Weird Noise from Laptop

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 11:34am #1

Guys I have a laptop that is about 3 years old now, a Dell Inspiron 1501. I came with vista but I upgraded to Windows 7 a while back.

Anyway in the last week or so I have noticed an occasional weird sound. Sometimes when I turn it on it makes a screeching sound kind of like glass scraping on glass. Also that sound sometimes randomly occurs when I am simply surfing, or when I wake it from sleeping or hibernating mode. Now I usually listen to music which would cover it up, but for the past while I have been using the laptop when others have been asleep: hence no music. So I don't know for sure how long this has been happening or even if it is a new thing at all!

Anyway is this normal or is it a bad sign? What should I do?

mp22 · 03-07-2010 12:37pm

I have heard hard drives on there way out make a noise like that,back up everything you cant afford to lose.

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 12:40pm

mp22 wrote: »

I have heard hard drives on there way out make a noise like that,back up everything you cant afford to lose.

Oh no, disaster. Most of my stuff is backed up. I hope that is not it as I cannot afford a new laptop.

If it was a desktop I suppose I could buy a new HD and stick it in, but I have no idea if that can be done with a laptop.

bonzodog2 · 03-07-2010 12:43pm

Easy enough. I think its a 120GB SATA on that.
You could try taking it out anyway to check if it might be the cpu fan instead

Improbable · 03-07-2010 12:45pm

Replacing a laptop hard drive is very easy as well. And it certainly does sound as if its the hard drive thats doing the grinding.

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 12:48pm

I'm not very good with computers etc and would be a bit wary of doing it myself. What exactly happens if the HD goes? Does the laptop basically not work, or will it have no OS?

Improbable · 03-07-2010 12:52pm

The laptop would not work. Do you have any friends who are at all computer savvy? If not, what you could do is get the hard drive and take it to a computer shop and they should do it for a minimal fee as it only takes about 2 minutes. Or if you attend a university or your workplace has an IT department, they should be able to do it for you for free.

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 12:55pm

Damn. I have an external hard drive somewhere, could I somehow get the laptop to runoff of that, or would that be extremely difficult? If it just a case of connecting a few things I say I could do it myself, I have replaced lasers and stuff in Playstations. But the finances are quite tight, I would literally have 100 euro max to spend.

And I notice that my laptop has a "recovery" HD listed alongside the normal HD in the computer panel. Is that simply a partition of the main HD?

bonzodog2 · 03-07-2010 12:55pm

Its 1 or 2 screws on the base, then a caddy slides out from the left side I think

Improbable · 03-07-2010 1:00pm

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

Damn. I have an external hard drive somewhere, could I somehow get the laptop to runoff of that, or would that be extremely difficult? If it just a case of connecting a few things I say I could do it myself, I have replaced lasers and stuff in Playstations. But the finances are quite tight, I would literally have 100 euro max to spend.

depends on the size. if it was a hard drive from a desktop, i would say not as they're larger and the alignments wouldnt work. 100 euro should be more than enough to buy the drive and get it installed.

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 1:00pm

bonzodog2 wrote: »

Its 1 or 2 screws on the base, then a caddy slides out from the left side I think

I could probably handle that.

Improbable · 03-07-2010 1:02pm

I would check eBay for good deals on a drive. Make sure that you're searching for the right type though. You should be able to get that information from calling Dell.

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 1:03pm

Improbable wrote: »

depends on the size. if it was a hard drive from a desktop, i would say not as they're larger and the alignments wouldnt work. 100 euro should be more than enough to buy the drive and get it installed.

Its just a USB external hard drive. If I moved everything to that could I set that as the main HD and take the current dodgy one out?

But if I can do it for under a hundred then I should be ok.

Improbable · 03-07-2010 1:05pm

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

Its just a USB external hard drive. If I moved everything to that could I set that as the main HD and take the current dodgy one out?

But if I can do it for under a hundred then I should be ok.

You can run windows from an external USB hard drive but it requires a LOT of advanced work and I don't know that anyone outside of an IT professional would be able to handle it. Messing about with installation files and items of that nature. It is however easy to run Linux off of a USB key if you would consider doing that.

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 1:14pm

Improbable wrote: »

You can run windows from an external USB hard drive but it requires a LOT of advanced work and I don't know that anyone outside of an IT professional would be able to handle it. Messing about with installation files and items of that nature. It is however easy to run Linux off of a USB key if you would consider doing that.

Ahh, I would be willing to run linux, my laptop is basically just a glorified netbook these days. So would I be able to run it off the USB, have say my music on my external HD and no HD or a broken one actually in the laptop? That would be a good stopgap until I get some cash together.

Improbable · 03-07-2010 1:17pm

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

Ahh, I would be willing to run linux, my laptop is basically just a glorified netbook these days. So would I be able to run it off the USB, have say my music on my external HD and no HD or a broken one actually in the laptop? That would be a good stopgap until I get some cash together.

