Sick Computer

[juner]

I am helping an elderly lady with her computer and she has had the Dell machine for about three years and has had a new Battery six months ago. All of a sudden it has started making alarm sounds when starting up and is very very slow to get started. Temporary folders etc. have been cleared out and some unused programs uninstalled but it is no better. Could the Hard Drive be on the way out? Any suggestions would be appreciated thanks.

[Ethel]

I think it could be a clogged fan. Unplug the machine and open the case up - you should be able to see the fan.

If you google for 'clean pc fan' you will find plenty of sites that show you how to do it. A can of compressed air will be very useful.

[juner]

Thanks Ethel you are a whizz - will try it and I think you are probably right.

[ACtheTROLL]

A new battery????????
laptop or desktop? .... after (then) 21/2 years....

either way ... unless it's an exceptionaly unusual fault .... it sounds to me as if your little old lady has been taken advantage of.
I can count on the fingers of one thumb the number of batteries I've changed this year (the machine was at least 6 years old)

personally I favour a soft brissle brush....
a new can of air will often spit propellant (also if you shake it about or use it at an angle) ... they also tend to rapidly cool the air and components which can lead to condensation forming.

but ... if you must ... wear safety glasses 'cause a lump of muck accelerated by a jet of compressed air travels much faster than you'd think ...and feels more like a brick if it hits your eye.

as a matter of interest ... we've banned the stuff ... partly for the reasons above ... but also .. left on the passenger seat in direct sunlight ... a can of air will take out your windscreen quicker than a quick fit fitter!

[juner]

Thanks ACtheTroll I will try your method first as I am prone to unusual happenings and I can just see it falling on a hot rad and blowing the windows out!
Thanks for the tip.