Help, my computer is um, possessed it think (see details)?

Question

I am usally good with computers, but this i do not understand. My old computer, when you turn it on says verifying data, then shols this...
"L 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 "
What is this, it makes a clicking sound (from the hard drive) each time it showa a 99. and it keeps rattling. WHAT IS WRONG?

What is L, and why so many 99`s

its a computer froom 1997. so yes, its old.

Answer 1

Has it ever had Linux on it? Cause I think GRUB (which is the loader that loads up Linux) does this when there's something wrong.

Get your windows disc and reformat the computer.

Answer 2

Dont know,
but try these.

Power off, remove an reseat each drive cable.
Reseat the ram while you are there.
There is a BIOS chip in a socket, push that in, because it gets loose over the years of temperature cycling, and pops out of the socket a bit.

Power on, press Delete key to get into the setup.
Check and write down your hard disk information.
Tracks, sectors cylinders etc. You didnt say how old it was.
Old machines have the bios chip in a socket, newere ones are soldered down.
Check your bios screen for the hard disk, and set the type to AUTO ( auto detect).

Other things,

Try a boot disk, from someone with the same operating system.
For win98,
Make one, insert a blank disk into drive A:
Go to a command prompt. Start, programs, acccessories, command prompt.

A:
sys c: a:
exit

Thats it. this disk should boot in your PC.

Also:
Find someone with another similar power supply and try to swap out the supply and see of the problem persists.

If it is very old, change the BIOS battery.
CR2032, looks like a quarter.
Change it with the power on, or you will loose your settings.

If you loose your settings, change the hard disk type to AUTO detect, ( all 4 places) and change your printer LPT port to ECC+EPP, or it wont work with modern printers.

Answer 3

http://www.betaone.net/forum/archive/?t-4168.html

Sounds like a problem with VM ware...search on "verifying data" and "99 99 99 99" you should get some good results

Answer 4

Replace your keyboard. That will take care of it. You have stuck keys or a faulty keyboard. Have you ever spilled anything sticky on it? Do you have another keyboard you could try before you buy a new one? If you have another keyboard laying around plug it in to your comp and I'll bet the problem is gone.

Answer 5

I had an old laptop that did that. That is usually a sign your hard drive is worn out. If you take the hard drive you have to a computer store thay should be able to match it in any size you want.

Answer 6

Don't know but have your tried full pc recovery on it to try to restore it to factory settlings?

Answer 7

Any loud, strange sounds coming from your hard drive means that your hard drive is busted.

Just buy a new one, or - go call a psychic. :)

Answer 8

if its that old, then you just need a new computer. 1997? whoa dude. no wonder its having issues.

Answer 9

thats not a good sign

Answer 10

OHH NOTHING YOU JUST NEED A NEW KEYBOARD SEEMS LIKE THE 9 GETS STUCK ...SO ITS NOT POSSESSED