Hard-drive/monitor suddenly not working. Help!!!, page 1

reply to post by Dispo

---

Cheers, man!
I did give the insides a bit of a clean around the fan connected to the harddrive, but that was basically just me blowing my guts out. I'll give the compressed air a go though.

If that doesn't help, it could be your psu giving up the ghost, which is a messy replacement on prebuilds, but fortunately very cheap.

Is that a lengthy procedure? I'm worried about loosing everything I've got stored on the harddrive.

reply to post by Noinoi

---

First things first, BUY AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE RELATIVELY CHEAP COMPARED TO USB STORAGE DEVICES ETC, AND THEY WILL SAVE YOU SO MUCH TIME AND PAIN IN THE LONG RUN, MAYBE NOT NOW, BUT AT SOME POINT, TOMORROW, NEXT WEEK, 2020, THE END OF THE WORLD, WHATEVER JUST GET ONE.

Sorry about the caps, but yeah, put all your stuff on to the external hdd. I don't know if we're allowed to post retail links on ats, but if we are let me know and I'll look in to aus pricing for you. Over here you can get 2TB for £60 at sale price.

One more thing, the only thing in your case that stores data is the hard drive, a small metallic rectangle that might look like this:


Or this:


I'd just like to point out btw that I might be completely wrong here, I'm just offering you my anecdotal advice based on my past experience with computer problems.

It depends, it's not that big of a deal really, it's only the power supply, if you take it out before it blows you won't lose any data. You have to connect it to ~4 points in the case depending on your motherboard/number of hard drives/video card etc, it's a simple component to install.

The only problem is that prebuilt computers tend to have the power cables stuck right down on the non-removable side of the case - you have to remove almost everything to get to it, which again is simple enough if you're used to it, but for a first timer I wouldn't recommend disassembling and reassembling a computer loaded with valuable documents.

From what you've said, my only two hardware suspicions would be your power supply and motherboard, which I believe you've called a hard drive in your OP. It could be software related, but it's unlikely. Still, it's best to rule that out before you go tinkering with a working system.

Would you describe yourself as tech savvy? If so, I'd advise looking in to ubuntu and installing it along side your windows installation, then trying to run that for a while and see if you have the same problems. Note: don't do this if you don't feel up to it. If you choose the wrong installation options you will lose your data. It might be recoverable but it'll be more hassle than meeting your ex-girlfriend at your wedding.

If you try the above option and it works, hey presto! If you don't want to or it doesn't work the next step is running a defrag/analysis on your hdd to make sure it's still working.

Edit: changed the last line, got ahead of myself a bit and nearly missed one of the most important steps.

reply to post by Noinoi

---

If it's an older monitor, a CRT ( not flat screen ) it may just be your monitor going bad. I had a similar problem last year, connected a different monitor and haven't had a problem since.

~Heff

reply to post by Dispo

---

Haha yeah you're right. I mean't the monitor connection on the motherboard.
I wouldn't say I'm 100 computer savy, so I might need a hand from some mates who know more than me if I'm going to start pulling the thing apart.

I've been thinking about getting an external harddrive for awhile now. You've convinced me to get one!

Hefficide:
The original monitor I used was one of those types, but about 12 months ago I upgraded to a flatscreen (current monitor I use). You reckon it's worth testing out another monitor?

reply to post by Noinoi

---

If you've got one handy then it's a good way to eliminate one possibility. I've yet to experience my flat monitor going woogy yet, but I am sure that they do go bad eventually.

If you hook another one up and it works without issue, then Occams razor would apply.

reply to post by Noinoi

---

I can't believe I didn't even think of the monitor myself, I apologise. You can always use your TV as a monitor, most modern ones have a vga or hdmi input port, and if your pc doesn't output vga or hdmi you probably have a vga-dvi converter lying around somewhere.

reply to post by Noinoi

---

You have asked a great question...and have received some very generous and educational( at least to me) replies.

Electronic componnets only have a certain life span.

