My computer is dying!

[Solange]

The hard drive (is that the correct word?) on my computer is about to break down! It is very old and small, 1.6 G, and it sounds terrible, and it sounds like an old moped when I start the computer! Today it makes more noise than ever! I’ve had trouble starting my computer today, it refused a couple of times, and the graphics on the desktop is not quite all right, the start menu is a blur...

I’ve scanned the disc, there seems to be nothing wrong with it, I guess it’s just old and tired! So I’ve spent all day taking back-ups on everything, all my school-work, papers and stuff. And all my book marks, I would be completely lost without them! But my floppy drive is also not working very well, so I’ve filled my e-mail accounts with the most important stuff!

I have to buy a new hard drive, but I have to wait till after the summer, economy is not strong these days! But I’m looking forward to a new disk that is silent and faster! But with a new one I’ll have a very good computer; everything else (except for the floppy) is perfect! :)

Right now I don’t have the guts to turn the blasted thing off; I don’t know if it will start again!

If I just disappear without a word you know what has happened. In that case:

I’ll be back!

[Lord Croft]

Hang in there Solange.

P.S. yep hard drive is correct

[vakusuma]

A 40G hard drive will set you back about 80 bucks these days.

I'm gonna buy a new one too. The old 40G I have is getting a bit funny sometimes... making funny noises.

Maybe this time I'll buy a 80G... somehow I managed to completely fill up my 40G.

[Solange]

I just chickened out and ordered a 40 GB drive, that will be enough for me. I'll have it in a few days.

I still have not had the guts to turn my computer off, but I'll have to soon!

Thank you for he advice and comforting words!

[DaveJ]

You sure its the drive and not a faulty fan in there?

I've had BOTH on past PC's!

Hope you get it sorted asap.

[Solange]

I don't think so, the hard drive was old and battered when I installed it, a friend helped me build my compter from scratch with partly new stuff, and partly old stuff I inherited from my mother when she got a new computer. The idea was that I could change some of the stuff later, so I wouldn't have to pay so much at once.

This was a great idea, for a very small amount I got a PC that is very good, and I've had it like this for half a year now. So it is time to retire the old hard drive. I know that it is the hard drive that makes the funny moped noises, it sounded like that when it was new too, only not quite as much!

I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and hope it woun't crash until I get the new one. I'm talking nicely too it, hoping that will help!

I've asked a friend to come and help me instal the new one, and all the programs and stuff, I'm unfortunely totally hopeless when it comes to more complicated computer stuff!

[vakusuma]

Good for ya :)

A fan in HD will help, but not much. I find it unnecessary to install one myself.

I built my own comp :)

[LARAMANIAC]

Solange I can so relate to the problems you are having - my puter is a bit of a frankenstein too and the noises and crashing it does sometimes really worries me!!!!:p Hope you get things sorted out don't give up!!!!

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by vakusuma
Good for ya :)

A fan in HD will help, but not much. I find it unnecessary to install one myself.

I built my own comp :)


You have no cooling in there at all?

PC or ticking time bomb?

;)

[vakusuma]

I usually pull the plug the moment interior temperature hits 70C :D

Actually, I used a case fan. I found it enough. Average interior ambient temperature is 40 C and average HD temperature is 43 C. No problem.

[LazyLion]

Solange, you sure your bios supports larger hard drives? If not, check 1st before forking over the money for a 50gig one. You might be throwing away money.

Also, don't expect your new HD to be faster than your old one. The larger a HD, the more time your PC needs to find something on it, so you'll probably notice it'll actually make your PC a bit slower in stead of faster.

[Solange]

The genious who has helped me build the thing says its ok, and he has been right so far! I trust him on this, he very good! I'll give it a try!

It does not have to be faster, but if I could get rid of the noise ít would be great. Plus I need more space, now I have to throw stuff away every once in a while... And I can't install the programs I want.

I got a really god price on the new drive, so I can afford it without starving the rest of the month! :)

Now I'm just hoping the old one will survive a few more days, it was grumpy and bad tempered this morning.