Something VERY wrong with my PC...

[quadomatic]

Recently my computer started making a very high-frequency screaming/squealing/squeaking noise. I thought it was my Hard Drive failing but...

I went and found a Hitachi site that shows different sounds that show that your hard drive is failing, and my hard drive doesn't sound like any of those noises. It may or may not be that my hard drive is failing. All I can say for sure that there is a VERY high-frequency noise coming from my computer. Also, occasionally my CPU fan makes a "varooosh" sound, that seems like the fan is either speeding up or slowing down. I know that my CPU is running somewhat hot...when I play Frets on Fire, the CPU can break 70 degrees Celsius (Athlon 3300+ socket 754, no overclock).

Yesterday, after leaving my PC alone for an hour or two, I came back to download something, and it was going incredulously slow, so I shut it down.

I don't know if this helps, but about 2 months ago my PC's power supply got blown out in a power surge, and I replaced around half a month ago with a power supply with the same wattage made by the same people (kind of sucked, because I had to pay double what I paid for it about 3 years ago)

Lately I haven't been able to play games either. Usually, no matter what game it is (Half-Life 2, Prey, etc.) it just shuts down after about 30 minutes.

So, I've pretty much just narrowed it down to either my CPU fan and/or my hard drive is failing. Can anyone help me out from this information?

Here are the full specs:

Athlon 64 3300+ Socket 754 (No oc, running with some thermaltake fan)
ATI X850 PRO 256 MB PCI-Express
Biostar nForce 4 motherboard
Western Digital Caviar 160GB Hard Drive
768MB Ram
ULTRA 400-Watt PSU

Just a side note: For safety sake, I stopped using my computer, and I'm using my shitty old laptop.

[theonetruewill]

OK it could be a few things.
First could you check your cpu and Hard drive's temperature with a program like speedfan.
If it's above 60 celcius for your processor, that is the reason it is having problems. In fact anything above 50 and thats not good for your chip. meaning during games it could be overheating and shutting down to prevent damage.
Hard drive shouldn't really be above 50 celcius either. Byt the way I know these are hot temps for you know-it-alls out there but I'm trying to ascertain quickly whether its one of these parts.

If you're worried about HD life then use this program to test it.
http://www.drivehealth.com/

Your new Power supply could still be causing problems. The surge may also have crippled other components. This may include your motherboard or RAM (sorry mate) but don't despair yet. Check all of the above then reply.

[quadomatic]

like I said, the processor reaches over 70 degrees while doing things like playing Frets on Fire.

Normally its at 46-ish when it's very idle. Then it gets over 50 degrees. I think it was normally running at mid 50s

The thing is, I didn't have the problems like I did yesterday where it went extremely slow until just yesterday. I've had the screaming/squealing noise for a while though.

Regardless, it seems like I need a new CPU fan. I have an 80GB hard drive lying around and a USB Hard Drive enclosure. I think I'm going to stick in a new fan, unplug my current hard drive, plug in the new one and install Windows, and then plug the 160 GB hard drive into an enclosure and back up everything I need to the 80 GB hard drive, just in case the hard drive does fail. Then I'll either run a diagnostics test on the 160GB drive, or I'll plug in the 160 GB hard drive back into the PC and see if the problems persist.

[theonetruewill]

like I said, the processor reaches over 70 degrees while doing things like playing Frets on Fire.

Normally its at 46-ish when it's very idle. Then it gets over 50 degrees. I think it was normally running at mid 50s

The thing is, I didn't have the problems like I did yesterday where it went extremely slow until just yesterday. I've had the screaming/squealing noise for a while though.

Regardless, it seems like I need a new CPU fan. I have an 80GB hard drive lying around and a USB Hard Drive enclosure. I think I'm going to stick in a new fan, unplug my current hard drive, plug in the new one and install Windows, and then plug the 160 GB hard drive into an enclosure and back up everything I need to the 80 GB hard drive, just in case the hard drive does fail. Then I'll either run a diagnostics test on the 160GB drive, or I'll plug in the 160 GB hard drive back into the PC and see if the problems persist.


Very sorry for that, for some reason I didn't see that 70 degrees part:confused: . Well then its quite likely that your cpu is overheating and then causing a shutdown. I'm going to guess at what your problem is. The suealing might be being caused by the CPU HSF's fan dying. If that is the case then the cpu will raise in temperature. A good bet is an Artic Cooling 64 pro as a replacement, with some Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound. Check the drive health anyway. Also, run orthos for a couple of hours and see what your max temperature for cpu is.

[quadomatic]

Thx a lot for the quick replies

If the hard drive isn't failing, is it possible that my PC being extremely slow was caused by overheating?

