Mark wrote:
> I've had 2 BSOD's with the "24" error code ran SFC and it found corrupt
> files unable to repair. I can also hear a ticking sound coming from the
> front of my PC.
The ticking could be a failing hard drive but it could also be a bad fan
causing the machine to overheat. That's a much easier fix than a failing
hard drive!
1) Open the computer and run it open after cleaning out all dust
bunnies. Observe all fans (overheating will cause system freezing and/or
crashing). This includes the fan on your video card if you have one.
Obviously you can't do this with a laptop, but you can hear if the fan
is running and feel if the laptop is getting too hot. For a desktop,
without touching anything hold your hand close to the inside of the case
and feel how hot things are getting.
2) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility downloaded from the
drive mftr.'s website. You will create a bootable CD with the file you
download. You will need third-party burning software to do this such as
Roxio, Nero, or the free CDBurnerXP Pro.
http://www.cdburnerxp.se/
Boot with the CD you made and do a thorough test of the drive. If it
fails any physical tests, replace it.
Standard disclaimer: I can't see and test your computer myself, so these
are just suggestions based on many years of being a professional
computer tech; suggestions based on what you've written. You should not
take my suggestions as a definitive diagnosis. Testing hardware failures
often involves swapping out suspected parts with known-good parts. If
you can't do the testing yourself and/or are uncomfortable opening your
computer, take the machine to a professional computer repair shop (not
your local equivalent of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). If possible, have
all your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User