failing HD?

Virgil57 · Post by **Virgil57** » Tue Oct 08, 2002 9:56 pm

My friend is having some serious issues with her computer and I am not quite sure what is wrong. The HD makes a lot more noise than is should IMO at times. During start up and some times during opperation the computer makes a constant beeping sound. This sound is like the beep some computers make during start up, but a different pitch. I think the HD is going, but I am not sure about the noise, could it be some alarm on the mother board? Kinda vague I know, but I haven't actually looked at the comp in a few weeks.

Mr Flibble · Post by **Mr Flibble** » Tue Oct 08, 2002 10:16 pm

The beeping noise at startup is probably an alarm on the motherboard and will indicate what is wrong. Do you know the exact sequence of tone and length?

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Wed Oct 09, 2002 8:46 pm

If you system speaker is beeping, your POST (power-on self test) is detecting some sort of error. The sequence of beeps will let you know what the problem is (CPU, memory, OSD, etc.). For instance, if you hear an ambulance-like siren sound, it means that your system is detecting a cooling problem and either the system fan or the CPU fan isn't working properly. Like our friend Mr Flibble says, we'll need to hear the pattern to determine what's wrong.

You hard drive should not make any noise other than the soft whirring sound it makes from spinning around. If you hear other noises, it's probably either failing or on the verge of failing. How old is the drive? If it's more than three years old, you need to back up any data you want to keep and replace it. If it's a new drive, see if it's still under warranty and try and get the manufacturer to replace it (at their expense).

Virgil57 · Post by **Virgil57** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 4:24 pm

I'll get to see the comp this weekend, so I should have some more info about it at that point. I am pretty sure that the HD is failing given the amount of noise it makes (I can hear it over the phone if I am talking to her when the comp starts up). As far as the squence of beeps goes I think I'm going to have to wait until the computer is at my place and I can listen to it before I have more info on that.

Virgil57 · Post by **Virgil57** » Mon Oct 14, 2002 3:04 pm

Well the HD was going, but I got a new one installed no problems. It turns out there was a problem with the keyboard, the delete button would get stuck (even though the key wasn't). This would sometimes cause the computer to make a rapid beep (sounded almost like a tick it was pretty fast and low key). I am assuming this is some kind or error b/c it was to late to enter the BIOS?

Mr Flibble · Post by **Mr Flibble** » Mon Oct 14, 2002 3:10 pm

Originally posted by Virgil57
I am assuming this is some kind or error b/c it was to late to enter the BIOS?

The ticking noise is due to the keyboard buffer overwlow caused by the delete key. It more than likely means the keyboard has something stuck on one of the key switches. Simplest answer is replace the keyboard.

Virgil57 · Post by **Virgil57** » Mon Oct 14, 2002 10:11 pm

Sounds good! Thanks for the help!