Persistant restarting problem (with clicking noise)

Dazzeerr

Dazzeerr

New Member

I've had this problem for a while now and it's been getting worse and worse until now where i can't actually use my computer.
When the problem first started occuring the computer would restart a few times with a strange clicking sound when i turned it on and then eventually get past POST and start-up.
Once it started up I could use the computer for multiple hours without problems, inless i accidently nudged the tower - which made it restart with the noise again. If i shaked the tower lightly it would constantly restart and make the clicking noise. This is why I have a feeling it's a electrical short, something isn't plugged in or something. But i've tried removing and replacing, pushing things in and checked all wires are in properly.

Anyway, it got worse and worse and started restarting randomly when in normal use too, but this could of been because of high bass too, shaking the tower. ^^

I've got a feeling it's one of the harddrives, because i've heard strange clicking noises come from them when they are ready to pop their clogs. I did however try simply unplugging them both and plugging them back in unaware that this would stop Windows XP from booting :P I've tried 'repairing' the Windows XP install but it asks for a password and i've tried many and none are working, is there a default password or a way of getting around this without losing everything on my harddrive?

My next question, is it the harddrive? Or could it be something else? Any ideas? :)

Thanks for any input guyysss.


UPDATE:
I know this is a while on now, but I still have the problem xD. Just haven't had time to fix it recently as i've been at work experience.

But anyway, it still happens when I unplug the harddrives, but now I have a feeling it's the motherboard. When it makes the clicking noise the system doesn't shut down, I don't know if this means it isn't the power supply but surely it's less likely?

Also, i've tried to listen to where the sound is coming from, it seems to be near the bottom of the motherboard, around the PCI slots or possibly even coming from the front of the computer where the on, restart button and USB slots are. The clicking noise can be constant when i nudge the computer repeatedly but I just have a feeling it's not the power supply either, doesn't sound like it's coming from the unit, the fan still spins constantly and the whole computer is on, but after a while of clicking the computer does shut down, wait a few moments and restart by itself. I'm really not sure! Haha, any ideas? :)


- Daz
 
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Yeah, either the actual disk in the harddrive is warped/damaged or the reader pin could perhaps also be damaged.
 
That's pretty worrying then as there is a lot of stuff on there that I need to keep :/ Think i'll buy a new harddrive, Seagate Barracuda's reliable? There's a 500GB one going for just under £40, seems perhaps too cheap?

Then hopefully transfer it all before the old one packs up :)
 
Most likely to be the harddrive? Roughly how old is it? The only way I know of to check your PSU would be to see if it was the fan in it making a noise. Otherwise I'm not too sure about the PSU

Consider that ticking noise to be the harddrive saying, Somethings wrong.
 
its simple turn the computer on with the power to the hard drive disconnected...if theres no noise its the hard drive...if there is noise its something else.
 
The Chad said:
Most likely to be the harddrive? Roughly how old is it? The only way I know of to check your PSU would be to see if it was the fan in it making a noise. Otherwise I'm not too sure about the PSU

Consider that ticking noise to be the harddrive saying, Somethings wrong.
Click to expand...

The harddrive is about 2 and a half years old. It's Maxtor, which I know isn't a great harddrive brand, I'll check some things tonight to see whether it's the harddrive/power supply.

If it's the harddrive i'll go with a Seagate Barracuda 500GB
If it's the power supply i'll go with the OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W

any objections or better recommendations? :p

I'm not in any rush, even if it isn't the harddrive i'm planning to buy Vista with Windows 7 upgrade voucher before I get it working again, run it fresh ^^
 
I know this is a while on now, but I still have the problem xD. Just haven't had time to fix it recently as i've been at work experience.

But anyway, it still happens when I unplug the harddrives, but now I have a feeling it's the motherboard. When it makes the clicking noise the system doesn't shut down, I don't know if this means it isn't the power supply but surely it's less likely?

Also, i've tried to listen to where the sound is coming from, it seems to be near the bottom of the motherboard, around the PCI slots or possibly even coming from the front of the computer where the on, restart button and USB slots are. The clicking noise can be constant when i nudge the computer repeatedly but I just have a feeling it's not the power supply either, doesn't sound like it's coming from the unit, the fan still spins constantly and the whole computer is on, but after a while of clicking the computer does shut down, wait a few moments and restart by itself. I'm really not sure! Haha, any ideas? :)
 
You got a fan in the front, since you say it sounds like its coming from the front. Could be a short in one of the power connectors/molex.
 
I just had a guy bring me one doing about the same thing. Two molex connectors that were plugged together, but not good enough. You could wiggle them, made a(clicking noise) computer would restart. Just had to reseat them all the way, problem went away.
 
Just some advice...

Maybe it's your hard drive, or maybe not. But someday your hard drive WILL fail. Back up all your important data, and keep backing it up periodically!
 
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