PC has failed after flashing and clicking.

Hi, my pc has failed and I would appreciate any advice as to the cause of the problem. I’ve since bought a new PC but I would like to recover info from the old one and maybe repair it as a back-up system. It’s an old Pentium 4 XP computer with a SUPER P4SBA+ Motherboard.
The problems started with the PC making clicking noises along with the machine looking like it was trying to turn itself off, the screen would flash black and then back to the desktop. After this small period of flashing clicking, the desktop would return but the PC was slow like it was working on something difficult, the HD light was also on constantly. The first couple of times I managed to turn off the computer although it took a while due to the speed of the PC. After the first time, I waited for the PC to cool completely and then tried again, it worked fine for about 10-15 minutes but then started flashing/clicking again.
I thought it may be the power supply failing, but I googled the problem and came up with two other possibilities, a bios problem or a short. I knew a case fan had been making a lot of noise recently, so I powered the PC up and checked, sure enough it didn’t work. I don’t think it was an overheating problem, as bizarrely the fan was placed by the manufacturers where there was no case holes, and on top of that the case was open for a couple of months. I disconnected the fan, which was connected to a drive power socket, in case it was shorting the power supply and tried again. Again the machine started clicking and flashing, then running slowly, but before I could shut it down it went to a blue screen with an error message (that I’ve lost). The message said that it was dumping the memory to hard drive, so I waited but the hard drive wasn’t making any noise and the light was on permanently. In the end I rebooted the computer but this time the hard drive wouldn’t boot, the bios read its details but the drive wasn’t recognised.
I noticed the hard drive light was on permanently, so I flashed the Bios with the latest version, checked all the settings and tried again but the light was still on and no luck from the hard drive. I then tried to reinstall windows using the recovery disc on an old 20GB drive I had, that worked fine. I tested the computer but no clicking noises or flashing, however the hard drive light is still on. I checked the HD light motherboard connection and that seems fine.

Is the HD light on because the motherboard is damaged (ide seems otherwise
fine)?

Could the fan cause the initial problem?

Could a failed IDE drive damage a motherboard or cause any of the symptoms, or is it more likely that the aborted memory dump damaged the HD?

I have some programming knowledge of reading HD sectors and have recovered files before, but I don’t want the connect the hard drive to another PC if it’s going to damage it. Is it likely to damage another PC?

Mike

 

Sounds like a dead HDD IMO. Do try setting it up as a slave in your other system and try and copy everything to a pre-prepared folder/partition on your new hard drive, do it as quickly as possible as each minute kills it more.

There's also bit by bit copying of drives with software, the good and the bad sectors, someone will have to recommend one as I haven't used any.

The clicking and continuous use of the HDD along with weird happenings is always a sign of a failing HDD. I hope yours has one last use left in it, and no it will not harm your new PC, it just may not boot is all. Good luck.

Welcome aboard.

EDIT: BTW flashing a BIOS is 'only' necessary if there are errors be corrected that affect you or you have made a significant hardware change like a CPU.

 

Thanks for the reply, the continuous Hard drive light was on even when the old hard drive was disconnected. So I checked the HD cable and it easily came away from the board in my hand, I don’t know how it worked itself loose. I rechecked the old hard drive and now the bios won’t recognise it. I removed it and there is a slight ticking noise when you tip it gently from one side to the other, I suppose it’s the arm but I’ve never heard it in any other drive before, is this a bad sign? Could the electronics be fried so a second hand hd could be used for parts? BTW Is it strange or common for a hard drive to suddenly fail without making dreadful noises.

 

IDE's are fragile in respect to cable disconnects, I fried one after forgetting to power off first.:-o Perhaps the data cable was seated just enough for it to work properly until something shook it loose like maybe you went in to clean the dust bunnies out? IDK.

As to replacing the PCB on the drive, if you hear things clicking around in there, then it's toast. What bugs me is that you put back your 20 GB and that died too? Did you check it in another PC? Get a new data cable($2) and try again if one still works in another PC.

Other than that, try booting with the default BIOS but this is a long shot.

 

The 20GB didn’t die, the HD light was on all the time (just slight oscillations when used) which is why I checked the cable. Once I put the cable back properly the light went off, but perhaps it was responsible for my failed hd though. You think its toast? damn it if only I wasn’t so lazy when it comes to back-ups :banghead. I still might try the electronics if a cheap one comes up on eBay despite the ticking, I’d give it CPR if I thought it would help

 

You shouldn't run puter when its open. Airflow gets messed up. Check the fan to make sure it spins silently. Notice: Ran Computer open case for 2 months, then (HD fails)
Maybe, maybe not, but better safe than sorry.