O.T. : Computer Noise

[Navyguy]

I have a Dell Dimension 8200 running IE8 with XP, SP3 , Windows
Firewall, Avira antivirus, Spybot (for updates only), Spywareblaster,
ATF and Hive Cleanup and all the programs work well together and are
up to date.

Lately, I’ve noticed that the computer is somewhat noisy when first
logging on. At first I thought it was the fan rattling (which
occasionally happens) and I just tap the cage and it goes away but
this is internal. After a few minutes it quiets down but I'm wondering
if my hd is going?

Also, in passing, whenever I do an Avira scan it comes up clean with
nothing detected by there’s (1) hidden object. Should I be concerned?

Thoughts/Suggestions,


Thanks,
Robert

 

[Tim Meddick]

Regarding your position on failing hard-drives - you should *always* be
concerned for the simple reason that all hard-drives will fail on you,
sooner or later...

So you should guard against it now (if you have anything of the remotest
value to you on your hd) by conducting regular back-ups to either a
secondary internal hd or an external USB drive.

You are tempting fate if you do not.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.




I have a Dell Dimension 8200 running IE8 with XP, SP3 , Windows
Firewall, Avira antivirus, Spybot (for updates only), Spywareblaster,
ATF and Hive Cleanup and all the programs work well together and are
up to date.

Lately, I’ve noticed that the computer is somewhat noisy when first
logging on. At first I thought it was the fan rattling (which
occasionally happens) and I just tap the cage and it goes away but
this is internal. After a few minutes it quiets down but I'm wondering
if my hd is going?

Also, in passing, whenever I do an Avira scan it comes up clean with
nothing detected by there’s (1) hidden object. Should I be concerned?

Thoughts/Suggestions,


Thanks,
Robert

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Regarding your position on failing hard-drives - you should *always* be
concerned for the simple reason that all hard-drives will fail on you,
sooner or later...

So you should guard against it now (if you have anything of the remotest
value to you on your hd) by conducting regular back-ups to either a
secondary internal hd or an external USB drive.

You are tempting fate if you do not.

I agree with everything you say, *except* for recommending "a
secondary internal hd." I don't recommend backup to a second
non-removable hard drive because it leaves you susceptible to
simultaneous loss of the original and backup to many of the most
common dangers: severe power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, virus
attacks, even theft of the computer.

In my view, secure backup needs to be on removable media, and not kept
in the computer. For really secure backup (needed, for example, if the
life of your business depends on your data) you should have multiple
generations of backup, and at least one of those generations should be
stored off-site.

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Ken Blake, MVP:

I don't recommend backup to a second
non-removable hard drive because it leaves you susceptible to
simultaneous loss of the original and backup to many of the most
common dangers: severe power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, virus
attacks, even theft of the computer.

In my view, secure backup needs to be on removable media,

I use a half-dozen SATA drives and one of those toaster-like
docks - rotating drives between the computer area, my car, and
where ever else is convenient at the time.

One issue that seldom gets mentioned: a controller card on the
way out can fry your drive. Been there, done that.

Having at least one drive offsite gives, aside from the obvious,
hedges against my own lack of quick thinking: it keeps me from
frying the offsite drives before it dawns on me that something is
wrong.

Also, I have a little .BAT file that does a CHKDSK on the backup
drive. Every time I swap in a new drive, I run the .BAT file
and eyeball the results to make sure I'm not backing up to
damaged drives.

 

[Johnw]

Navyguy formulated the question :

I have a Dell Dimension 8200 running IE8 with XP, SP3 , Windows
Firewall, Avira antivirus, Spybot (for updates only), Spywareblaster,
ATF and Hive Cleanup and all the programs work well together and are
up to date.

Lately, I’ve noticed that the computer is somewhat noisy when first
logging on. At first I thought it was the fan rattling (which
occasionally happens) and I just tap the cage and it goes away but
this is internal. After a few minutes it quiets down but I'm wondering
if my hd is going?

Also, in passing, whenever I do an Avira scan it comes up clean with
nothing detected by there’s (1) hidden object. Should I be concerned?

I would be looking at dust on on the PSU fan & CPU + fan.

Take a cover off & clean out the dust, put an external fan on & see if
it behaves with the extra cooling. Make sure all the fans ( including
the power supply ) are spinning fast, with the power off, give them a
spin with a matchstick to make sure they not stuck.

Information about cleaning computer components
http://www.computerhope.com/cleaning.htm
http://www.wiscocomputing.com/articles/maintenance.htm
http://www.librarysupportstaff.com/4compcare.html
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial118.html
Getting The Grunge Out Of Your PC, Fred Langa cleans the dirtiest PC he
can find, and along the way shows you how you can easily tackle yours.
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60403472
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60403472&pgno=2
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60403472&pgno=3
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60403472&pgno=4
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60403472&pgno=5
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60403472&pgno=6
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60403472&pgno=7
Quiet noisy computer fans with a drop of oil
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6255-5034842.html?tag=tt

 

[Mike S]

Navyguy formulated the question :

And how do you know there is a hidden object, what program is reporting it?

If you're concerned about viruses you might consider these:

HouseCall Free Online Virus Scan by Trend Micro
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Malwarebytes Antimalware too
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Mike