I see no reason why that wouldn't work. You would have to set up the BIOS to boot up from a USB key and thats fairly simple, you can find many tutorials for your particular manufacturer on how to do that on the internet. All you have to do then is install your preferred version of linux onto the USB key and off you go.

bonzodog2 · 03-07-2010 1:18pm

You could also run Linux from a 'live' CD, with or without a hard disk. DO back up anything important. Does the external plug in with 2 USB plugs, or does it have its own PSU ? former is prob 2.5", the other prob 3.5". Assuming the ext drive is newer than the dell, its probably a SATA drive too

03-07-2010 1:23pm

It's very simple to change the hard disk in a 1501. On the right-hand side of the laptop there's a compartment which holds the disk, it's held in with two screws on the bottom. Slide it out and there's another two screws holding the cover on to the disk. Refit the cover to a new disk, slide it back in and refit the screws. It's 100% a SATA disk in there, I've worked on them loads of times.

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 1:25pm

Improbable wrote: »

I see no reason why that wouldn't work. You would have to set up the BIOS to boot up from a USB key and thats fairly simple, you can find many tutorials for your particular manufacturer on how to do that on the internet. All you have to do then is install your preferred version of linux onto the USB key and off you go.

That sounds cool, kinda fun too. But I presume I will need to get a load of drivers too? For say my wireless internet etc?

Improbable · 03-07-2010 1:26pm

I don't know that much about the wireless to be honest as I only ever did this for a wired connection.

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 1:30pm

Karsini wrote: »

It's very simple to change the hard disk in a 1501. On the right-hand side of the laptop there's a compartment which holds the disk, it's held in with two screws on the bottom. Slide it out and there's another two screws holding the cover on to the disk. Refit the cover to a new disk, slide it back in and refit the screws. It's 100% a SATA disk in there, I've worked on them loads of times.

Cheers mate. This really is unwanted hassle, f I wanted windows I would have to reinstall vista, then upgrade it again. If it goes I might just go for linux, seems easier.

Improbable wrote: »

I don't know that much about the wireless to be honest as I only ever did this for a wired connection.

I presume I wont fcuk my laptop up by interchanging whether it boots from the HD or linux? Even if I get a new HD when this one dies I would like to know how to do that anyway. The idea of carrying my own OS around with me sounds nice.

bonzodog2 · 03-07-2010 1:31pm

I'd think a recent Linux distro would cope with the hardware on a 3yo machine. A good idea to identify the hardware you have tho, e.g. the graphics,sound,wifi

Improbable · 03-07-2010 1:34pm

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

I presume I wont fcuk my laptop up by interchanging whether it boots from the HD or linux? Even if I get a new HD when this one dies I would like to know how to do that anyway. The idea of carrying my own OS around with me sounds nice.

No not at all. What the BIOS does, regardless of what OS you have installed is it checks for boot priorities. Thats just a numbered system that goes 1,2,3. So if 1 is set to hard drive, 2 to cd drive, 3 to external usb drive, it will search the hard drive, and boot from there. if it cant boot from there, it'll boot from a cd. If it can't boot from there, it'll boot from USB drive. And you can change this back and forth anytime by going into your bios anytime at startup. If you do eventually want to go back to using an internal hard drive, you can do so at any time without any adverse effects.

IrishTonyO · 03-07-2010 1:35pm

Run the disk check utility first, the noise could be coming from one of the fans either, it could be one of the fans is getting jammed, or has dust stuck in it.

when the laptop is booting up press f8 and select diagnosis and run all the checks there to see if any errors are reported

bonzodog2 · 03-07-2010 1:36pm

You can change the boot order in the BIOS anytime you want, no bother there. I have a 1501 at home (but I'm not there right now). You'd probably get a disk the same size for 30-40; I got a 320GB 2.5" external (i.e. disk & case) for less than 50euro recently !

bonzodog2 · 03-07-2010 1:41pm

You could download and run CrystalDiskInfo, the data it tells you may need a bit of interpretation tho !

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 1:52pm

bonzodog2 wrote: »

I'd think a recent Linux distro would cope with the hardware on a 3yo machine. A good idea to identify the hardware you have tho, e.g. the graphics,sound,wifi

ATi Raedon Xpress 1150
Dell wireless 1390 WLAN Mini-card
Processor: AMD \Turion 64x2 Moblile Technology TL-60
SigmaTel High Definition Audio Codec

Improbable wrote: »

No not at all. What the BIOS does, regardless of what OS you have installed is it checks for boot priorities. Thats just a numbered system that goes 1,2,3. So if 1 is set to hard drive, 2 to cd drive, 3 to external usb drive, it will search the hard drive, and boot from there. if it cant boot from there, it'll boot from a cd. If it can't boot from there, it'll boot from USB drive. And you can change this back and forth anytime by going into your bios anytime at startup. If you do eventually want to go back to using an internal hard drive, you can do so at any time without any adverse effects.

