Computer is having problem powering up

[JD]

I have a 15 month old Win Xp computer For the last week or so, I have
been hearing a small whining sound when I started the computer
although I wasn't quite sure that it was coming from the computer.
This morning, I heard a slightly different sound, which was like a
little clicking and the computer would power up for a couple of
seconds and then shut off. I did that a couple of times, and it would
not power up. Then I waited about 5 minutes, and it powered up. Is
the problem my power supply or something else? And, is it difficult
to I fix the problem. I have installed cards and memory in computers,
but I am no expert at working with computers. Any assistance will be
appreciated.

Thanks,


JD

 

[Robert Moir]

I have a 15 month old Win Xp computer For the last week or so, I have
been hearing a small whining sound when I started the computer
although I wasn't quite sure that it was coming from the computer.
This morning, I heard a slightly different sound, which was like a
little clicking and the computer would power up for a couple of
seconds and then shut off. I did that a couple of times, and it would
not power up. Then I waited about 5 minutes, and it powered up. Is
the problem my power supply or something else? And, is it difficult
to I fix the problem. I have installed cards and memory in computers,
but I am no expert at working with computers. Any assistance will be
appreciated.

I'd examine the cooling fan on the processor. It's hard to tell from your
description obviously, but what you say puts me in mind of the fan not
always spinning up properly and now failing to spin at all sometimes.

 

[JD]

I'd examine the cooling fan on the processor. It's hard to tell from your
description obviously, but what you say puts me in mind of the fan not
always spinning up properly and now failing to spin at all sometimes.

Does the fact that the computer has been running smoothly for an hour
after I powered it up this morning help you narrow down the problem.
Also, I am thinking of keeping the computer running continuously this
week because I have a more than normal need for it this week. If that
is the case would it be prudent to have the computer running in the
standby or hibernate mode when it is not actually in operation?

Thanks again,

JD

 

[Anna]

Does the fact that the computer has been running smoothly for an hour
after I powered it up this morning help you narrow down the problem.
Also, I am thinking of keeping the computer running continuously this
week because I have a more than normal need for it this week. If that
is the case would it be prudent to have the computer running in the
standby or hibernate mode when it is not actually in operation?

Thanks again,

JD

JD:
It's entirely possible that the problem is with your CPU fan as Robert
suggested. On the other hand the problem could be due to a multitude of
other causes - hardware problems of one sort or another.

The first thing should do - the very *first* thing - is to ensure you have a
backup of your system, at least those files & folders that are important or
crucial to you. Better yet would be to clone the contents of your present
HDD to another HDD using one or another disk imaging/disk cloning program.
In any event, as this situation proceeds make absolutely sure your have
current backups of your data.

Check out your HDD with a HDD diagnostic utility that you can usually
download from the website of the disk's manufacturer. This is important and
you should do this as soon as possible.

The symptoms you describe does sound like it may be a power supply problem.
Maybe. The only way to definitively tell in that type of situation is to
replace the PS with a known working one. Also examine any other fans in your
system (other than the CPU one) to see if they're not whirring away merrily.

I would *not* place your computer in either standby or hibernation mode
during this time until you've definitely diagnosed and corrected the
problem. Doing so introduces another possible stress element to the system.

 

[Robert Moir]

The symptoms you describe does sound like it may be a power supply
problem. Maybe. The only way to definitively tell in that type of
situation is to replace the PS with a known working one. Also examine any
other fans in your system (other than the CPU one) to see if they're not
whirring away merrily.

I would *not* place your computer in either standby or hibernation mode
during this time until you've definitely diagnosed and corrected the
problem. Doing so introduces another possible stress element to the
system.

Very good advice from Anna. The first thing I'd do would be to follow the
'back-up' suggestion. I'd do that just as soon as I possibly could.

I'll also second the point about being wary of leaving the computer running
(with or without suspend & Hibernate). You know you've got a problem and
there seems little benefit in 'baiting' it.

