Disk Boot Failure

[Alexis]

No, actually, it's not dead. Whether it's temporary or not, it returned. Even after the partition. That's something else I've not done before, partition. It looks a bit confusing. I may have partitioned it incorrectly, but it works anyway. When I start the computer, I see 4 different options. Two for Unbuntu , and two for Windows. I don't remember doing all that. Ah well, at least it works. I opened up the case and didn't see anything unusual. It all seemed to be connected fine. Just in case , I pushed a few connections in just to make sure. Then, when I got it back together, I turned it on, expecting to hear that old familiar Click, Click, Click when it's failing again. The changes are something to adjust to. I guess it just shows you how much you can depend on something like a computer and feel like a good friend has died when it doesn't work. Here's hoping it's fine for awhile.

 

[Tuffdisc]

No, actually, it's not dead. Whether it's temporary or not, it returned. Even after the partition. That's something else I've not done before, partition. It looks a bit confusing. I may have partitioned it incorrectly, but it works anyway. When I start the computer, I see 4 different options. Two for Unbuntu , and two for Windows. I don't remember doing all that. Ah well, at least it works. I opened up the case and didn't see anything unusual. It all seemed to be connected fine. Just in case , I pushed a few connections in just to make sure. Then, when I got it back together, I turned it on, expecting to hear that old familiar Click, Click, Click when it's failing again. The changes are something to adjust to. I guess it just shows you how much you can depend on something like a computer and feel like a good friend has died when it doesn't work. Here's hoping it's fine for awhile.

4 different partitions? I would assume you have done something wrong there:thumbup

 

[retro]

That click, click, click is concerning... the only clicking I know of is a hard drive mechanically failing. Hopefully that's not the case.

 

[PoopaSwoof]

Ah, the dreaded click of death.:willy_nilly:
One temporary solution I have read about but not tried is to put the drive into a baggie and pop it into the freezer for a few hours. Take it out and hook it up and pray you can recover any stuff you really want before it fails for good. Apparently the cold helps it run ok for a while.

 

[Tuffdisc]

Ah sorry alexis for not reading the post again...if you do hear the click click inside the hard drive, like the other posters have said, it is the dreaded click of death

 

[Alexis]

Ah sorry alexis for not reading the post again...if you do hear the click click inside the hard drive, like the other posters have said, it is the dreaded click of death

That may be the case. I don't know if the weather has anything to do with it. That's a possibility. Fortunately, the weather has been cooler. Right now, it's about 47F in Florida. I decided to start all over again. No partitions. I put in the Ubuntu disk and just loaded it for my OS. This time, with all the media factors installed. It was time for a change with my computer. It seems to be working fine for now. It's just the adjustment to a new Operating System.

 

[Tuffdisc]

That may be the case. I don't know if the weather has anything to do with it. That's a possibility. Fortunately, the weather has been cooler. Right now, it's about 47F in Florida. I decided to start all over again. No partitions. I put in the Ubuntu disk and just loaded it for my OS. This time, with all the media factors installed. It was time for a change with my computer. It seems to be working fine for now. It's just the adjustment to a new Operating System.

I'm not quite getting this, you said you opened up your computer and heard some clicking sounds, yet now it is working fine?

 

[Alexis]

I'm not quite getting this, you said you opened up your computer and heard some clicking sounds, yet now it is working fine?

The Clicking was about 4 days ago. How could I hear Clicking sounds when the case is open? I don't know why it's gone now. Maybe the Windows disk is scratched or something, which may mean it has errors. I just don't know. Either way, Ubuntu seems to working fine.

 

[Tuffdisc]

The Clicking was about 4 days ago. How could I hear Clicking sounds when the case is open? I don't know why it's gone now. Maybe the Windows disk is scratched or something, which may mean it has errors. I just don't know. Either way, Ubuntu seems to working fine.

This is hard to understand what is going on, I also get some clicking on my drive (I actually know the drive which does the clicking....not dead.....yet....but nothing is being saved on that drive that is of any importance). I assume that Windows crashes sometimes?

 

[Alexis]

This is hard to understand what is going on, I also get some clicking on my drive (I actually know the drive which does the clicking....not dead.....yet....but nothing is being saved on that drive that is of any importance). I assume that Windows crashes sometimes?

