Hi guys,
Ol Swez needs some advice on a computer diagnostics & repair. Here's the basics:
E-machine T1100
HDD: 5400 RPM, 20Gb (slow huh? SMILE)
RAM: 128Mb (Yea... puny)
Porcessor: P-4, 1.0GHz (Fan on CPU is OK)
Modem only: 56K
Power supply: 149 watts (yeah... puny huh, fan OK)
OS: Win XP Home
Approximate age: 5 years low useage, no more than a few hours per day. She cold boots each time.
Presenting issues:
When I got it from a friend, it had a Trojan Horse. Used AVG 7.1 from Grisoft to find and knock out the virus. It would run fine for about 20-30 minutes and then freeze up. Sometimes, the CPU usage climbed to 100% as IE 6.? was hogging all the processor time.
Can hear a "tick-tock, tick-tock" sound that repeats (ad-nausium)after the freeze and it seems to be coming from the HDD. The machine locks up tight, will not re-boot via any key strokes or mouse commands. The only way to reboot, is to unplug the power cord, let it sit for a few minutes and then try again... Now, it'll run maybe 15-20 minutes and the cycle repeats.
What is the likely culprit?
HDD crapping out?
Power supply going poop?
MOBO is defective?
Other?
Yes, I did re-format the HDD with the OEM copy of XP/Home to clear any unidentified bugs. Saved her favs and e-mail addys ect. This helped extend the operating time to over 1 hour before the big freeze comes again and locks things up. Again, the same sound from the HD is noted... "tick-tock", "tick-tock", "tick-tock", "tick-tock","tick-tock, tick-tock"...
Any sure fire diagnosis here? (Besides throwing it out, dismantle for parts or replace the whole thamn ding?) A replacement HD or PWR SPLY is about $40.00 a pop. If the MOBO is bad...out she goes.
Comments & suggestions much appreciated,
Swez
Replies (8)
Wampyre on 08/15/2006 19:19:29
Hey Swez,
I would test the power supply first. Always the easiest and first thing to do after a format. If thats fine, then you are on par with thinking its the Hard drive - find out who the manufacturer is. And go and get there diagnostic software from there website. You can also open up the computer and check the capacitors for any bubbling at all, the tops of them should be flat without and bulging - look near the power connector that connects to your power supply as well as the ones closest to your processsor.
Good luck.
Sean
swez on 08/15/2006 21:17:05
Hard Drive: Seagate ST320410A
Power Supply: Bestec ATX-1523D
In my experience with power supplies, they are either GO or NO GO in "most cases". As Caps age, they leak and change values. On start up mode, they perform poorly until they warm up. Once they are warmed up, they usually work OK.
I will check the power supply voltage rails as mentioned. Yes, we are only dealing with 12 and 5 volts DC voltages. Can do on that one by just tapping into the power supply plugs that feed the HDD.
FYI: This power supply is in a very tight spot and VERY challenging to extract or re-install. (I tried it already.... YIKES.. need 4 hands) It's also pretty well sealed in a metal box. I may be able to open and inspect it though.
Thanks for the rapid reply! I do appreciate it...
Swez
PS Not too familiar with you sir, but welcome to CK. Am one of the Senior Golds here and if you need some car audio helps, will be happy to accomodate. SMILE
MrBrownstone on 08/16/2006 02:31:45
Laugh if you must, but the geek squad (Best Buy) can help you. It's a 'Built for Best Buy' product, but I can't remember if it was Compaq or the other guys they sell there.
swez on 08/16/2006 10:24:15
Yes, this was a BB or CC deal and she cannot afford the "Geek Squad" services. These guys are mostly "swap jockies" and software de-bug guys.
Yes, some/most are probably very good at diagnostics and replacing suspect parts. Their in home/office rates range from $150.00 - 350.00 labor, plus parts. This computer is not worth more than $200.00 in parts or labor.
Tested the power supply and both rails, (12 & 5 volt DC) were rock solid. At boot up, both supply feeds were right on the button and remained there when the computer locked up again. (About 45 min test) This leads me to think the power supply is OK.
This also leads me to think the HDD is on it's way out. That "Tick-Tock" noise is probably the HDD heads as they get stuck and the HD tries to return the heads back to normal Read/Write or park locations, but cannot.
