[thelist] Yikes! Misbehaving machine - please help.

Chris Blessing webguy at mail.rit.edu
Tue Jun 18 13:17:01 CDT 2002


Marc-

Sounds like a shot motherboard, specifically a shot IDE controller!  Could
be a messed up power supply too, actually I'd say that's more likely than
the motherboard (unless you recently indulged your computer with an ample
supply of CocaCola). ;)

Chris Blessing
webguy at mail.rit.edu
http://www.330i.net


> I've got a slight problem guys. Computer froze up on me earlier
> today. Now it's giving all manner or annoying problems. Here are
> what I think are the major symptoms:
>
> - CD drive opening and closing of its own accord, particularly
> while starting up/shutting down.
> - Computer failing to boot up - freezing on the Dell screen -
> intermittently.
> - CD drive making a very loud buzzing noise, and recently, a sort
> of grating, as of gears gnashing together. Buzzing sounds like
> something spinning in overdrive, and continues for anywhere from
> 10 - 60 seconds before it spins down.
> - CD drive is inaccessible. Unresponsive to open button also.
> CD-RW was also not appearing in Windows Explorer, although it was
> opening and closing on demand.
> - Attempting to open Windows Explorer last time caused system to
> hang while apparently looking for drives.
> - During one attempt to run virus scan, when monitor powered off,
> was unable to wake it back up - hard drive light was still
> spinning. Had to power off computer.
>
> hmm. Typing it makes it sound so much worse.
> It's a Dell Win2k box. I've powered it off now, and am using my
> laptop. Any/all help is most appreciated. I will tip later. Promise.
>
> regards.
> -marc




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