Since 3/4 of OTers are computer geniuses (aka nerdlingers) will somebody PLEASE tell me what's wrong with this piece of shit?
Gradually over the last few months, every time I go to certain sites, hotmail, youtube, google mostly, the motor in the hard drive revs up like a jet about to
take off. Each site like this operates agonizingly(sp) slowly. It's like the puter freezes for a couple seconds. I can't watch youtube videos at
all. The audio mostly keeps running, but stalls every few seconds, and the video is jerky and freezes too.
I've taken the computer apart and cleaned any dust off of the fans (I usually do this every so often anyway). I've virus and spyware checked, deleted
all the garbage files, and the hard drive is less than 50% full.
What I am thinking is that maybe the memory is full. I don't know how to check this.
How do I check the memory storage AND what else causes this?
Supergeniuses UNITE.
WHAT is wrong with my computer?
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 Penelope McBagpipe |
WHAT is wrong with my computer? |
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Posts: 2877 (06/21/08 6:30 PM) Geenyus extraordinaire
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 ScruffyGuy |
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Posts: 8202 (06/21/08 6:38 PM) Registered User |
What I am thinking is that maybe the memory is full. I don't know how to check this. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh, man. That's just PRICELESS.
Is it making a HORRIBLE, DEATHLY sound? Grinding and futzing like an old oscillating fan that takes twenty minutes to warm up? 'Cause that's what mine is doing. It started five months ago, then went back to normal operation for about three months, now it's doing it again but only for half an hour each time I resume Windows or boot up from a full power-down. Also cleaned out the inside to no avail. It's just dying. Repairing it will cost nearly as much as a new laptop. But don't worry. If my PC explodes, I have another one right here, so I won't miss even a single moment online with all you wonderful people. |
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IndifferentCow |
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Posts: 1387 (06/21/08 6:43 PM) Huge apathy
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Do you defrag? Delete as much as you can...then defrag. It will tell you how much free space you have.
Sounds like you're over heating and the pc is trying to cool down Also an excellent program is "trojan remover" Link if you had anything that will find it. |
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Penelope McBagpipe |
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Posts: 2878 (06/21/08 6:45 PM) Geenyus extraordinaire
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! What's so fucking funny? I don't know man. I don't work in I.T. This thing has been working like a top since I've got it, so obviously in the last few months it's pissed off about SOMETHING. I have never defragged. I have however "defagged" by ignoring Scruffy's PMs. |
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Bernard Wrangler |
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Posts: 8588 (06/21/08 6:46 PM) this won't end well.
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you may need to reverse polarization. run some magnets over it and A OK.
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Zzunk |
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Posts: 3575 (06/21/08 6:46 PM) Registered User |
The problem is not the memory. It's probably developing (accumulating) an excess of positive magnetic charges (happens to anything plugged in). Usually
static electricity discharges the excess protons, but that happens less in the spring and summer when humidity increases. The best way to demagnetize (or
neutralize) the computer is to purchase an industrial grade magnet and put it inside the computer case, preferably next to the hard drive, which is one of the
few moving parts in the computer. If you think the problem is a reoccurring one, then get two magnets (ask the geeky guy at the computer store where to buy
them). Install 'em, then set your computer to defrag overnight and by morning, viola' its all cleaned up!!
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MouthbreathingDemonPiglet |
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Posts: 96 (06/21/08 6:47 PM) |
Clear your cache, skankes.
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IndifferentCow |
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Posts: 1390 (06/21/08 6:48 PM) Huge apathy
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1. Open My Computer.
2. Right-click the local disk volume that you want to defragment, and then click Properties. 3. On the Tools tab, click Defragment Now. 4. Click Defragment Close all open applications while doing this or it takes forever, have you tried system restore? |
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ThumpusMagnus |
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Posts: 1191 (06/21/08 6:51 PM) MESS member |
It would help to know the specs of the computer you're using... operating system (I'm assuming Windows XP until informed otherwise), RAM memory, size
of hard drive and % of free space, processor, etc.
