Computers and Related Hardware/Software

[bmwracer]

Reformatting would be a near-last resort because there's so much you have to do before reformatting (saving files and config info) and after (reinstalling everything )...

First thing is top back up all your important files, then try running a defrag on the drive... It may be that your disc is so fragmented that the noise is from the heads jumping around to access data...

[Mr.ChoyBoi]

bmwracer wrote:

Reformatting would be a near-last resort because there's so much you have to do before reformatting (saving files and config info) and after (reinstalling everything )...

Reformatting is not a fun process. You have to backup EVERYTHING.... and then once it comes time to put everything back, you always forget something....Well atleast I do...
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[bmwracer]

Mr.ChoyBoi wrote:

Reformatting is not a fun process. You have to backup EVERYTHING.... and then once it comes time to put everything back, you always forget something....Well atleast I do...

Absolutely. It might take several hours just to make a thorough inventory of all the software installed...

I know it's cost-prohibitive, but getting a new hard drive and doing a fresh install and using the existing drive as a second physical drive, would be less painful...

Try defragging first, though.

[Mr.ChoyBoi]

bmwracer wrote:

Try defragging first, though.

And make sure you get rid of everything you dont use and run all those spybot stuff.
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[ahochaude]

Thanks guys for the advice.

One thing, how do I defragment?
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[z123_us]

ahochaude wrote:

Thanks guys for the advice. One thing, how do I defragment?

that is easy.


goto

start menu> programs> accessories> system tools > disk defragmentor

run it, choose the drives respectively, it will take some time though so dont be impatient with it

[ahochaude]

z123_us wrote:

that is easy. goto start menu> programs> accessories> system tools > disk defragmentor run it, choose the drives respectively, it will take some time though so dont be impatient with it

Thank you.

Now I have another question regarding this........

bmwracer wrote:

First thing is top back up all your important files, then try running a defrag on the drive... It may be that your disc is so fragmented that the noise is from the heads jumping around to access data...

Degragging could cost me to lose all of my files on the drive?
Man, I'm not good at this computer stuff. All I know is that when I start hearing that noise, I push the "sleep"/standby button and wait a few. Then I "wake up" my computer and the noise is gone.
Before attempting a defrag, should I continue to do this, or should I just let the computer go, making noise or not?
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[bmwracer]

ahochaude wrote:

Degragging could cost me to lose all of my files on the drive?

Not likely, but you should be backing up your important stuff anyways.

[dochira]

bmwracer wrote:

Not likely, but you should be backing up your important stuff anyways.

Yup, remember my mantra: "Backup, backup, backup." I've been burned many times when my hard drive crashes and I have no backup.

[ahochaude]

Thanks guys. I've already defragmented my drives. Now I'm in the process of cleaning up my disc space and backing up whatever I need.
We'll see if my drive starts to make that noise again....
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[z123_us]

ahochaude wrote:

Thanks guys. I've already defragmented my drives. Now I'm in the process of cleaning up my disc space and backing up whatever I need. We'll see if my drive starts to make that noise again....

sorry i missed your prev question when u had asked it.

FYI - defrag basically arranges the files which r stored in a fragmented manner all across the HDD, gets these files together in a single chain so the disk head can read easily and faster.

but yeah i go with what DOCH said ... BACKUP is very imp.

i actually have 2 rewritable disks, which i update my important stuff.

but did u find some improvement after the defrag or not.. or still noisy

NOISE and HDD -> not the best of friends

[ahochaude]

HD is still making noise. Time to back up all the files....

And then look for a new drive.
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[bmwracer]

ahochaude wrote:

HD is still making noise. Time to back up all the files.... And then look for a new drive.

That's a safe move...

[z123_us]

ahochaude wrote:

HD is still making noise. Time to back up all the files.... And then look for a new drive.

well i know that is safest!

but my friend has a thinkpad and his drive has been noisy for like over an year now and well no probs

but if u can spend some $ then might as well be safer

[kill_mart]

ahochaude wrote:

My HD is making a weird noise. Just started around last Tuesday. The sound reminds me of a fan's motor or something. It comes and goes. *edit* I just did a shut down and turned it back on a few minutes later. Now there is no sound. Anyone have a diagnosis?

What kind of noise? It might not be the HD.
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[dochira]

kill_mart wrote:

What kind of noise? It might not be the HD.

Hmm, you have a point. It could be the power supply fan.

[kill_mart]

dochira wrote:

Hmm, you have a point. It could be the power supply fan.

Yeah It could be the fan.
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[bmwracer]

dochira wrote:

Hmm, you have a point. It could be the power supply fan.

That should be easy to check.

[ahochaude]

How do I check that?
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[Mr.ChoyBoi]

ahochaude wrote:

How do I check that?

Im not sure if this is the best way, but this is how I would do it: Unplug your HD, since you think its making sounds, and see if the sound persists. If it does, then most likely its your power supply fan.
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