Excellent, thanks for that!

IrishTonyO wrote: »

Run the disk check utility first, the noise could be coming from one of the fans either, it could be one of the fans is getting jammed, or has dust stuck in it.

when the laptop is booting up press f8 and select diagnosis and run all the checks there to see if any errors are reported

I will do that and get back to you guys on it.

Thanks again for all the help guys!

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 4:22pm

Right I think I have it figured out now, a friend came around and had a look and said it was defiantly the HD. That sucks.

I'm going to go with the USB linux for the time being if it breaks, then buy a new HD. What linux distribution would you recommend for running from a flash?

Improbable · 03-07-2010 4:36pm

I like ubuntu personally.

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 4:46pm

Improbable wrote: »

I like ubuntu personally.

Cheers mate I will give that one a bash.

the_syco · 03-07-2010 4:47pm

Instructions on how to replace the drive: http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1501/en/om_en/html/parts.htm#wp1076789

Above, with nicer pictures: http://www.ubuntu1501.com/2007/03/replacing-your-hard-drive.html

The person in the above swapped it for a HITACHI Travelstar 160GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 2.5 Notebook Hard Drive, which costs €45 at Dabs.ie

IrishTonyO · 03-07-2010 4:48pm

yeah reckon Ubuntu is best

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 4:53pm

the_syco wrote: »

Instructions on how to replace the drive: http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1501/en/om_en/html/parts.htm#wp1076789

Above, with nicer pictures: http://www.ubuntu1501.com/2007/03/replacing-your-hard-drive.html

The person in the above swapped it for a HITACHI Travelstar 160GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 2.5 Notebook Hard Drive, which costs €45 at Dabs.ie

Oh wow thanks mate! I thought the damage would be much more than that.

IrishTonyO wrote: »

yeah reckon Ubuntu is best

Just out of curiosity I see that it can be installed alongside my current OS on the HD(wont be doing that, will run from USB) but how would you choose which OS to use? You can pick in the BIOS on startup?

Improbable · 03-07-2010 4:54pm

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

Just out of curiosity I see that it can be installed alongside my current OS on the HD(wont be doing that, will run from USB) but how would you choose which OS to use? You can pick in the BIOS on startup?

yep, dual boots are awesome. and a very good choice to pick if you decide to stick with ubuntu but would still like access to windows.

IrishTonyO · 03-07-2010 4:54pm

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

Oh wow thanks mate! I thought the damage would be much more than that.

Just out of curiosity I see that it can be installed alongside my current OS on the HD(wont be doing that, will run from USB) but how would you choose which OS to use? You can pick in the BIOS on startup?

You get a multiboot option on startup where you can select which OS to run

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 4:58pm

Excellent stuff!

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 9:05pm

Well I have done all that and a currently running ubuntu from my USB, good times! However my wireless wont work.

I have used the interface to try and run some drivers that ubuntu says I need to enable but they wont work.

Improbable · 03-07-2010 9:09pm

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

Well I have done all that and a currently running ubuntu from my USB, good times! However my wireless wont work.

I have used the interface to try and run some drivers that ubuntu says I need to enable but they wont work.

I would suggest posting here:

http://ubuntuforums.org/

They'll be able to give you more specific advice and probably have more expertise than those of us who post here.

Wolfe Tone · 03-07-2010 9:11pm

Improbable wrote: »

I would suggest posting here:

http://ubuntuforums.org/

They'll be able to give you more specific advice and probably have more expertise than those of us who post here.

Cheers man, will do.

Snowbat · 04-07-2010 3:21pm

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1465617

Hook up an ethernet cable and install the bcmwl-kernel-source package.

Wolfe Tone · 04-07-2010 3:23pm

Snowbat wrote: »

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1465617

Hook up an ethernet cable and install the bcmwl-kernel-source package.

Thank you so much.

Wolfe Tone · 13-07-2010 11:06pm

Just an Update: I am now not entirely sure if it is the HD....

A few times over the past few days it has completely frozen, then turned off(while running windows). I thought that was the hd caput initially, but I was able to access the HD from within Ubuntu.

After the lappy froze I tried to turn it on straight away, to be greeted with "cant find OS". 10 mins later it worked grand.

So may the laptop just be overheating? The scratching sound seems to have dissipated....

mp22 · 14-07-2010 6:27am

Still sounds like the hd,the fact that it wont read the os,but can be accessed from a usb live os,would only confirm a hd on the way out (imo).

Wolfe Tone · 14-07-2010 1:23pm

Well the OS(windows) wouldn't run today at all, It would get to the windows loading bit, then crash back out to restart, then the computer said to run a "startup recovery" which I did, and about an hour later it said it had found a problem and fixed it, a corrupt file directory I think it said.

Now it seems to be working.... I am on windows now.

Weird Noise from Laptop

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