BTW, I did a google search for computer diagnostics and testing protocals. They all said the same thing... swap parts as needed to identify the root problem or device. That is, after all software checks are known to be correct and working properly. (Like a fresh re-install of the OS)
Comments from qualified Computer guys.... much apprciated. All others can sit on the side and sip your Cafe' Latte's.
Here, the goal is to rule out the working stuff, find the problem hardware and do a accurate fix, "on the cheap". The customer is a former g/f. She's recently been laid off and her computer is needed for job hunting. (darn good reason huh?)
Her funds are tight right now and I may wind up having to make a deal on payments. She can manage the parts OK. But the labor side may wind up as a "bartered" services swap... (A few free meals, free hours of labor for my projects or some other negotiable stuff???) Ehemmm!!! Wondering what that could be?
What's the going rate for a "full body" massage?
Swez
PS Look who's back in town??? Mr. B.... and watch out as he's probably pretty punchy from a week in "Lost Wages" and full of colorful commentaries too. (He's also so full of feces, his eyes are really dark brown by now too)
MrBrownstone on 08/16/2006 20:46:50
You try to help out, and I get this? :-)
swez on 08/16/2006 21:51:03
Well, bet a little, expect a small return. Bet more, and the ante goes up, the payoffs are bigger too... if you win the pot. The losses get bigger too.
Rest my case... ;-)
Swez
MrBrownstone on 08/17/2006 01:37:33
Swez
The only gamble you've taken recently is whether or not to put your glasses on before applying Preparation H and using Toothpaste.
HeyOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!
swez on 08/17/2006 13:38:21
That's good one B and I'll have to remember to use my specs when reaching for the Vick's Vaporub or KY jelly tube. Getting the wrong one could be a very bad thing eh?
Fortunately, I have learned to compensate and sort things quickly by color. If we know the color of each tube, don't need to read the lables.
How are your "ROIDS" doing after all that driving pal? hehe (snicker, chuckle and sneeze)
FYI: Never try to burp, fart, sneeze and cough all at the same time. If one does this... they are going die in short order.
Swez
PS Am gambling big on several fronts right now bubba. No, not playing for lunch money either. The stakes are much higher and so are the risks. But, if it pays off, the pot will be well worth the gamble.
Ol Swez needs some advice on a computer diagnostics & repair. Here's the basics:
E-machine T1100
HDD: 5400 RPM, 20Gb (slow huh? SMILE)
RAM: 128Mb (Yea... puny)
Porcessor: P-4, 1.0GHz (Fan on CPU is OK)
Modem only: 56K
Power supply: 149 watts (yeah... puny huh, fan OK)
OS: Win XP Home
Approximate age: 5 years low useage, no more than a few hours per day. She cold boots each time.
Presenting issues:
When I got it from a friend, it had a Trojan Horse. Used AVG 7.1 from Grisoft to find and knock out the virus. It would run fine for about 20-30 minutes and then freeze up. Sometimes, the CPU usage climbed to 100% as IE 6.? was hogging all the processor time.
Can hear a "tick-tock, tick-tock" sound that repeats (ad-nausium)after the freeze and it seems to be coming from the HDD. The machine locks up tight, will not re-boot via any key strokes or mouse commands. The only way to reboot, is to unplug the power cord, let it sit for a few minutes and then try again... Now, it'll run maybe 15-20 minutes and the cycle repeats.
What is the likely culprit?
HDD crapping out?
Power supply going poop?
MOBO is defective?
Other?
Yes, I did re-format the HDD with the OEM copy of XP/Home to clear any unidentified bugs. Saved her favs and e-mail addys ect. This helped extend the operating time to over 1 hour before the big freeze comes again and locks things up. Again, the same sound from the HD is noted... "tick-tock", "tick-tock", "tick-tock", "tick-tock","tick-tock, tick-tock"...
Any sure fire diagnosis here? (Besides throwing it out, dismantle for parts or replace the whole thamn ding?) A replacement HD or PWR SPLY is about $40.00 a pop. If the MOBO is bad...out she goes.
Comments & suggestions much appreciated,
Swez
Replies (8)
Wampyre on 08/15/2006 19:19:29
Hey Swez,
I would test the power supply first. Always the easiest and first thing to do after a format. If thats fine, then you are on par with thinking its the Hard drive - find out who the manufacturer is. And go and get there diagnostic software from there website. You can also open up the computer and check the capacitors for any bubbling at all, the tops of them should be flat without and bulging - look near the power connector that connects to your power supply as well as the ones closest to your processsor.
