I have a laptop running windows vista which I have had for about 9 months. Until recently all has been fine, very happy with it and none of the problems people often report about vista.
For the last 2 or 3 days it seems to have developed a significant problem. It will run for around 5 to 20 minutes then all of a sudden it will stop responding to inputs (but not totally freeze up) and make this incessant clicking noise, a noise the PC does make whilst working normally but not continuously like it does when it stops working. The only course of action then is to power down using the mains on button. On restarting I get presented with the options to either go into safe mode or start normally. Normal mode just repeats the problem but the machine seems to work fine in safe mode, so I cant see that the problem is with the hardware (although the clicking does sound like a hard drive problem).
I have tried various scans to get to the bottom of the problem including a full virus scan using Norton IS 09. I have also uninstalled the last piece of software installed (Google Chrome). The problem still persists. I have just tried System Restore but that doesnt seem to have worked either.
Unless another solution can be found I will have no choice but to do a complete system reset and reinstall windows. This is the 'Nuclear' option that i would rather not take
Can anyone offer any advice or point me in the direction of help with this matter.
I am happy to provide any further info if this will help.
Thanks
Does the clicking noise still happen when you mute the sound?
If it was the h/d then i dought your pc would work at all or you would get a blue screen with white writing.
A lot of problems with windows are the new updates, try uninstalling any recent windows updates.
You can also re-install windows over it's self without formatting the laptop, all the files stay the same but windows is installed under a new file. I use to do this with 98 and xp if i had any problems (back up your imortant files just incase, including your internet favourites folder).
Neil
Hi Its so frustrating when your computer goes on the blink.
Im on vista and hae been very happy for the last 3 years and no problems with any updates so far.
Have you checked to see if you are over heating? 9 months might be enough time for your vent to fur up. Try wedging it off the surface and see if that helps.
On vista you have a second chance option calledback up and restore on the control panel. You can set a restore point today then restore back to see if you can correct any fault.
if you went back a few months what would happen is that it would flag any files that you have written since and ask you if you want to save them.If it doesnt work you can then just select to return to todays restore point.
Also sometimes norton isnt as fast as other anti virus programs, i always have two other free ones running these are clam and avg both offer free downloads of the programs.
Another thing you might try is the free windows advanced system care program that will do a good survey and scrub this is also a free download. just google any of these and look for the free .
versions. good luck with it
x sunloving
Thanks for replies.
nilly71: The clicking happens with the sound on or off, makes no diference. As to resetting Windows (as i like to call reinstalling Windows and starting afresh FYI), my machine does not seem to have the option to reinstall Vista without deleting files. I have a choice of running reinstall from recovery partition or from a set of disks made when i first got the machine. Both options delete files and software before reinstalling Vista. This is strange as it seems a backward step. I have an older desktop with a recovery partition that gives me the option of reinstalling windows (XP) without deleting files.
Tried using System restore to remove recent windows updates but it did no good. Cant be updates (for windows at least) causing the problem.
sunloving: Considered the overheating bit. The machine is actualy my dad's and he uses it an awful lot for browsing and streaming video. Thought when the problem first started it was a fan problem and the machine was getting too hot but the problem continued even when steps were taken to keep the machine cooler (by using it on a table rather than lap).
Have to look into the options in backup and restore. have used the basic system restore (above) and thought backup referred to files not the system. Will check it out for future reference.
Do wonder about Norton sometimes. Get the feeling it misses things sometimes. That said once I had done a couple of system restores it did not seem to work at all! Found the windows care programme but it wouldn't install for some reason. Will try it again.
Update: Since posting I have 'bitten the bullet' and run the system reset to reinstall windows (after backing up files and settings). So far so good, problem has not reoccurred but then again there isn't anything on the computer now! Am gradually replacing most used software and see how far i get before the problem reoccurs (if it does). In fact the clicking briefly returned just before a tracking cookie was detected - all fine again once the tracking cookie was removed. I am wondering though if the original problem was a 'bug' or virus of some kind that Norton failed to pick up.
It has often been discussed how Norton isn't as good as it could be for the cost of using it. I was wondering if anyone could recommend anything better - idealy free, apart from the Windows care programme which i am guessing is only for Vista onwards?
Thanks
AVG is the only anti-virus software i use...and it's free.
I have been using it for years and usually uninstall norton.
http://free.avg.com/gb-en/download-avg-anti-virus-free (http://free.avg.com/gb-en/download-avg-anti-virus-free)
I turn off automatic updates for Windows too as I know a few people that have had problems after their pc updated it's self.
Neil
I'd use AVG as well or Avast if you prefer...
I would slightly disagree with nilly71 on the auto update issues. While there have been a few issues with some early vista updates I would say that it's more imortant to be patched. I auto update around 800 PCs (although I only do critial updates) with no real issues but then I dont have Vista running wither..