My first thought is that what you're hearing isn't actually the hard drive... it's a fan. Either the main fan that's part of the power supply unit, or the CPU fan that sits directly over the CPU chip. Many websites today have a lot of streaming or "active" content, which puts a higher load on the CPU, making it run hotter. This will cause the CPU fan to rev up to keep it from overheating. How to check your Operating sytem and amount of RAM memory: right-click "My computer" and select "Properties" On the "General" tab, it will tell you the operating system (Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack SP2 in my case), processor (Pentium 4 3.00 Ghz in my case), and amount of RAM (2.00 GB in my case) How to check your memory usage (albeit somewhat indirectly...) Bring up the task manager (ALT-CTRL-DEL) while your typical mix of applications are running. Having at least one tab running one of the websites that has been giving you problems will be useful here. On mine, this usually includes 1 or 2 browser windows, email software, and sometimes PhotoShop or AC/DC image management. Select the "Performance" tab. There will be a graph showing CPU usage and Page File usage. The CPU usage will be a good indication of whether or not you're overloading the processor. The Page File usage will be a good indicator of if you're exceeding the capacity of your RAM memory. (ETA: The Physical memory/Available data as Bob2559 pointed out is a more direct method. The paging caused by lack of memory will cause more activity on the HD, slowing things down, as well as helping to generate even more heat) If the CPU usage is high, you may need a faster CPU, if the Page File usage is high, add more RAM memory. That should be a good starting point. (I'm hoping that it doesn't violate any OT TOS to actually try to be helpful instead of going for the smartass trophy) ;)
Last Edited By: ThumpusMagnus
06/21/08 7:04 PM.
Edited 1 times.
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Hamdingers |
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Posts: 9041 (06/21/08 6:52 PM) |
It sounds like a gas leak from the primer that keeps the heating coils active. Get out of the house. Seriously.
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bob2559 |
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Posts: 5321 (06/21/08 6:55 PM) Registered user |
Penelope McBagpipe wrote: ctrl-alt-del to open task manager, then click on the performance tab. Look for Physical Memory and check the available amount. |
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ScruffyGuy |
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Posts: 8203 (06/21/08 6:56 PM) Registered User |
1) I sent you ONE goofy PM in probably about the last year -- so don't go trying to pretend that I communicate with you frequently. I can start if you
like, though.
2) Memory doesn't get full as such. You can have programs that are memory hogs, which can cause slow-downs. Memory is usually swapped out as needed and hard disk space is used if system resources get low, though hard disk space is also used constantly in conjunction with physical RAM. 3) You didn't answer: is it making a horrible, dying, squealing, grinding noise? 'Cause that's big trouble. If yes, there may be little you can do outside of replacing the hard disk or internal fan -- either one can cause those noises. 4) If it is NOT making that kind of noise, then do what others have suggested: get yourself a good program to scan for crap on your PC. Remove unnecessary start up programs. Do a defrag. System Restore. 5) Kiss me. Hard and deep. |
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Jakob Speed |
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Posts: 1387 (06/21/08 6:59 PM) Registered User |
pee pee's pages...
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NlGHTCRAWLER |
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Posts: 16585 (06/21/08 7:02 PM) >: | |
Ignore Scruff, PeePee, but be thankful that he kept his response to less then 45 paragraphs.
ANYWAY - first, in Windows Explorer, right click on your C drive and click PROPERTIES. Choose TOOLS and run Disk Cleanup. Then, do as Cow said and defrag (do so overnight, and turn off your screensaver). The following day, use IE and go to http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/ and run the online scan. You may have spyware or a Trojan that you're not aware of, or that your antivirus may have missed. It will slow your system down. If none of those suggestions work, and your computer is older and making noises, then more than likely, it is dying. Mine has been slowing down too lately. |
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Zzunk |
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Posts: 3579 (06/21/08 7:06 PM) Registered User |
Thumpus and NC are sending you on a wild goose chase. Jes sayin'
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ThumpusMagnus |
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Posts: 1192 (06/21/08 7:09 PM) MESS member |
Zzunk wrote: How so? Please elaborate...
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IndifferentCow |
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Posts: 1394 (06/21/08 7:10 PM) Huge apathy
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Neither, maybe just a little to much info.
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ThumpusMagnus |
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Posts: 1193 (06/21/08 7:12 PM) MESS member |
IndifferentCow wrote: Riiiiiight... holding back potentially useful or helpful information is always preferable when trying to offer tech support indirectly... |
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Zzunk |
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Posts: 3580 (06/21/08 7:13 PM) Registered User |
Thumpus is more nerdy than I thought. Go back and read my post that preceded yours.
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ThumpusMagnus |
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Posts: 1194 (06/21/08 7:16 PM) MESS member |
Zzunk wrote: That's probably true.
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IndifferentCow |
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Posts: 1395 (06/21/08 7:27 PM) Huge apathy
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No offense meant, I was trying to say start simple...not with hold info. Sheesh
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