Help - I need a computer genius

[Coyote_Bandit]

As of this morning my PC is making a horrible sound. Kind of hard to describe. I assume the hard drive is getting ready to die. Either that or a fan.

Yes, I have backed up all my data files. No, none of the diagnostic software identify any problems. Yes, the PC seems to be working fine. But it has been making this whirring grinding kind of sound for a couple of hours now....

I've successfully rebooted, done a virus check and scanned for spyware and adware. I've decided I'm not going to turn the thing off until it either (a) dies or (2) is mirrored on another drive.

Is it possible to copy everything (programs, data, registry, etc.) on the dying internal hard drive to an external drive and then install that external drive to replace the dying drive?

I assume that is possible and that I can accomplish it with Norton Ghost. Right?

Any drive recommendations? I will need at least a 180 drive.

[johnnie]

1. Chances are it is you fan on the power supply

Or it might be your CPU fan. If it is a continuous sound then I doubt it is your hard drive.

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. Anyway I can tell which it is?

[GirlinContempt]

5. No offense, but if you don't know

how to check, you should probably just be taking it in somewhere.

[johnnie]

6. Just by listening really

Here is what I would do. To see if it is the power supply one, you could try to stop it from turning for a second or two when you turn it on. It isn't that strong of a fan, so if you can put something on one of the blades of the fan (pencil or something) and then turn on the computer it should stop the grinding noise and you will know it is the power supply fan. If you open the computer up, you can basically do the same to the CPU fan, just be careful not to touch other things.

I am guessing it is the power supply fan, so I would try that first.

[GirlinContempt]

2. Sounds more like a fan than a HD issue

if so get thee to a repair shop! post haste! Waiting will only often mean replacing the CPU and the fan instead of just the fan.

[billyskank]

4. Yeah, it's probably a broken fan

Take the side off your PC with it switched on and see if you can hear where the problem is coming from.

[Coyote_Bandit]

7. Thanks, everyone

I'll find me a repair shop - and hope that it is just a fan.

Guess I don't have to work today.....