Good luck.
Sean
swez on 08/15/2006 21:17:05
Hard Drive: Seagate ST320410A
Power Supply: Bestec ATX-1523D
In my experience with power supplies, they are either GO or NO GO in "most cases". As Caps age, they leak and change values. On start up mode, they perform poorly until they warm up. Once they are warmed up, they usually work OK.
I will check the power supply voltage rails as mentioned. Yes, we are only dealing with 12 and 5 volts DC voltages. Can do on that one by just tapping into the power supply plugs that feed the HDD.
FYI: This power supply is in a very tight spot and VERY challenging to extract or re-install. (I tried it already.... YIKES.. need 4 hands) It's also pretty well sealed in a metal box. I may be able to open and inspect it though.
Thanks for the rapid reply! I do appreciate it...
Swez
PS Not too familiar with you sir, but welcome to CK. Am one of the Senior Golds here and if you need some car audio helps, will be happy to accomodate. SMILE
MrBrownstone on 08/16/2006 02:31:45
Laugh if you must, but the geek squad (Best Buy) can help you. It's a 'Built for Best Buy' product, but I can't remember if it was Compaq or the other guys they sell there.
swez on 08/16/2006 10:24:15
Yes, this was a BB or CC deal and she cannot afford the "Geek Squad" services. These guys are mostly "swap jockies" and software de-bug guys.
Yes, some/most are probably very good at diagnostics and replacing suspect parts. Their in home/office rates range from $150.00 - 350.00 labor, plus parts. This computer is not worth more than $200.00 in parts or labor.
Tested the power supply and both rails, (12 & 5 volt DC) were rock solid. At boot up, both supply feeds were right on the button and remained there when the computer locked up again. (About 45 min test) This leads me to think the power supply is OK.
This also leads me to think the HDD is on it's way out. That "Tick-Tock" noise is probably the HDD heads as they get stuck and the HD tries to return the heads back to normal Read/Write or park locations, but cannot.
BTW, I did a google search for computer diagnostics and testing protocals. They all said the same thing... swap parts as needed to identify the root problem or device. That is, after all software checks are known to be correct and working properly. (Like a fresh re-install of the OS)
Comments from qualified Computer guys.... much apprciated. All others can sit on the side and sip your Cafe' Latte's.
Here, the goal is to rule out the working stuff, find the problem hardware and do a accurate fix, "on the cheap". The customer is a former g/f. She's recently been laid off and her computer is needed for job hunting. (darn good reason huh?)
Her funds are tight right now and I may wind up having to make a deal on payments. She can manage the parts OK. But the labor side may wind up as a "bartered" services swap... (A few free meals, free hours of labor for my projects or some other negotiable stuff???) Ehemmm!!! Wondering what that could be?
What's the going rate for a "full body" massage?
Swez
PS Look who's back in town??? Mr. B.... and watch out as he's probably pretty punchy from a week in "Lost Wages" and full of colorful commentaries too. (He's also so full of feces, his eyes are really dark brown by now too)
MrBrownstone on 08/16/2006 20:46:50
You try to help out, and I get this? :-)
swez on 08/16/2006 21:51:03
Well, bet a little, expect a small return. Bet more, and the ante goes up, the payoffs are bigger too... if you win the pot. The losses get bigger too.
Rest my case... ;-)
Swez
MrBrownstone on 08/17/2006 01:37:33
Swez
The only gamble you've taken recently is whether or not to put your glasses on before applying Preparation H and using Toothpaste.
HeyOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!
swez on 08/17/2006 13:38:21
That's good one B and I'll have to remember to use my specs when reaching for the Vick's Vaporub or KY jelly tube. Getting the wrong one could be a very bad thing eh?
Fortunately, I have learned to compensate and sort things quickly by color. If we know the color of each tube, don't need to read the lables.
How are your "ROIDS" doing after all that driving pal? hehe (snicker, chuckle and sneeze)
FYI: Never try to burp, fart, sneeze and cough all at the same time. If one does this... they are going die in short order.
Swez
PS Am gambling big on several fronts right now bubba. No, not playing for lunch money either. The stakes are much higher and so are the risks. But, if it pays off, the pot will be well worth the gamble.
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