Need Computer HELP!

[momof1princess]

i'm working on an e-machines pc (i know, i know, lol, my mom gave it to me) and for the past 2-3 months at least, it's made a horrible grinding noise whenever i turn it on, which would eventually fade out. a couple days ago, i was sitting here working when i heard a pop which sounded like someone smashed a light bulb on the floor. DH searched around my desk and found nothing. the pc hasn't made the grinding noise since. today, it started turning itself off and on, just for a split second each time. right off and right back on, like flipping a switch. thankfully, it hasn't happened yet while i was working, but it's probably just a matter of time. anyone have an idea what could be going on? a local computer company replaced the power supply (which went out completely) last year. HELP!!

 

[ROIE01581]

Sounds like a short in your power unit. I would back up all your data.
If you can remove the shell and look for a lose connection, or dust in the back of the unit.

 

[themarquis]

Either the power supply again or a fan is going out, or both. Both are dangerous and could "fry" the computer" one of these days. Power supplies are pretty problem-prone, so it could be that, even though it is fairly new. If it's just a fan (hence the loud noise), the computer could be overheating and shutting itself off.

Unless you have someone who will do repairs very cheaply, I wouldn't bother taking it to the shop -- it's time for this computer to go to computer heaven Emachines and other cheap brands are sort of like ticking time bombs once they go off warranty.

 

[momof1princess]

ugh, this is what i was afraid of. i can't afford a mac and i really don't want to deal with windows vista.

 

[themarquis]

ugh, this is what i was afraid of. i can't afford a mac and i really don't want to deal with windows vista.

eh, vista isn't bad. It's probably not a nightmare like you think it will be -- just a short adjustment period. Computers that are being made now have hardware that is much more suited toward the needs of Vista -- at first, people had trouble running it because their specs weren't high enough. Vista is really not that different than XP. There have also been a ton of "fixes" to all the issues it had in the beginning, so most people find that it's fine now. Plus ... you can get a new vista computer (reusing your old monitor) for like 300 bucks! How sweet is that???

I guess you could also consider buying a used computer off of craigslist or something, but I wouldn't put a ton of money into it (because it will be a bit old and could have something go wrong with it at any time).

 

[momof1princess]

thanks i've heard so many bad things about vista, it's good to know it's not the pain in the rear-end i think it is. a friend suggested i put a box fan blowing on the tower, so i've got a small space heater on fan setting blowing on the back of the tower for now, until i decide if i want to replace or repair (i'm leaning toward replace, lol).

 

[jsmith]

the realities-the vista interface you would rather not deal with looks an aweful lot like the mac one yuou will pay three times the price for. Get adequate memory and vista doesnt have the issues that it has the rep for and it works just fine.

 

[themarquis]

thanks i've heard so many bad things about vista, it's good to know it's not the pain in the rear-end i think it is. a friend suggested i put a box fan blowing on the tower, so i've got a small space heater on fan setting blowing on the back of the tower for now, until i decide if i want to replace or repair (i'm leaning toward replace, lol).

Yeah, it's funny, but if you've got a busted fan, your little trick might just work. My dad had a computer that had a processor that ran absurdly hot -- he managed to keep it alive for three years with a couple of fans blowing on it. I think he had the case removed so the fans could blow directly on it, but I've also heard that's a bad idea because you get better air ciruculation if the case is intact, so who knows

I'm sure if you could get a Mac, you'd love it. But the reality is that they are rediculously expensive. Like 3x to 4x more expensive. So if you're not a dyed in the wool Mac "fanboy" (er, fangirl) and your only fear is that Vista will be annoying (I'm sure it will be a little bit at first) then I'd say suck it up and just deal with Vista. It's really not that bad