I guess it's a personal choice but I'd go for a patched PC any day...
Thanks
I have used AVG before and found it to be good but went back to Norton after getting the laptop in question. I have one subscription a/c that does 3 PCs I keep meaning to try it again but technically the PCs aren't mine (although I do all the maintainance on them!) and the owners like Norton and can't see anything wrong with it. To them if its free it cant be that good.
One point I have about AVG vs Norton IS is that while Norton Is is antivirus and a firewall, AVg is just antivirus and you need either windows firewall or another free firewall programme (which might conflict with AVG.
I too am a bit suspicious of windows updates. i wonder if it need them all but still install them just in case i do. I feel that after a while they clutter up the hard drive and OS slowing the machine down.
If this is any use to you Richard, I've got Vista on the laptop & my puter blokey recently installed his anti-v stuff of choice - Avast + Malwarebytes + CCleaner, all free, all do what it says on the tin 8) He recommended I install the 'critical' Windows updates as/when I get notified of them.
I have Vista too, had to have a new hard drive installed in my laptop as it got badly bumped off by viruses when we came here, would't buy a new one so paid the about 80 sterling to get it fixed but the keys don'e line up with the programme.They put Vista in.
for eg ##### this where my english pound key was and it has vanished completely. I don't know why because I had the $ sign and pound sign before
"""""""""""""""""""this is where my @ was (they swapped places)
|||||this used to be a wavy line.
\\\\\\ is where the one that bumped my pound key was.
Most confusing,, I think I need a new one
XX Jeannine
Jeannine, you've got an American keyboard layout (as have I on my lappy & just checked my English keyboard - everything's as you've said (well, written,like.) X
Comodo Firewall works well with AVG but they also do a complete suite - anti-virus, firewall and malware prevention all FREE
http://www.comodo.com/products/free-products.php
Oh well Lish that's me..up the downhill staircase again!! My Mother used to say I wanted everything different to everyone else,I swear if I was a salmom I guess I would swim towards the sea to get my jollies..Laptop came with me from UK fixed here so you are right.
XX Jeannine
jeannine,
I'm not sure if you know, but you can change your setting to UK keyboard so your £ will be back to key3, as will the rest.
I'm on the old office pc at the moment so can't remember the whole sequence for Vista. Try Start- Settings-Control panel- then it's either keyboard or language options
Sometimes there is a little icon down by the clock that says something like language, click on this and change it.
Neil
I can't find it XX Jeannine
Hi Garden Assistant
some thing to consider is windows 7 now has a more comprehensive repair suite built into it which I used to repair , without losing any files, my daughters Vista Laptop, I just put the disk in the DVD ,ran repair and then took the disk out, it still runs Vista, as for good free programs go to DOWNLOAD.COM download AVG free anti virus suite and try Advanced system care free a good tool to clean and help maintain system performance
starting another thread for J - don't want to disturb GA's thread..
Lishka
Hi Although this topic is a few months old I hope you don't mind me resurrecting it. I've read through all the posts, as I have a tremendous problem, and I am sure it is down to Norton. Just lately everything occasionally slows to a stop and my computer becomes totally unresponsive. My BBC I-player is malfunctioning and my Skype is now absolute rubbish and often refuses to connect or de-pixel-ates the picture of my Skype correspondent.
I have tried most of the solutions suggested in previous threads to no avail. Even as I type this the letters are coming up 'in arrears'. If I check my Norton at times like this I find that an scan was performed in the last minute or so, and I presume that Norton is perfoming its own updates.
My Toshiba laptop, running Vista, now ALWAYS seems to be performing a background task (Norton AV?) and my CPU usage is seldom less than 100%. Are my problems similar to those experienced by others, and is Norton to blame? Also how difficult is it to de-install Norton? I desperately need help on this as my computer is becoming unuseable.
Regards, Caro
Hi
Since writing my previous post on Norton, I decided to make a completely new thread. Apols if I've led you up the gaden path!
Regards Caro
Get a Windows 7 upgrade disc!
I went straight from XP to 7, I wouldn't touch Vista with a bargepole.
Quote from: Easywriter on July 09, 2010, 20:54:26
I wouldn't touch Vista with a bargepole.
Here!, here!.
It was Vista that decided me to go the Linux way with Ubuntu OS. I have been very satisfied with the move.