 

[Gerry]

JD

How much dust has accumulated inside the computer case?
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[JD]

JD

How much dust has accumulated inside the computer case?http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good point

 

[Anna]

(SNIP)

Good point

JD:
It's always a possibility of accumulated dust causing overheating problems
in a PC. However, in my experience, with the exception of
maintaining/repairing PCs in extraordinary dust-laden environments, e.g.,
beauty parlors & the like, I can't recall a single instance of that type of
problem arising in a normal home environment with a 15-month or so old PC.

But as I say it's always possible and there's no harm checking it out. The
only reason for this post is to caution you to be extremely careful in
whatever "cleaning" activities you may take inside the PC case. No vacuum
cleaning, harsh chemicals, etc, etc. Be very gentle and do some research on
the net re dust-removing a PC. I can't tell you the number of users who came
to our shop for repairs because of their "cleaning" zeal.
Anna

 

[JD]

This is an update on what has happened since I last posted. I
downloaded Seagate's harddrive testing software (windows not DOS), and
it hangs on the short DST test, and it aborts near the end of the
generic test. Also, checkdisk aborts after getting near the end of
the index checking function.

Additionally, I was wondering how difficult or easy it would be to
clone another harddrive. I would like certain work to get done
without interruption this week and maybe that is the way to go. Next
week, I will have more time to have someone fix the problem or fix it
myself.

This is all puzzling to me because the computer has been working well
all morning since I booted it up.

Thanks,

JD

 

[Anna]

JD:
It's entirely possible that the problem is with your CPU fan as Robert (Moir)
suggested. On the other hand the problem could be due to a multitude of
other causes - hardware problems of one sort or another.

The first thing should do - the very *first* thing - is to ensure you have a
backup of your system, at least those files & folders that are important or
crucial to you. Better yet would be to clone the contents of your present
HDD to another HDD using one or another disk imaging/disk cloning program.
In any event, as this situation proceeds make absolutely sure your have
current backups of your data.

Check out your HDD with a HDD diagnostic utility that you can usually
download from the website of the disk's manufacturer. This is important and
you should do this as soon as possible.

The symptoms you describe does sound like it may be a power supply problem.
Maybe. The only way to definitively tell in that type of situation is to
replace the PS with a known working one. Also examine any other fans in your
system (other than the CPU one) to see if they're not whirring away merrily.

I would *not* place your computer in either standby or hibernation mode
during this time until you've definitely diagnosed and corrected the
problem. Doing so introduces another possible stress element to the system.
Anna

This is an update on what has happened since I last posted. I
downloaded Seagate's harddrive testing software (windows not DOS), and
it hangs on the short DST test, and it aborts near the end of the
generic test. Also, checkdisk aborts after getting near the end of
the index checking function.

Additionally, I was wondering how difficult or easy it would be to
clone another harddrive. I would like certain work to get done
without interruption this week and maybe that is the way to go. Next
week, I will have more time to have someone fix the problem or fix it
myself.

This is all puzzling to me because the computer has been working well
all morning since I booted it up.

Thanks,

JD

JD:
Asking the question as you do about "how difficult or easy it would be to clone another harddrive", I assume you've never undertaken a disk cloning operation before. Is that so?

Assuming it is, the process is not terribly complex nor time-consuming using a disk cloning type of program. Do you have one or are you simply casting about for suggestions as to what specific program would be recommended?

I think you are wise in cloning the contents of that possibly defective HDD A/S/A/P. And even before doing so, if there are some particularly important or crucial files that you *must* have, it probably would be wise to back them up to some media in the meantime - to such media as a CD, flash drive, etc., while the HDD is functioning.

If the Seagate HDD diagnostic indicates problems with the disk, then there are problems with the disk, make no mistake about that. It's possible these problems are of such a nature that the chkdsk utility or a Repair install of the OS may correct things, but the message from the HDD diagnostic utility is an ominous one. It is not to be minimized nor disregarded. So back up your data one way or another A/S/A/P.
Anna