Author Topic: Somewhat OT: Feed computer acting up - hard drive?  (Read 9815 times)

Offline KSYR-pjr

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Somewhat OT: Feed computer acting up - hard drive?
« on: April 28, 2008, 02:30:42 PM »
Here's an open question to the forum members, since most of you are techies as well -

Does the following problem sound like a hard drive in its early stages of death?  Or is this something else?

The laptop running my feed (KSYR), which is an older Dell Latitude C800 (circa 2000, 500 MHz PIII processor, 256Mb RAM), has just started to exhibit a very intermittent problem.  Once out of every five or so reboots the computer will lock up before the BIOS information is even displayed.  The hard drive light during these lock-ups remains illuminated.  One to five power button off cycles later the computer finally reboots successfully. 

I found a couple of vendors online who sell hard drive replacements for these laptops but before I spend the cash I wanted to be sure the problem is hard drive related.  Any input is appreciated.

Thanks.







Offline Jason

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Re: Somewhat OT: Feed computer acting up - hard drive?
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2008, 03:18:24 PM »
I'm no professional, but it sure doesn't sound good, Peter.  Of all the HD issues I've had as a PC user, I've never seen that happen but it certainly doesn't look promising.

Offline KSYR-pjr

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Re: Somewhat OT: Feed computer acting up - hard drive?
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2008, 04:07:09 PM »
It figures, doesn't it?  Just when I thought the feed was bulletproof. 

Offline Biff

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Re: Somewhat OT: Feed computer acting up - hard drive?
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2008, 04:21:36 PM »
Generally, the BIOS comes up before the HD.  Can you remove the HD and boot it a bunch of times to see if you can replicate the problem?  The BIOS should at least come up and complain about no boot disk or some such.  I think.

For strange problems like that, SOP is to open up the case, blow it out with compressed air as best as you can, then reseat everything that can be reseated - connectors, cables, cards, chips, etc.   Then wave a dead chicken around the room and boot it up.

Offline KSYR-pjr

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Re: Somewhat OT: Feed computer acting up - hard drive?
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2008, 04:23:47 PM »
LOL (on the chicken part).  :) :)

Sounds like a plan, Biff.  I'll give that a try when I get home later this week.

What about the CMOS battery?  If that were dying/dead, would that give off a symptom like this? 

Offline tyketto

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Re: Somewhat OT: Feed computer acting up - hard drive?
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2008, 06:22:00 PM »
LOL (on the chicken part).  :) :)

Sounds like a plan, Biff.  I'll give that a try when I get home later this week.

What about the CMOS battery?  If that were dying/dead, would that give off a symptom like this? 

if the CMOS battery were an issue, you'd hear some sort of alarm beeps coming from the machine prior to it POSTing at the BIOS. I'm not sure if Dell has this happen on their machines. But a good way to check is to go into the BIOS and check for the time. If it has reset to something other than the current time of the day, the battery may have an issue, or it may be something bigger. Are there any temperature sensor settings in the BIOS to show you what the temp of the machine, the CPU, etc. are? Most modern day BIOSes should have them.

BL.

Offline KSYR-pjr

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Re: Somewhat OT: Feed computer acting up - hard drive?
« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2008, 07:04:55 PM »
Thanks, BL.  I don't think there are temperature sensors as the BIOS is probably 2002 or so, but I will look. Also, I will do the time check test to see if that shows a weak battery. 

After posting here I did some more extensive research around the web and there are a lot of discussions about computers failing to boot past the BIOS being caused by dust creating shorts across the mobo.  Therefore the idea of taking it apart and blowing it out seems to be right on target as well. 

Offline Squawk 7700

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Re: Somewhat OT: Feed computer acting up - hard drive?
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2008, 07:37:14 PM »
I've seen older computers usually failing due to something related to the power supply in desktops or in your case a laptop's power circuitry. If you have peripherals connected, try disconnecting any non-essential ones. Sometimes I've seen those cause startup problems. Finally, yes, the hard drive may be failing too. They don't last forever and I seen these fail next to the power supply. Could be a combination of things causing your intermittent problem. I'm leaning toward a power related problem. Good luck. Hopefully others can give you some ideas.  :|
And yes, I would get that chicken too!
« Last Edit: April 28, 2008, 07:39:44 PM by Squawk 7700 »

Offline JALTO

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Re: Somewhat OT: Feed computer acting up - hard drive?
« Reply #8 on: April 28, 2008, 08:44:07 PM »
I've worked on the older Dell's and IBM's at the day job.  There could also be something failing on your system board also known as the mother board. 

Some things to check for when troubleshooting:

Usually if you can't get to the "beep" during startup which is known as posting then its a system board issue. 
If you can get to the beep but the HD is failing then the bios would display a message stating either "operating system not found", "no bootable partion", "please insert system disk" etc...I would also agree with the other post about removing the hard drive...reseat the connection to the HD and the chicken never hurts either. 

Shoot me a PM if you need have additional questions about the system.

-Jalto

Offline KSYR-pjr

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Re: Somewhat OT: Feed computer acting up - hard drive?
« Reply #9 on: April 29, 2008, 08:47:41 AM »
Thanks Jalto and Squawk for the input.  Some more good ideas that I will be considering this coming weekend when I am back home to troubleshoot. 

If I have any other questions I will take you up on your offer and send you a PM, Jalto.  Appreciate it.