Blue Screen\Clicking Noise\Slow System\Physical Dump of Memory

[Jillian]

Hello,
Was hoping someone else could help me with this, please
bear with me as I describe all the symptoms.

Lately, my laptop has been running slow, and a few weeks
ago this blue screen popped up with freaked the hell out
of me...said something like "Windows has experienced an
error, must shut down...blah blah blah, physical dump of
memory has begun". So, I shut down my computer, waited
and re-started. Things were okay, but my laptop was still
running slow.

Saturday I heard my computer making these clicking
noises...not from the speakers, but from the actual
computer. Then it got slower and slower (my system), and
the blue screen popped up again.

Yesterday, it happened multiple times, and I finally
called Microsoft and when I described the symptoms they
suggested I call my laptop manufacturer. (Note, I have no
viruses that I know of on my computer--have run multiple
scans from Microsoft Support page, Norton, and Symantec).
The guy at Dell was very helpful, and stayed on the phone
with me for over an hour and directed me to taking apart
my hard drive, memory (and cleaning the brass things), CD
drive, floppy drive, and battery and then holding the
power button down for 30 seconds before putting it back
together. He had me start the computer in Safe mode and
make some changes to the settings. When I was done with
him my computer was running much faster, but then last
night after my computer had been on for a few hours the
clicking started again and the blue screen popped up.

Not sure what else I can do, will try calling Microsoft
again tonight, but please let me know if any of you have
experienced this and can help me in any way. I'd really
appreciate any advice! Thanks!
Jillian

jillian@(remove_this)virginia.edu

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The only component in a laptop that can cause a
clicking sound is the hard drive....it may be failing.

The Data Lifeguard Online Diagnostics service is a web-based
diagnostic utility capable of testing any manufacturer's EIDE
hard drive. The purpose of the Data Lifeguard Online Diagnostics
service is to provide the user with an easy method to physically
test the health of the hard drives installed in his system without
the need to create a bootable diskette or to reboot the system.
http://support.wdc.com/dlg/onlinedlg.asp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| Hello,
| Was hoping someone else could help me with this, please
| bear with me as I describe all the symptoms.
|
| Lately, my laptop has been running slow, and a few weeks
| ago this blue screen popped up with freaked the hell out
| of me...said something like "Windows has experienced an
| error, must shut down...blah blah blah, physical dump of
| memory has begun". So, I shut down my computer, waited
| and re-started. Things were okay, but my laptop was still
| running slow.
|
| Saturday I heard my computer making these clicking
| noises...not from the speakers, but from the actual
| computer. Then it got slower and slower (my system), and
| the blue screen popped up again.
|
| Yesterday, it happened multiple times, and I finally
| called Microsoft and when I described the symptoms they
| suggested I call my laptop manufacturer. (Note, I have no
| viruses that I know of on my computer--have run multiple
| scans from Microsoft Support page, Norton, and Symantec).
| The guy at Dell was very helpful, and stayed on the phone
| with me for over an hour and directed me to taking apart
| my hard drive, memory (and cleaning the brass things), CD
| drive, floppy drive, and battery and then holding the
| power button down for 30 seconds before putting it back
| together. He had me start the computer in Safe mode and
| make some changes to the settings. When I was done with
| him my computer was running much faster, but then last
| night after my computer had been on for a few hours the
| clicking started again and the blue screen popped up.
|
| Not sure what else I can do, will try calling Microsoft
| again tonight, but please let me know if any of you have
| experienced this and can help me in any way. I'd really
| appreciate any advice! Thanks!
| Jillian

 

[GTS]

I concur with Carey that the hard drive is highly suspect but would look at
another issue also. Some laptops have a cooling fan (usually at the back or
bottom of the case). I suggest looking at that also, particularly see if
appears dust clogged and if you can hear the sound right at the fan Your
mention of it failing after a couple of hours and slow running (the bios
will drop CPU speed if it runs too hot), may indicate a possible overheating
issue.

 

[Jillian]

Thank you GTS for your advice. I tried the diagnostic
test that Carey suggested, and it said my hard drive is
fine...so I think that what you say could be the
reason...could you explain to me what the BIOS is? Is
there a way that you suggest I can best clean my cooling
fan? I believe your diagnosis is correct, especially
since it happens a few hours after my computer has been
on. Thanks so much!
Jillian
jillian@(remove_this)virginia.edu

 

[Jillian]

Hello,
Thanks for explaining BIOS to me. I can see my fan on my
laptop (Dell Inspiron 2500). It's in the back left corner
behind a grill. With the fan vents perpendicular to it on
the left side at the very back. I used my laptop vary
sparingly last night and the fan didn't come on at all,
but I only ran one program at a time.

Thanks for your continued help!
Jillian

 

[Jillian]

Hello,
Thanks for explaining BIOS to me. I can see my fan on my
laptop (Dell Inspiron 2500). It's in the back left corner
behind a grill. With the fan vents perpendicular to it on
the left side at the very back. I used my laptop vary
sparingly last night and the fan didn't come on at all,
but I only ran one program at a time.

Thanks for your continued help!
Jillian

 

[GTS]

Your welcome. When it gets hotter hopefully you can identify whether if it
kicks in and if the noise is coming from there.
--