What does it mean when my computer makes a funny

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

'clunk' sound then freezes? Other than 'not good' does anyone have any ideas what problem this might indicate?

FWIW, I'm replacing the computer probably late next week (hopefully it will hold together until after 11/05) but I'm just curious what the problem might be.

TIA.

[RoyGBiv]

1. Something with a fan ...

Perhaps throwing a bearing or just freezing.

Either that or the cat was trying to paw at the spinning fan and it whacked him.

[ChromeFoundry]

2. I've seen a failing hard drive...

cause symptoms like this. The OS uses virtual memory that is stored on the hard drive. When the OS attempts a read and the drive stops responding, the system will either blue-screen or freeze.

Can you tell if the 'clunk' is coming from a fan or the hard drive? If the CPU fan stops, the BIOS will normally power-off the motherboard. Luckily, the computer does not have a lot of moving parts, so it should be fairly easy to track the problem down.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

3. It does sound like it's coming from the hard drive.

It's definitely coming from the front of the computer. After the 'clunk' I have to reboot and usually get the blue screen that says it's dumping memory. Or something like that. Then I reboot again and sometimes it takes and sometimes I have to use my ancient W98SE start up floppy. Then it seems to start up again after some more BS & mucking around.

I do need a new computer, but I'd just as soon get a root canal as to a) figure out which computer to get and 2) reinstall/install all the programs.

[RoyGBiv]

4. Yeah, that sounds like a hard drive ...

Hard drives seem to be built with an ability to mimic every frightening sound possible.

[Shardik]

5. It means that it's time to back up the data you want to save.

Good luck!

[sam sarrha]

6. I just built my first computer.. >>link>> got most the parts at newegg, i can now fix it and upgrade

it..

http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category.aspx?Category=20&name=Motherboards

i learned along the way, and the learning curve is pretty steep, lots os sites to get help.. http://www.pcmech is a good build site.. lots of others too

i did some overkill on some things, some i just found real cheap, the Rampage mobo isn't necessary, and if you decide to build something...stick with nVidia SLI.. i have never had an off the shelf computer i liked. cant upgrade or fix them. i needed the VISTA 64 bit for the RAM to run voice recognition software Dragon10

i'd probably get something like this if i had a doOver http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026 , since i lost my left hand my Game'n isn't what it used to be. be sure to get a PSU with 'modular' cables..

you can build a cheaper homebuilt.. i just never wanted to have to ever get another computer. i'm an Aspi, and the computer is my connection to the outside world. and at the time i was a gamer

Intel e8400 Core2 Duo CPU
Silent Knight CPU Cooler
VISTA 64 Home Premium
8 Gb RAM OCZ HPC Raptor
ASUS Formula Rampage X48 Mobo
VisionTek Radeon 3780 x2 GPU
MX Revolution Mouse
IceMat pad
ANTEK 900 Case