I have a problem with my pc in that it keeps crashing daily. I have it on most of the day for work. Basically I can be working away in various programs (Word, Fronotpage, Photoshop etc) and it will come up with a message telling me that I have performed an illegal operation and I must close. After this I usually re-boot in the hopes of clearing it (by shutting down and starting up again). It often runs scan disk at this point. This can happen 2-3 times a day at the moment.

Also, it will sometimes insist on running scan disk when I try to shut it down. Also, when I start up in the morning, the box is starting to make this strange moaning noise, which stops once it has set up.

I have cleared out my temporary files and my recyled bin. I have 60% free memory. I am running Windows 95 and have never had problems like this until about a month ago. The computer is 3 years old. Please help! Is it all going to go bang on me??!!

Also, when I start up in the morning, the box is starting to make this strange moaning noise, which stops once it has set up.



Can you elaborate a little about the noise?

Can you localize it to any one area of the computer?

Also a little more info about the system, brand, cpu (brand and speed), how much memory, etc.

I'm also going to go say that you could have a fan failing (power supply or CPU cooling fan) and quite possibly the errors are heat related because of the fan failure, you could also have a failing hard drive, if that is where the noise is coming from.....

So try to pin-point where the noise is coming from and post back.


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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

Vive diu prosperaque!

Thanks for your quick reply. Yes the noise is coming from the hard drive. It only happens first thing in the morning when I start my computer up for the first time. Even if I re-boot during the day it doesn't make this noise. The noise ends once start up has completed.

It comes from the hard drive but I could not really pin point any closer than that. It sounds painful! A whirring, moaning noise really - I don't really know how else to describe it.

As to memory etc. I have 64MB of RAM which is 49% free (just checked!) and it is 32-bit. I have a pentium 2 processor and the whole thing is just over 3 years old.

Can't think of anything else to tell you. Hope it helps. Look forward to hearing your opinion, I am not sure whether I should be worried or not.

Anna

Here is a general Troubleshooting (http://www.pcguide.com/ts/index.htm) that may help pinpoint the source.

I would backup your important data and prepare a poosible hard drive replacement.

Illegal Operation errors are usually either a RAM problem (seemingly random and in many different programs and dlls) or a corrupted dll (could be in many programs if it is the same dll that is used by them) the error message should say which dll is the problem...

Running scandisk should help identify if there is a problem with the drive.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

Vive diu prosperaque!

Welcome, anna! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

If you're comfortable with opening the case, you may be able to pin-point the source of the noise better.
With fans and moving air inside the case, the sound can travel and fool you sometimes.

Open it after it's been off all night, then power up. Press a finger to the side of the hard drive.
If you feel vibrations in sych with the "moaning", and they stop when it does, you'll know for sure.

If not, watch the cooling fan on the P-II. It's not unusual for one to die after three years.
May be a little harder to get at and service, but lots cheaper than a hard drive. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

Could also be a fan with a dirty spindle, I have one that does that, but only if it sits long enough for the fan to cool to room temperature.

And while you're in there, clean the dust out of the case. Dust contributes to heat and impedes air circulation.

I agree to back up any important data and get ready for the possibility of a dying hard drive.




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So many idiots, and only six bullets...
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thanks for all the advise, I shall try and be brave and look in the box! Will post back if anything develops

Anna