Windows Crashes??? Where did you hear that?? In my case, not very often. It wouldn't freeze up that often, either. Some people just hate Vista, but it was generally pretty stable for me. Since I'm on Ubuntu, I don't have an Anti-Virus yet. Do you think I should get one? I know it's safer than Windows, but do you think I should get something?

 

[Tuffdisc]

Windows Crashes??? Where did you hear that?? In my case, not very often. It wouldn't freeze up that often, either. Some people just hate Vista, but it was generally pretty stable for me. Since I'm on Ubuntu, I don't have an Anti-Virus yet. Do you think I should get one? I know it's safer than Windows, but do you think I should get something?

To get an antivirus software is better than this misplaced trust in Mac....:thumbup

 

[Alexis]

I'm thinking of getting a Firewall first. Any ideas?

 

[Tuffdisc]

I'm thinking of getting a Firewall first. Any ideas?

Ubuntu has its own firewall, though I have forgotten what it is called personally I think it is rubbish, but a google search turned up this
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=649799
But to be safe as possibly could you need both virus and firewall

 

[Alexis]

I'm not too personally worried about it. Ubuntu comes with a firewall, but it has to be enabled. I did that in the Terminal. That's roughly the same as a command interface with Windows. As far as virus protection, it's not much needed on a Linux OS, from what I understand. Except for a few exceptions, all of the viruses including trojan horses have been written for Windows systems. They won't install. I did install a virus scanner just to be safe.

 

[Tuffdisc]

I'm not too personally worried about it. Ubuntu comes with a firewall, but it has to be enabled. I did that in the Terminal. That's roughly the same as a command interface with Windows. As far as virus protection, it's not much needed on a Linux OS, from what I understand. Except for a few exceptions, all of the viruses including trojan horses have been written for Windows systems. They won't install. I did install a virus scanner just to be safe.

Well, not to be too complacent I would install one, just don't be like a Mac user who thinks there aren't any viruses around

 

[Francis]

Alexis, the click click click sound you heard, if your hard drive is still alive, was probably wires hitting the fan of your CPU as you said you poked around in there.. It doesn't take much to have something hit that fan and I have done it often..

I have not looked back very far but most hard drive manufacturers make software to see the health of your drive, partitions and so on.. I know there was a movement to get it in pay format but I have most free versions still at home..

Hope all is well with your System.

I run Windows and Ubuntu on my system as well but on separate drives.

Cheers

 

[Alexis]

When I opened up the case, I didn't see anything amiss. I did remove some dirt that was at the bottom of the case, but I don't know if that was that significant. The Windows half of my partitions still had errors after I removed the dirt. The Ubuntu half was working fine. From what I've read, the two biggest issues with viruses are if you have a partition with Windows installed in it or if you use the Wine program, which let's you install programs that are made for Windows. I have neither of those. I may install an Anti-Virus program at some point, but right now I don't think I need it.

 

[Francis]

When I opened up the case, I didn't see anything amiss. I did remove some dirt that was at the bottom of the case, but I don't know if that was that significant. The Windows half of my partitions still had errors after I removed the dirt. The Ubuntu half was working fine. From what I've read, the two biggest issues with viruses are if you have a partition with Windows installed in it or if you use the Wine program, which let's you install programs that are made for Windows. I have neither of those. I may install an Anti-Virus program at some point, but right now I don't think I need it.

I installed ClamAV ( antivirus ) from the Software Updater / Installer in Ubuntu.

The problem I found with Linux antivirus software is that it would not scan Windows partitions. It had to do with the file format, if you use NTFS or FAT32.

In the last system I did I had a power supply failure that had affected the same PC. Ths store swore up and down it was a virus and not the power supply, but as I know the General Manager, when he walked in he decided not to argue with me and put the tester to the PSE. As I expected it failed right away and the test department was left red faced..

I still have the old Windows 98 or ME boot Up Disks to do a clean start for either a diskette, USB drive or CD Rom.. From there I can use my hard drive disks to test my drives with.. Its a bit of monkey business but well worth the saved money

If the virus is in the boot section of the hard drive, you will have a big issues getting rid of it.. It's not impossible, but patience will be a virtue if you want to access Windows again. re-installing Windows on top of it will not solve the issue.. You must get rid of the infection..

If you can start Windows try running a www.trendmicro.com scan for free called House Calls.. If it's boot section it won't clean it but might detect it and give you a clue on how to clean it out..

Cheers