You can trobleshoot down to the single transisitor level if your computer is that old


But , sometimes its cheaper to just replace it.
Ok you will be ignorant of the solution.
But repairs involve soldering irons ect.
Hey I would say go for it fix it.
It will last another ten years in all likelihood.
But gees those Computer sales guys will starve.
Have a heart.

reply to post by OrionsWitness

---

You can replace almost any part in a computer on one level or another, on rare occurrences should there be a reason to upgrade. If you are using windows and your computer uses Win XP or an older OS, please buy a newer computer, it will make your life so much easier when interacting with current web interfaces, they are fine for text documents and the sort, but are crap for web browsing. However, don't get windows 8. Win 7 is fairly reliable and easy to use, Vista has a ton of problems, and Win 8 is for children with their 'smart' phones and clouds, but if you really feel like taking a step up in the computer word... try Linux, it has a lot to offer. If you have a Mac... I'm sorry.

reply to post by wishful1gnorance

---

I am currently running a dual O/S system and one of those is XP build 3. So far I've yet to come across anything online that it won't run. I use it to access most common tasks, including Yahoo messenger, Skype, Steam, etc.

It's still very much viable.

I tend to cling to this XP build because I lived through all of the Win versions from 3.1 forward and suffered all of the nightmares along that journey. When I finally found a version that was stable? I've been reticent to abandon it.

reply to post by wishful1gnorance

---

P.S. A friendly tip to any computer user: never buy a new computer unless the hardware capabilities of your current computer are not able to keep up with the requirements for software you find to be necessary. It's generally A LOT cheaper to fix it yourself, and the majority of problems are very easily fixed if you know the cause.

The computer can barely handle what's on there at the moment.
If I load up windows media player, and browser window, and Reason (music making software), the mouse resembles a dodgy stop-start animation if I try and move it across the screen.
The HDD light tends to be always on or at least flashing uncontrollably every time I use the computer too.

reply to post by Noinoi

---

constant flicking HDD light indicates you need RAM (memory)
when it slows down, do a control alt delete
switch to the processes tab
click on the heading titles for Memory and CPU see which ones are consuming the most resources.
Call me, and pay me $100phr to fix.

reply to post by Agit8dChop

---

Haha deal! Yeah I've found that google chrome tends to eat up a lot of memory.
The graphics card is very, very hot, but it has a fan that spins. But even when I removed the graphics card and used the old motherboard monitor port, the screen does the same thing.
Hopefully the monitor swap does the trick!

If not, then I'll be backing everything up on an external hdd before it does a Dec 21st, 2012 Mayan millennium self explosion.

reply to post by Hefficide

---

I didn't say it wasn't possible, and yes XP is a much more stable OS than some of the other Win OS's, what is your 2nd boot to? My point was that if you didn't have on of the last versions of xp that was sold commercially than most likely your hardware is out of date and most likely won't handle the more extensive processes of running videos and script. For checking basic online things, sure it will take good care of you.

To the OP, if your computer is working that hard to do the things you normally do, it may be time to upgrade, but don't feel like you have to get the newest or shiniest piece of equipment. Buy around your intentions. I do video editing and graphic design so I bought a higher end computer to suit my purposes. I use a secondary computer all together for online interaction. When you start muddling your system with a bunch of background process and second or tertiary programs it will get bogged down and run its life out a little faster.

How to browse the Internet safely like an IT pro!
  Posted 16 days ago with 38 member flags

Problems with software restriction Policies in windows 7
  Posted 19 days ago with 2 member flags

How Does a Friend of Mine get Rid Of http://isearch.claro-search.com from his PC......?
  Posted 14 days ago with 2 member flags

Need I Ask?: How can the "ask" toolbar be removed manually.
  Posted 1 days ago with 2 member flags

JAVA Update #35 Causing Browser Slowdown/Crashes?
  Posted 9 days ago with 1 member flags

Any Beginner Python Sites available?
  Posted 1 days ago with 1 member flags

Laptop charger wont charge.
  Posted 16 days ago with 0 member flags

Problem with youtube?
  Posted 19 days ago with 0 member flags

Newest topics, updated in real-time:

Newest topics getting flags, in real-time:

Newest topics getting replies, in real-time: