Computer problem

[Lakeslass]

I need either an ABer or a six-year-old. My computer tower is making noises which I can only describe as "struggling". It's a sort of double buzzing sound as though it is trying to open something which it can't open. I know this sounds like nonsense but does anyone know what I mean and if so can you help?

[stevie21]

Maybe the fan's got something stuck in it.
Or perhaps your hard drive is about to die. If you open your PC up and it sounds more like the latter that's making the noise then I'd backup all your much loved files asap.

[Lakeslass]

thankyou, stevie1. Is there a quick way of backing up all my files? Incidentally I've only had this particular computer for a few months, and the guru who sold it to me is in hospital hence my cry for help to the AB. Thankyou again.

[qapmoc]

Interesting description you have there, just goes to show how much the internet is lacking in sound facilities, anyway -this does sound like the fan might be the problem, what you should do first is actually listen around the casing and try to decide where the sound is coming from, if its at the back somewhere that the warm air comes then its probably fan trouble, if its inside and you dont want to open the casing maybe you should at least run ''scandisk'' to check out the hard drive for possible errors and then take it to somebody for assistance.
Scandisk should be in : Programs - Accessories -System tools

[stevie21]

If your computer has a DVD writer then you can save things like "My Pictures" etc. to it.
I'd open the case up and nosey about to see exactly what the problem is. If you jam something into the fan to stop it spinning and the noise disappears (sophisitcated way of checking, I know) then you know what's broken.
If it sounds like it's coming from the hard drive then that's more serious.

Do you have 2 hard drives or one?
Have you opened the case yet and listened?

[Lakeslass]

I'm feeling more and more stupid. Thankyou both for your advice but think I will wait for my chap to come out of hospital. I had a listen, probably looked very odd doing it, and the sound did seem to come from towards the back. The air coming out of the back is just slightly warm, certainly not hot. Is this OK?

As for whether I have one hard drive or two - this is me you're talking to I'm afraid. I've only just come to terms with owning a computer, although this is the third one. I don't seem to progress much.

It's a bit like my car - if it doesn't behave perfectly when I switch it on then I need serious help.

I really am most grateful to you.

Thankyou.