More computer headaches

montypython · Post by **montypython** » 2008-02-24 02:45pm

I just got a new hard drive to replace one that was failing, installed and ran it, tested both hd drive on the computer to make certain all the hd drives were working, which they tested out fine.

However, for some reason the light on the CD burner in my machine goes on and a click sound occurs simulatenously, which may happen several times before the computer freezes and goes blank. What could be the reason for this?

Ariphaos · Post by **Ariphaos** » 2008-02-24 06:09pm

Try disconnecting your cd burner and see if it still freezes.

montypython · Post by **montypython** » 2008-02-25 10:55am

Xeriar wrote:Try disconnecting your cd burner and see if it still freezes.

After disconnecting the cd burner, also swapping out the burner for another one that works, it turns out that the burners are working. I then ran the computer with the covers off to isolate the noise source, the noise seems to be coming from either the power supply or the CPU fan, both are aligned close to each other. The computer still blanks out and/or freezes when its for a while, but it doesn't shut off.

SCRawl · Post by **SCRawl** » 2008-02-25 12:28pm

montypython wrote:
Xeriar wrote:Try disconnecting your cd burner and see if it still freezes.
After disconnecting the cd burner, also swapping out the burner for another one that works, it turns out that the burners are working. I then ran the computer with the covers off to isolate the noise source, the noise seems to be coming from either the power supply or the CPU fan, both are aligned close to each other. The computer still blanks out and/or freezes when its for a while, but it doesn't shut off.

If trying to isolate the noise, stop the CPU fan with your finger for a second or two. That'll narrow it down.

Vertigo1 · Post by **Vertigo1** » 2008-02-25 02:33pm

SCRawl wrote:
montypython wrote:
Xeriar wrote:Try disconnecting your cd burner and see if it still freezes.
After disconnecting the cd burner, also swapping out the burner for another one that works, it turns out that the burners are working. I then ran the computer with the covers off to isolate the noise source, the noise seems to be coming from either the power supply or the CPU fan, both are aligned close to each other. The computer still blanks out and/or freezes when its for a while, but it doesn't shut off.
If trying to isolate the noise, stop the CPU fan with your finger for a second or two. That'll narrow it down.

Use a brush (meaning stop it with the bristles, not the handle) instead of your fingers. You could potentially break a blade using your finger.

montypython · Post by **montypython** » 2008-03-02 05:41pm

After going through several more system and component tests, it seems that the problem may be related to the motherboard and the HD/IDE system, but as the drives themselves all tested fine and having swapped two IDE cables, I'm thinking that it might be the mobo IDE controller, or less likely a possible hard drive conflict.

Uraniun235 · Post by **Uraniun235** » 2008-03-02 06:01pm

Vertigo1 wrote:Use a brush (meaning stop it with the bristles, not the handle) instead of your fingers. You could potentially break a blade using your finger.

Dunno about you guys, but if I'm stopping a fan spinning at several thousand RPM with my finger, I'm going to push on the center and slow it through friction rather than jam my finger into the blade. I'd rather not get blood all over the innards of my computer.

SCRawl · Post by **SCRawl** » 2008-03-02 06:35pm

Uraniun235 wrote:
Vertigo1 wrote:Use a brush (meaning stop it with the bristles, not the handle) instead of your fingers. You could potentially break a blade using your finger.
Dunno about you guys, but if I'm stopping a fan spinning at several thousand RPM with my finger, I'm going to push on the center and slow it through friction rather than jam my finger into the blade. I'd rather not get blood all over the innards of my computer.

Well, that was what I had in mind when I suggested it. Maybe I've been using different fans from youse guys, but all of the CPU fans I've ever looked at for this purpose -- all from P2-P3 systems -- couldn't cut butter, much less my fingers. The blades are very light, and fairly blunt. Are (relatively) new CPU fans a little more dangerous? I don't feel like taking my correctly operating system apart just to have a look for myself.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2008-03-02 07:11pm

SCRawl wrote:
Uraniun235 wrote:
Vertigo1 wrote:Use a brush (meaning stop it with the bristles, not the handle) instead of your fingers. You could potentially break a blade using your finger.
Dunno about you guys, but if I'm stopping a fan spinning at several thousand RPM with my finger, I'm going to push on the center and slow it through friction rather than jam my finger into the blade. I'd rather not get blood all over the innards of my computer.
Well, that was what I had in mind when I suggested it. Maybe I've been using different fans from youse guys, but all of the CPU fans I've ever looked at for this purpose -- all from P2-P3 systems -- couldn't cut butter, much less my fingers. The blades are very light, and fairly blunt. Are (relatively) new CPU fans a little more dangerous? I don't feel like taking my correctly operating system apart just to have a look for myself.

My Volcano fan looks like it's made out of metal, and sounds like I've got a hemi engine in their, right now I waiting on the last componet a new motherboard....

loomer · Post by **loomer** » 2008-03-02 07:25pm

CPU fans really aren't that bad. I've accidentally stuck my finger in them way too much, but never even drawn blood. They stop at the first sign of resistance to keep them blowing out, I think.

Post by **Beowulf** » 2008-03-02 08:35pm

I can spin a 120mm fan fast enough that if the blades hit my finger, it'll draw blood. This is no where near the speed the fan can mange itself. It's not that the fan has alot of power, but rather the kinetic energy of the spinning fan is enough that it can break the skin.

montypython · Post by **montypython** » 2008-03-11 11:49pm

The problem seems to have been cause by a bad power supply, just replaced it with a new heavy duty PS and the PC seems to be running smoothly now without hiccups. Intermittent current from a defective PS apparently can be a major problem, hadn't realized how much so until now.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2008-03-12 09:00pm

montypython wrote:The problem seems to have been cause by a bad power supply, just replaced it with a new heavy duty PS and the PC seems to be running smoothly now without hiccups. Intermittent current from a defective PS apparently can be a major problem, hadn't realized how much so until now.

yeah, I wish I had realized that a few hundred dollars ago.

yeah, I could have bought a whole new machine on what I spent on powersupply, mega huge CPU fan, new CPU and still awaiting the new motherboard....