-download-windows-7-8-and-8.1-installation-media-legally/?PageSpeed=noscript
  • d70cw6 wrote: »
    first thing id do is format reinstall windows/

    ok, no idea how to do that, but does it involve having the DVD Windows came on? if so, i have no idea where it is .... :(

    this computer runs on Windows XP btw, if that helps any ...
  • esuhl
    esuhl Posts: 9,409 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    ok, no idea how to do that, but does it involve having the DVD Windows came on? if so, i have no idea where it is .... :(

    this computer runs on Windows XP btw, if that helps any ...

    Ah... There aren't any legit downloads for XP.

    Is there a recovery partition on the drive? If so, you could use drive imaging software to transfer the image to a new drive and then install from that.

    The most important thing is to back up important files, then make sure you have the XP product key (so you can re-activate the XP installation). The free version of the Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder should help with that:
    https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
  • Thanks for the link, esuhl, that'll help lots :)
  • NiftyDigits
    NiftyDigits Posts: 10,459 Forumite
    Does this PC have a brand name and model number?
  • Stoke
    Stoke Posts: 3,182 Forumite
    There's no such thing as an ill computer. A computer is a piece of machinery.

    The grinding noise could be the hard disk but it could just be the fan. The fans have bearings which usually require very little maintenance, but do eventually wear and this causes friction which causes noise, grinding and what not. The fans tend to last a long long time, but it's not scientific and by no means deterministic. If it is a fan, you can get a new one for just a few pounds off eBay. When the bearings go and the lubrication stops doing its job, they tend to grind on startup, and in cold conditions until they get warmer.

    I would start again. Backup all your stuff, use the cloud for easy free backup, use a USB portable hard disk if you're scared of SkyNet, format Windows. Install a fresh version of Windows, install all the drivers and updates and bug fixes before installing any software, then install the basic software you need. Don't install every piece of software from your current install, because often, you'll install a program and only use it once or twice. You may never never need it again.
  • It's a Packard Bell, but cannot get to the model number without dismantling the desk to get to it. how do i find it on the PC itself? I work on a Windows 8 laptop and it's far simpler than this thing!

    i am running a program found in the webuser magazine to show what is taking up most room. but i am never sure of what i can safely get rid of.

    bit dubious about starting again, i am not technically minded - especially with this PC ... but I'll see how it goes ...
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