Funny computer noise: 'Twas brillig and the slithy...

[icarus]

If your hard drive "burbles" and sounds a bit like a top that's off-kilter (a soft wobbling sound), that's bad, isn't it?

Any advice?

I have none of my software backed up (unable to upload to my webspace and no CD-burning capability), it all came with the computer, though my fics are safe. wildernessguru and I are buying an external drive this weekend with money we don't have.

I'm hoping this is not the end of my computer since that would screw up every level of work, school, writing, a lot of my social life -- I'd say everything but my sexlife revolves around this little box.

Comments

[artsykitten.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a dying fan.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Fan. Check. scarah2 suggests that as well, and has reassured me that it might not be a big deal. *swipes forehead with relief*

Icarus

[artsykitten.livejournal.com]

Yeah, fans are pretty cheap (-$10 usually). Fry's Electronics sells them. Or any surplus computer store. Some computers have more than one fan. (It's all my BF's fault I know this. He's such a geek. Hehe. Hey, I'm sure he can offer advice. He's currently fixing my stepmom's computer. He's replacing both her fans. He's teddytiger.) :)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Computer cut out, so I'm responding from the school library.

Okay. I'm getting quotes that are upwards of $200 bucks for fans + labor. Is this because I have a laptop, or are these people rip-off artists?

Icarus

[artsykitten.livejournal.com]

Ah. Laptops, I have no clue about. And people always overcharge for labor. :P

Purhaps laptop fans are more expensive. With electronics, doesnt it always seem that the smaller toys are more expensive? Heh.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Darn.

This really sucks. I don't have two hundred bucks (brace yourself for whining) and I'm currently a student and I'm working part time but that doesn't cover... [fill in blank].

*heavy sigh*

I need wildernessguru to at least get back to temp work. Having a house-wife is nice but I'm sick of carrying a full load of classes and working, and watching him fuck-off.

Even if he does wait on me hand and foot and cater to my every whim. And does all the laundry. And does the dishes. And the cat litter. And takes care of the car. And the cooking, let's not forget his excellent cooking. And cleans the house. Then there's the plants. Hmm. Actually, it's a pretty sweet deal, save when we need real live green money.

Icarus

[artsykitten.livejournal.com]

*giggles*

I understand completly. I go to school and work part time. I'm underpaid and underworked. I dont get enough hours ($45/week right now). My boyfriend is going to school too. He's part time with IBM. They contract him out on temp jobs. He just finished the last one about 2 weeks ago. Right now hes the one buying everything and I feel bad. :/

[scarah2.livejournal.com]

In order of likelihood starting with most likely:

1. Power supply fan. Cheap and easy to get replaced!
2. Hard drive. Not too expensive but what a pain in the ass!
3. Other fan, like CPU or something. Shouldn't be too expensive, if you replace it before it causes whatever it's cooling to fail.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Oooh. Thank you. That doesn't sound so bad. We're taking it in for a diagnostic tomorrow. *crosses fingers*

Icarus

Brought to you from the school library.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Computer cut me off mid-sentence. Just died. It will turn back on, but I don't wanna take that risk.

The tech places I've called have said the same thing: most likely a fan. But they're quoting me prices in the range of $200 for parts and (mostly) labor. Am I hearing rip-off artists, or is this reasonable for a Notebook?

Icarus

Re: Brought to you from the school library.

[scarah2.livejournal.com]

Ohhh a laptop. Yeah, that's probably about right. Most of the labor is figuring how to get the case open, and then back together again. Each one is unique, like a snowflake. The parts are more expensive too because of miniaturization.

Laptop Repair

[teddytiger.livejournal.com]

$200 sounds about right for working on laptops, the tech has to figure out how to open the case and access the fan(s) to replace them. Usually, though, if it is the hard drive, those are usually in a little sled on the side of the laptop that's fairly easy to remove.

My guess, though, if it's cutting out, that could be a heat related issue (CPU or power supply is getting too hot).

Wish I could provide more help, but I can't hear the symptoms myself.

Good Luck!

TeddyTiger