Would I have to worry about my drive being brought closer to failure by running a diagnostic test? Should I just backup everything I need first using the USB enclosure I have?

Should I use OCZ Ultra 5+ Silver Thermal Compound or the Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound?

Also, I'm not willing to spend much more than $15 on a CPU fan, so would this do:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2541425&CatId=1187

[theonetruewill]

For the compound check this out, read it all.http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=26300

I REALY recommend the Ac Freezer 64 PRO. And I mean really really. The one you have picked out does not compare by any standard. Look around for a cheap AC 64 pro, and you'll be so much happier. Don't skimp on this kind of thing, it really is essential.
:toast:

And as to the quick replies, thanks,thats why I'm part of this forum, cos they replied so quickly to me!

[quadomatic]

If the hard drive isn't failing, is it possible that my PC being extremely slow was caused by overheating?

Would I have to worry about my drive being brought closer to failure by running a diagnostic test? Should I just backup everything I need first using the USB enclosure I have, or should I just go ahead and run a diagnostics test over USB? I can't back anything up until I get a new fan, because I don't have any PC with enough space to back up everything I need (which is about 60 GB) as all I have lying around are laptops.

[theonetruewill]

If the hard drive isn't failing, is it possible that my PC being extremely slow was caused by overheating?

Would I have to worry about my drive being brought closer to failure by running a diagnostic test? Should I just backup everything I need first using the USB enclosure I have, or should I just go ahead and run a diagnostics test over USB? I can't back anything up until I get a new fan, because I don't have any PC with enough space to back up everything I need (which is about 60 GB) as all I have lying around are laptops.

Run the drivehealth test and tell me the results. Basically anything below 50 is not good.
If the cpu reaches those levels I know that intel chips thermally throttle (slow down) the chip to decrease the heat. I don't know if this is also with AMD cpu's but I suspect it might be. Generally nothing works well when its hot, but don't start worrying massively about backing things up. Backup the essential onto some DVD's or a Laptop. The diagnostic test will not kill your HDD unless it was literally going to blow up in the next day or two. It's not! Don't worry.:laugh:

[kwchang007]

theonetruewill, im going to have to disagree here. BACKUP YOUR DISK NOW!!!! there is nothing worse then losing your data, that's the most important thing on your computer, it's irreplacable. then you should go ahead and run a disk check. it would be easier to do this, download smart hd (or is it smart hard drive?) and check the SMART tab. i have had a hdd fail, the computer was slow beyond reason, espically when opening a folder, startup, shutdown, and had constant disk acess. if you have these problems....you really need to backup. also, make sure your hsf is making good contact and still has thermal paste. that and take it for a dusting of the hsf. oh and yes, i believe amd chips will slow down when you start to overheat.

[theonetruewill]

theonetruewill, i'm going to have to disagree here.
Thats going in my sig, :laugh:

[Wile E]

High pitched squealing can also come from the psu or certain components on on the mobo. Inspect the capacitors on the mobo to see if any are bulging or leaking, and also test with a different power supply if possible.

But kwchang is right. Back up your important data now, just to be safe.

[theonetruewill]

I did actually say backup the essential.

[Wile E]

I did actually say backup the essential.Eh, sorry. Guilty of skimming. lol

[theonetruewill]

No worries, but I suspect something more sinister might be a problem. That surge could have severely damaged crucial components ie motherboard, what do you think Wile? If it was powerful enough to destroy the PSU then it was a real big spike. Conclusion 1: get a good surge protected socket set.

[kwchang007]

I did actually say backup the essential.

woops there. HAHAHAHA i like your sig :) oh and yes my cpu will make a high pitched squeling noise, it's because of how many transistors etc it has on it.

[quadomatic]

Well, I can't back up anything right now, because I don't have the space to backup everything that needs to be backed up, until I get a new fan and install it so I can back stuff up to an 80 GB hard drive.

Also, I just took a flashlight and looked at my motherboard, and I don't see anything wrong with it. Before my brother installed the new PSU, he probably took a look at it too, because he thinks there's nothing wrong with the motherboard either.

Will the drive become any more closer to failure even though I'm not using the computer, that is if it is even going to fail. I think I'll run a diagnostic test over USB enclosure overnight, as it's still possible that the only reason it was going SO slow yesterday was because the CPU fan finally died. It also wasn't going slow with just opening a folder. I was trying to open a link and download something with firefox, and the download link wouldn't open.

[theonetruewill]

Well, I can't back up anything right now, because I don't have the space to backup everything that needs to be backed up, until I get a new fan and install it so I can back stuff up to an 80 GB hard drive.

