Quote:
|
I don't want the comp to crash again! Thre's soo much stuff on it. as long as I dn't turn it off it's good
|
It sounds like your hard drive is failing. I would immediately backup any data you do not want lost. This is often easiest by installing the hard drive into another computer as a secondary (
NOT boot) drive, or in an external drive enclosure attached to another PC, then copy your data to that computer.
Then I recommend you run the
Hard Drive Diagnostics for your drive. You will need to know the drive maker. Note that Maxtor is now part of Seagate.
Also note that sudden system crashes can also be caused by a weak or failing power supply, failing RAM, heat, failing motherboard, failing graphics card, or malware.
How long has it been running "slow as a snail"? Have you scanned for malware?
Is the interior of the case clean of heat trapping dust and dirt? If it has been awhile since you checked, you need to power down, UNPLUG the computer from the wall, pop the side panel, and
look inside, then clean if necessary. Make
sure to eliminate the possibility of ESD damage by discharging any static in your body
BEFORE reaching inside the case. Do this by touching the bare metal of the case first, and frequently while digging inside. Understand that a static discharge so small, below the threshold of human awareness, is more than enough to destroy electrostatic discharge sensitive devices, such as CPUs and memory chips. Staying in contact with the bare metal case puts you and the sensitive devices at the same floating ground "potential". If there is no "difference in potential", there can be no sparks.
Give each fan a small flick to ensure they spin freely. Inspect the motherboard for bulging or leaking electrolytic capacitors. These failed or failing capacitors are a common cause of sudden, but seemingly random system lock ups and reboots. The capacitors look like tall soda cans, many of which surround the CPU socket.
All older motherboards, and many of today's less expensive motherboards use electrolytic capacitors containing a
liquid electrolyte. Failing (including flawed and/or abused/over-heated) capacitors literally bulge at the seams due to excessive internal pressures. Extreme (and very rare) cases result in a firecracker type explosion that can really stink up a room. Typically, electrolyte just
oozes from the pressure relief points stamped in the tops of the capacitor casings (seen as a symbol or letter). The electrolyte can be caustic to motherboards and flesh. Look for white to dark-brown, dried liquid or foam on the tops or bottoms of the capacitors. Bulging capacitors are a sign leakage is about to occur.
A motherboard with bulging or leaky capacitors can be repaired, but often it is more cost effective in the long run to replace the motherboard.
