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Noisy boot up

Discussion in 'Computers & Technology Forum' started by dianetavegia, Nov 28, 2004.

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  1. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    Every few days, my hard drive makes a good bit of noise during boot up. I can allow it to load and then shut down and when I turn it back on, it's quiet.

    Thoughts? I'm afraid I'm about to lose my hard drive and don't want to lose my 'neat files' or pictures.

    I generally shut down each night but am wondering if I should just leave it running. Thoughts?
     
    #1 dianetavegia, Nov 28, 2004
  2. stevec

    stevec New Member

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    That's not much info to go on but I would strongly suggest you back up anything important NOW (which is a good idea anyway). Is it a "chattering" noise? Generally, when a hard drive starts to make that kind of noise it's a (unrepairable) mechanical problem and your hard drive is about to go "ka-bloowie".
     
    #2 stevec, Nov 28, 2004
  3. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Is there a temperature change in your home at night. Now and then I've had drives that were noisy when cold.

    Also antivirus software can cause a drive to seek something and cause a lot of racket.

    Are you sure it is the hard drive. Fans also can give a lot of noise, especially when cold or hot. (You probably have two if it is a desktop)

    Floppy drives also get a lot of noise from anitvirus software now and then.

    At any rate, back up in case something serious is coming - hey, you ought to be backing up all the time anyway :) lest ye regret your not backing up some day.

    Further description might also help. Does it quiet down after it is finished booting? etc.
     
    #3 exscentric, Nov 28, 2004
  4. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    We turn our heat down to about 60° at night and the hard drive would be cold when I boot up.

    Not a chattering sound but like a cheap CD player seeking for the next song. Whirling....

    Also, it doesn't sound like a fan. I've had fans go several times over the years. The sound is the whirling sound of the hard drive and is just 'noisy' compared to usual. Right now, it's virtually silent except for the minor fan sound.

    I don't know if it gets quiet after booting because each time it's done this (maybe 4 times), I've shut down and rebooted right away and it's been silent.

    We use Norton Anti-Virus and always have. I've never noticed this HP being loud before this week.

    I don't have enough floppy's to save all my photos, stationary and midi files right now. We were able to save my favorites and address book tonight just in case. Hubby leaves early tomorrow for a week of training out of state so.... we have 2 other computers but none of this is saved there.
     
    #4 dianetavegia, Nov 28, 2004
  5. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    I'd guess it might just be a little cold, they ride on a skim of oil I think and if it is thicker than normal, it might do that. Our hp had the same habit, and we run our heat way low at night. In the mornings I used to hear it complaining.

    I'd suggest, if you can afford it, picking up a usb external harddrive. You just plug it in the usb port and copy the files you want to the new drive. I have one that I backup on about once a month then unplug it and leave it alone.

    You could use it on any of your puters that have usb.

    Zip drives are another option, but the external hard drives are about the same price and you don't have to buy the added disks for the zip.

    They also have external cd writers for not too much money that would work for your back up as well.
     
    #5 exscentric, Nov 28, 2004
  6. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    Any idea on the cost of an external hd? I found a new Seagate HD with a 5 year warranty for $89.00.
     
    #6 dianetavegia, Nov 28, 2004
  7. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    I'd guess that is good, depends on how big. I've seen 200 gig for a little over 100 and 80-100 for under, it is just what is on sale when you need it :) Five year warr. is great, Maxtor dropped theirs to 90 days awhile back.
     
    #7 exscentric, Nov 29, 2004
  8. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    Best Buy has Western Digital for $49. after rebate. I only have a 30 gig right now and a 120 gig would be more than I'd ever need. I've only used about 14 gig.
     
    #8 dianetavegia, Nov 29, 2004
  9. superdave

    superdave New Member

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    You may be able to install the second drive in your system and back up to it. if you have or can get a cd burner you can backup to that in case you have to reload. Anytime a hard drive is making more noise than usual, its time to have a backup strategy.

    Do you have another system? You can transfer files to another system like a laptop to backup as well. I think there are some online services for migrating and backing up your pc that are not too expensive.
     
    #9 superdave, Nov 29, 2004
  10. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    We have 3 computers. One is a laptop with a CD burner. We've put in a second drive on a computer that died a few years ago, made the one a slave and switched over with no problem. Seems like Western Digital has an online tool for transfering files.

    Hubby doesn't want to put my stationary and pictures on his laptop....... We never bothered to remove the old drive. It finally picked up a pretty bad virus from a midi file I loaded into my Outlook Express Stationary.

    I'm legally blind at night and Jim's away til Friday night. I have 7 children in and out all day (NOT at the same time!) so can't easily get to Best Buys in the 'big city'. [​IMG] Of course, I'd not install it anyhow!!!
     
    #10 dianetavegia, Nov 29, 2004
  11. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    It was the fan! Jim got home last night and took it apart. When he plugged it back in, the fan started squealing. He replaced it a few minutes ago. It was nice to have something be an easy fix.

    Thanks all!
    Diane
     
    #11 dianetavegia, Dec 4, 2004
  12. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Great! "easy fix" is nice once in awhile!
     
    #12 exscentric, Dec 4, 2004
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