Unfortunately i need to update this thread since the problem has recently returned. Since i last posted on this topic i have upgraded the machine to windows 7 and for a long time afterwards it worked fine without the problem reoccuring. To recap the machine startis making a clicking or stuttering sound, iam certain through the speakers/sound card not from the hard drive or other components directly. At the same time it 'freezes up' and needs turing off by the power switch regardless of what it was doing before the problem starts up. On restarting it gives the usual options to run normallly or go into safe mode (which can help but does not aid determining the problem). Rebooting normaly seems to cure the problem for a while and it can be days, hours or minutes before the proble occurs again. But it does occur.
I am begining to wonder if the problem is some thing software related and i have found that cleaning out the internet cookies can temporarily cure the problem. I am thinking that it could be a 'bad' cookie that is if not causing the problem but at least triggering it. it would have to be one that regularly comes onto the PC though. Other theories are conflicts caused by windows updates or some form or virus. I have an up to date subscription to Norton internet security (2010 version i think), which should stop any viral problems, however i have noticed on another Win7 machine running Norton 360 much more in the way of attacks being detected and fixed. I am concerned that for some reason Norton IS is missing something that is harming the laptop PC. Would upgrading the laptop to norton 360 help? Not sure.
When i last had this problem i found i had to completly reset the laptop back to factory settings, something i will do if it is needed but not happy about doing, particulaly if it is still likely the problem will arise again in the future. I am also concerned than since the machine was bought with Vista and later upgraded that this will cause problems resetting it.
This is a real headache for me. The machine is primarily my father's and he enjoys using it to watch films on the internet. I do not want to stop him doing this, particularly as he is about to retire from work. However i do wonder if this activity might be harming the machine in the first place. Some of the sites used to access the films do not seem particularly 'clean' of potential virus infections. I know antivirus software should stop it but it is still a worry.
Can anyone help please.
Very tricky to diagnose from afar but IMHO clicking noises normally come from the hard drive and normally indicate some sort of failure. Try taking a lead out of the sound card to a stereo to see if is an audio issue. Or disable the sound card for a while and see if you hear the clicking.
If you had the same sort of issues under Vista as you are having now on the same hardware then to me it would mean that the hardware is the issue.
Does it get over hot - that will cause the machine to crash? A blast of canned air can do a world of good for a hot lappie!
I would not bother upgrading to Norton 360. In fact I would ditch Norton for something more lightwieght if you dont need all the bells and whistles that is has..
Cookie - mmm unlikely to cause an issue of this sort esp as the lappie does this randomly.
Upgrading from Vista to 7 is not ideal - always best to do a fresh install - that way you can be sure there are no Vista related issues but you are where you are I guess..
Thanks for reply. Have investigated further and can give more info. I was wrong about the clicking being from the sound card. i turned off the sound and it still happened. No the machine does not het hot when the problem occurs, so cant be the fan. I did upgrade my norton to 360. I was already subscribed to it with another PC and its not my decision to ditch it anyway!
I agre it would be a cookie directly, but could it be a deep rooted virus that is somehow activated by certain cookies? If cookies arent involved then could it still be a deep rooted virus that the antivirus scanner isnt picking up and is affecting the registry?
When you say do a clean install of 7 rather than upgrading from vista, do you mean completely formatting the hard drive before installing 7? I upgraded as i didnt want to do this and wipe all my data! However if it might solve the problem I suppose its worthwhile doing.
Thanks for the help.
Having read all your posts I would be inclined to suspect that there is a problem with the hard drive. It may be that the heads are sticking when they are being parked. I would make sure that you regularly back up everything.
Hard drives are mechanical and as such can wear out. Also if the laptops been dropped or banged it may have caused some damage to the disc.
Unfortunately I would imagine that the only way to check is to replace the drive. Easy on a PC, not so easy but perfectly doable on a laptop.
Having lived with the problem for a good while, and the machine continuing to work well enough with no other problems, things came to a head recently. After doing its 'clicking' hiatus several times within a few minutes (stopping then starting again quite quickly) the machine was rebooted. Now it will not not boot up, it tried to fix itself a couple of times but repeatedly kept coming up with a 'shell' error message (an important file missing it reckons) before reaching the user login. Am now going to run system recovery see if that fixes it, failing that a clean install of windows. i still feel it is a windows problem rather than a HDD problem. Of course it if i do all i can and it still wont work than it will have to be looked at professionaly.
The machine is actualy my dad's machine. He uses it a lot and gets great pleasure from using it. He is rather 'lost' right now.
I would still say hard drive failure. If the drive is failing in some way then it is often the case that a system file get lost or corrupted.
My wife's Pc recently did the same thing or something similar. Normally in this case I would remove the HD, scan for errors and pop it back in the original machine and 9/10 it works. However it is often the sympton of a failing drive - sure enough my wife HD died on Saturday.
It is well worth having a stab at formatting and reinstalling as it could just be a windows failure but IMHO windows boot issues are normally caused by file corruption which is, in turn, a sympton of HD failing..