Shoutbox

I tried an hard disk monitor program and figured out that my hard drive  is kind of hot (around 41 C), so I decided to clean up my box.
Then when I checked it again, the temperature was still around 40 C, but the performance dropped to 97% (before was 100% although I bought the hard drive 4 years ago).
Suddenly I sometimes get a problem where the monitor goes blank and box light is not on. Usually, I will have to turn the computer off (forced) and turn it on again.

But today was different.
After a few seconds I logged on Windows, the monitor went blank, and when I turned it on again, there was an error saying a file was missing (something like a config file in System folder or other folder).
Then that was it. The computer kept giving options like continue in safe mode (or with command prompt), last known working configuration, or run normally.
I believe you know what I mean.

So I tried to repair it with the CD.
I've never done the repair and I didn't know that it would just give me a command prompt (usually I'll just reformat my computer).
I did chkdsk and it said it found one or more errors.
Then I reformatted my computer.
All work well now except the hard drive performance being 73% now and the "work time" is less than 30 days.
I used the error-checking tool, but it said the volume was clean.

Questions:
What's wrong with my box/hard drive?
Is that because I touched something that I wasn't supposed to touch when cleaning it up?
What do you think I should do?
One thing that sprung in my mind that I had to start saving for a new hard drive

Edit: I think I should add that the monitor goes blank thing only happens if I cold-boot my PC. It won't go blank if the computer has already run for a while. Now, I'm afraid of turning my PC off

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Originally posted by Weyzza
Edit: I think I should add that the monitor goes blank thing only happens if I cold-boot my PC. It won't go blank if the computer has already run for a while. Now, I'm afraid of turning my PC off (Smilie)

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It could be some moisture causing that. As the circuits get heated up, its all fine. I've had that problem once with my pc during the first monsoon after I got my 1st pc.

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Originally posted by Phillip
41 C isn't really that hot for a cpu. 60+ is when you decide to go get better cooling.

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41C is a bit for an hdd, ain't it. I don't know how to check hdd temps else I'd tell you mine to compare

I thought hdd's should be more like 30-35 but i guess they are about 40 after long working periods.
My GPU and CPU idle at ~40 and work at around 45-48 so that is ok. 60 means beware. 65+ means you're dying. 70+ means its time to go shopping

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Originally posted by Weyzza
Suddenly I sometimes get a problem where the monitor goes blank and box light is not on. Usually, I will have to turn the computer off (forced) and turn it on again.

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If its an old crt, I'm not surprised. Its probably dying. That is what happened to mine. Once it started happening, it died it about 8-12 months or something.

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Originally posted by John Anderton

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Originally posted by Weyzza
Suddenly I sometimes get a problem where the monitor goes blank and box light is not on. Usually, I will have to turn the computer off (forced) and turn it on again.

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If its an old crt, I'm not surprised. Its probably dying. That is what happened to mine. Once it started happening, it died it about 8-12 months or something.

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I have to admit that you gave me a glimmer of hope, but what I mean by "box light is not on" is the CPU is not working.
You know, I mean the light that blinks if your CPU is working hard

But I do really hope that the problem lies on my ancient CRT

So if pc is under load, the mon goes off? dodgy
Mine gave a resetting type sound. the old crt switched off and then on again Took a few seconds

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Originally posted by John Anderton
So if pc is under load, the mon goes off? dodgy

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Exactly!
And as I said before, it only happens a few seconds after the Windows logged on.

Maybe I should try turning off/on the monitor next time I see it.

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Originally posted by Weyzza
And as I said before, it only happens a few seconds after the Windows logged on.

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after or while?
As in you put in your pass, press enter then before your desktop appears your mon is black?
If so, yes, it happens to me to. Its just Vista (in my case) loading. No need to worry

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Originally posted by Weyzza

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Originally posted by John Anderton
So if pc is under load, the mon goes off? dodgy

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Exactly!
And as I said before, it only happens a few seconds after the Windows logged on.

Maybe I should try turning off/on the monitor next time I see it.

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Do you have an ATI GPU?
Sometimes, on a computer I have an ATI Graphics Card, that happens...

So, nothing to worry about... (I guess)

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Originally posted by Mike
Do you have an ATI GPU?
Sometimes, on a computer I have an ATI Graphics Card, that happens...

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Mine is nVidia GeForce2 MX 440.

quote:

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Originally posted by Weyzza
I have to admit that you gave me a glimmer of hope, but what I mean by "box light is not on" is the CPU is not working.
You know, I mean the light that blinks if your CPU is working hard (Smilie)

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The light on the front of a computer that flickers is for the Hard Drive, not the CPU...

Edit: Looks like I hit Senior Member after 3.5 years.