Will the drive become any more closer to failure even though I'm not using the computer?

No but please tell us the results of the diagnostic test. If you don't understand them just post a screenshot of them. And Backup the ESSENTIAL NOW!

[Paulieg]

No. It will not be damaged any further if it's nor in use.

[theonetruewill]

No. It will not be damaged any further if it's nor in use.

Thanks for that confirmation I was only 95% sure of my answer there.:toast:

[kwchang007]

Well, I can't back up anything right now, because I don't have the space to backup everything that needs to be backed up, until I get a new fan and install it so I can back stuff up to an 80 GB hard drive.

Also, I just took a flashlight and looked at my motherboard, and I don't see anything wrong with it. Before my brother installed the new PSU, he probably took a look at it too, because he thinks there's nothing wrong with the motherboard either.

Will the drive become any more closer to failure even though I'm not using the computer?

no it will not. if i were you, when you back up do the following. disable page file (if it doesn't require reboot) disable prefetching, and anything you don't need on the computer. antivirus, firewall, kill it all and physically disconnect the internet while backing up.

[quadomatic]

Is an Arctic Cooling Alpine 64 an okay fan?

kwchang007: I was just going to back it up over USB, so I wouldn't worry about that but the only essentials I have is my music (13 GB) which I have no space for anywhere, or any blank DVDs, but most of my music is backed up onto DVDs somewhere...so I'm not going to bother.

Also, I don't think my hard drive is failing, since the only signs that my hard drive is failing is the noise and my PC going slow, both of which are explained by the CPU fan dying.

I'll go ahead and run a diagnostic test with Drive Health. Am I going to be limited by it being a trial?

[theonetruewill]

Is an Arctic Cooling Alpine 64 an okay fan?

Well, the only essentials I have is my music (13 GB) which I have no space for anywhere, or any blank DVDs, but most of my music is backed up onto DVDs somewhere...so I'm not going to bother.

Also, I don't think my hard drive is failing, since the only signs that my hard drive is failing is the noise and my PC going slow, both of which are explained by the CPU fan dying.

I'll go ahead and run a diagnostic test with Drive Health. Am I going to be limited by it being a trial?

Tell you what, get Notebook Hardware controls (http://www.p35-forum.de/files/nhc_2.0_pre_release_06.zip) (yes I love it Chang) install it. Go the Hardrive option and click on the show HDS.M.A.R.T.. Then tell us the results. As I've said anything below 50 ain't good.

As to the Alpine its ok....as in okok but , look get the better one and you'll be much happier in the long run!

EDIT: Also can you run HD Tach (http://www.simplisoftware.com/Public/index.php?request=HdTach#) and post your results as a screenshot.

[kwchang007]

Is an Arctic Cooling Alpine 64 an okay fan?

kwchang007: I was just going to back it up over USB, so I wouldn't worry about that but the only essentials I have is my music (13 GB) which I have no space for anywhere, or any blank DVDs, but most of my music is backed up onto DVDs somewhere...so I'm not going to bother.

Also, I don't think my hard drive is failing, since the only signs that my hard drive is failing is the noise and my PC going slow, both of which are explained by the CPU fan dying.

I'll go ahead and run a diagnostic test with Drive Health. Am I going to be limited by it being a trial?

any 3rd party cooling should be fine, unless something is dying (in your case the fan). if you have the original hsf, just install that (provided you have thermal paste) and run the test. otherwise, don't risk burning the cpu to test a hdd (yes the drive is important, but since you have all your stuff backed up you should be fine). and good job backing up everything before something happened.

@theonetruewill: I LOVE NHC TO. works with vista, and core 2 duo and does smart, outputs temps, everything i need. now only if it could control fan speed, it'd be my one laptop utility.

[theonetruewill]

I should just change my sig to "Whatever you're problem, get Notebook Hardware controls (http://www.p35-forum.de/files/nhc_2.0_pre_release_06.zip) and it'll probably be sorted"

Also, you need a sig Chang!
EDIT:And it does do fan speed. Find the ACPI part of it and see if it works for your machine.

Sorry for temp threadjacking!

[kwchang007]

I should just change my sig to "Whatever you're problem, get Notebook Hardware controls (http://www.p35-forum.de/files/nhc_2.0_pre_release_06.zip) and it'll probably be sorted"

Also, you need a sig Chang!
EDIT:And it does do fan speed. Find the ACPI part of it and see if it works for your machine.

Sorry for temp threadjacking!

so that's what the acpi thing is for...lol. no it's not working, it says it's not configured? oh and we should probably go jump to laptop overclocking thread :) stop the threadjacking, lol.

as for the purpose of this thread, i think we've covered about everything, so good luck quadomatic.

