Could Something Be Wrong With My Computer?

Question

My windows crashed yesturday, and i had to reformat. Windows would boot, but once it booted fully i couldn't do anything and had a constant hour glass symbol. Tried to restore, but the same thing was happening even if i went back 2 months. Now, when i start it up, its extremely quiet. Usually i can hear it, kind of sounds like a mini jet engine, but nothing now. I looked in the back and both fans are still running. Everything seems fine, just..............doesn't sound normal, if you understand what i mean, lol. What could be the problem?

Answer 1

The jet engine sound you describe could be attributed to the malicious software you had prior to reformatting that was eating up your CPU cycles, in turn causing your CPU and case fan to compensate for the extra heat.

If you are really curious, download this tiny 7 kilobyte program that will test your CPU to it's max. After letting it run for 3-5 minutes your computer should sound like a "jet engine" again, confirming that your system is operating completely normal, and also to confirm that the sound you heard was the fans in the first place.
If for some reason your computer freezes or shuts off while being tested, assume that faulty cooling could be an issue. (bad fan)

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Benchmarks/CPU-Burnin.shtml

Answer 2

Do you mean "Reformat" as in - all files were deleted. Or was Windows "repaired" (everything looked the same, same programs, same saved files)


It could actually be a good sign if it sounds quieter. If you have an OEM machine (Like, Compaq, acer, dell, or some other company) they certainly monitor their CPU fans - the #1 fan you got to worry about. It won't even start up - and tell you why - if that is the problem.

It really comes down to what brand computer yours is -- some OEMs (Original Equipment Manufactures) have fans spin up based on temperature - but not the popular/big ones like Compaq,acer,dell,hp,etc. I'm also assuming this is a DESKTOP computer. (If it's a Laptop, the noise/fans are based purely on temperature, they're not always on, so the noise depends on how active the components they are on are - cpu/video)


Another possibility is the noise you were hearing was hard drive access. A highly fragmented hard drive that is being accessed might sound different or "more busy" and certainly take more time. Fragmentation can be prevented by defragmenting the hard drive (right click my computer, choose manage, then disk defragmenter)

A format would certainly erase all fragmentation :)


To sum up:
1) If a laptop, totally normal, whatever you were doing before simply caused more access or usage, which caused more heat, which caused more fan use - which caused more noise.

2) If an "off brand" or "specialized/custom" desktop machine, it might be setup purposefully that way.

3) If a popular desktop brand, it's most likely the hard drive noise you were hearing before, possibly a highly fragmented hard drive - you need to periodically defragment it, right click my computer, go to manage, then disk defragmenter. Popular desktop brand have SET CPU FAN RPMS (fan RPM does not increase, nor decrease, as a result of heat - it's at max)

Answer 3

If you reformted the computer and now its quiet, thats a good thing, the fans will really start blazzing sometimes when you have alot of programs starting up like you probably did.

You might also have a fan issue if you see if come back. If you notice the system freezes like you mentioned you could have a heat issue.