PC alarm

[chattykathy]

I have quite an old PC (it does me!) but lately an alarm has started sounding. It sounds a bit like a police siren (2 tones). I thought at first my PC must be overheating or something but this doesn't seem to be the case. Is it something serious? It's getting on my nerves because I have to keep switching off my PC.
Cheers

[Postdog]

I am no expert but the clue could be you said OLD PC. They all have an internal battery and it may be that this needs changing.

[Ethel]

Several possibilities - are you with AOL? If so, your 'buddies' can choose there own sounds to notify you when they log on.

Have you recently downloaded an antivirus / antitrojan/ antispyware program? These sometimes alert you when they block a virus or whatever.

Is there anything unusual when you boot your pc up? Any warnings or anything?

Do you keep on top of your security software and run regular scans? Could you possibly have a virus?

[ACtheTROLL]

mmmm odd
turn down the sound .... if it stops ... ethel is right - it's something in the o/s (98?)

if it continues ... two thoughts
1 - you are right ... it's overheating (My oldest machine beeps when it needs attention)

2 - Similar ... it could be the bearings on one(?) of your fans
depends if sounds LIKE a siren ... or just similar
3 - hard disc (would sound often but not constantly).... cd (only when using it).

failing that ... open the box and see if you can locate the source .

[kujawski]

does it do this prior to starting windows?, or when in windows?

[chattykathy]

Hi Folks
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question.
Here are my replies:

I'm not with AOL
Don't think I have a virus but do have spyware, ant virus stuff
There areno warnings when I boot up.
It happens after a period of using the PC, in Windows.
It DOES sound like a siren
& yes my hard drive is pretty full.

What should I do next?
Thanks again

[ACtheTROLL]

wot about turning the volume down? yes or no?
if yes ... the next option is download some spyware scanners ... or update and scan.

if no ... dig out your cleaning kit andopen the box

[chattykathy]

I'll check it out next time it happens.
Thanks again

[chattykathy]

Hi

It's sounding as I type & it doesn't alter when I turn the sound down. How do I go about cleaning the inside????

Better go before it blows up!
Cheers!

[ACtheTROLL]

If the volume control isn't controlling my first guess is it's the system (you still haven't said which system it is !!!!!!)

but ... windows allows you to alter the volume ....
the system board doesn't - so could be wrong ... but.

download http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php
install ...
use the temperature icon to see what's happening