[zekrahminator]

Power supply AND motherboard, replace both and you'll be fine.

[theonetruewill]

Power supply AND motherboard, replace both and you'll be fine.

Zek, thats unfair. He's already said that he can't really go over $15 for the HSF. So a new mobo and PSU is out of the question.

EDIT: OH shit, disagreed with a mod! Aghhh hide!:p

[zekrahminator]

I basically just read the thread title, first couple sentences, and related to my own past experiences. I'm too lazy to read the rest of the thread :p.

When I had a high pitched whining noise, it was the power supply slow-roasting the motherboard, and the power supply dying. I replaced both, and then all was well.

[quadomatic]

Well, I already replaced the power supply (the computer wouldn't turn on after my PSU was shot). The whining noise didn't start right after I put in the new power supply, but maybe a week after.

In Notebook Hardware Controls, I can't find the HD Smart option. Can someone tell me where to find it? And will it work when I plug the drive in through USB? Does the test take very long to run?

[theonetruewill]

Well, I already replaced the power supply (the computer wouldn't turn on after my PSU was shot). The whining noise didn't start right after I put in the new power supply, but maybe a week after.

In Notebook Hardware Controls, I can't find the HD Smart option. Can someone tell me where to find it? And will it work when I plug the drive in through USB?

Sorry to get it working you have to go to settings and "show all NHC settings" (as its designed for laptops but is the greatest program on earth) then go to Hard disk tab and on the righ will be Show HD SMART

[kwchang007]

Well, I already replaced the power supply (the computer wouldn't turn on after my PSU was shot). The whining noise didn't start right after I put in the new power supply, but maybe a week after.

In Notebook Hardware Controls, I can't find the HD Smart option. Can someone tell me where to find it? And will it work when I plug the drive in through USB? Does the test take very long to run?

it's not a test. each hdd (modern) is equiped with SMART which is some anacronym. it basically tells you the status of your hdd, ex how many relocated sectors it has (problem i had), boot up time, etc and if these are worse than a certain value it says your hdd is dying. it's very accurate, however it won't warn of all problems. like let's say you're using a laptop on a train. you drop the laptop while the hdd is doing some serious stuff, head crash and a bsod. it won't tell you when that happens, lol.

[quadomatic]

Does the test take long to run and to select the drive plugged in through USB I would just select it from the drop down menu right? Would the results be strange since it's being done through USB?

[kwchang007]

Does the test take long to run and to select the drive plugged in through USB I would just select it from the drop down menu right? Would the results be strange since it's being done through USB?

nope. you need to select the hdd you think is dying though. and no it doesn't take long, the hdd should be keeping track. if you would like to know more about SMART go to wikipedia and search smart, and click on the one about hdd's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-Monitoring%2C_Analysis%2C_and_Reporting_Technology use that link. no need for you to do it yourself, lol.

[quadomatic]

So basically the program is just reading the data that the hard drive had been keeping track of all along?

[kwchang007]

So basically the program is just reading the data that the hard drive had been keeping track of all along?

yup. hdd's are getting more and more complex...hence the need for a better pcb. everyone really should have something monitoring smart on their comps, it can be a big lifesavior.

[quadomatic]

Should I get the Alpine 7 fan?:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186009

Or the Gigabyte Fan?:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835128007

And can I use preapplied thermal compound or should I buy Arctic Silver 5?:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

The Arctic-Cooling site says the Alpine fan has MX-1 paste pre-applied, so that should be fine right?

Crap, i'm confused, but does the Alpine 7 fit socket 754?

[anticlutch]

According to Newegg, it will fit into Socket 754 motherboards. Stick with the Arctic cooling though... the Gigabyte one looks kind of weak. And as for your question about the MX-1 paste, it should perform well enough. Arctic Silver 5 is still one of the best thermal compounds out but if you don't want to pay extra for it, the MX-1 is good enough :)

[quadomatic]

This is the fan I was using:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=929134&CatId=1187

Will the Alpine fan perform any better?

[Ripper3]

Should get around the same temperatures, maybe a little less. That fan moves more air, and the heatsink looks larger, but I didn't read any of the specs in detail

[quadomatic]

Is it possible that my fan isn't dying, and that the noise is coming about because the processor needs some thermal compound to be applied? Someone told me that it might be that the bearings in my HSF need grease...

And if this is the case, for now could I just apply some generic thermal compound that I have lying around, and within a week or so, pick up some Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound and apply that?

I got a VGA Silencer a while ago, and I know that it came with some thermal compound, but I'm not sure where to find it...