Why is my computer torturing me?!

[Golden_Griff]

It was doing so well the first few weeks of school but now I'm noticing that it's doing this weird "freeze-up-while-you're-in-the-middle-of-something" thing.

I began to first notice it last semester: my computer would freeze, forcing me to have to reboot. It was a constant thing. I thought it was a virus or spyware at work but I have virus protection (provided by the school) and the anti-spyware never seems to pick up anything.

Some symptoms my computer shows when it's not in the best working order include:

• both lights on the hard drive (or the "mother brain" as I like to call it) are on
• my cd drive won't work--it won't read my cds. On top of that, when I access "My Computer" the cd drive won't even show
• I notice that the light to my cd-rw drive is blinking like it's busy at something (which it shouldn't be provided there's no cd in the drive)

I really thought that whatever it was that was making my computer act crazy the first time it disappeared but I can see that isn't so. I really don't know what else to do about it. If it would make some difference in knowing, my computer is about 6 years old.

Please help someone!

~G_G

PS: Great, on top of all this, somehow I was mysteriously disconnected from the internet ...again

I pay too much blooming money to go to this school for this mess!



PSS: Oh, scratch that. I was able to pull up Yahoo so it must be CAA

[Mithrandir]

That really sounds like your IDE controller is over heating. I'd recommend opening it up and blowing all the dust out. Then check all your IDE cables for kinks or fractures. Finally, re-assimble the box and keep it in a well-ventalated area.

[Golden_Griff]

...*consults computer manual to find out what an IDE is*

um..........you're talking about the "mother brain" right?

[TheMelodyMaker]

I can help here. The IDE cables are the big greyish ones (with a purplish tinge on one edge) that are connected to the back of your hard drive(s) and CD drive(s).

[Mithrandir]

..uh, yeah. They are in the "mother brain" box, if you want to call it that. The thing is, lots of computer problems these days are directly related to overheating. So blowing the dust out can help.

[Golden_Griff]

Yes, I know my computer intellect isn't as sharp as other people here

Anyway, thanks for the advice guys. Hopefully this will fix the problem

[Mithrandir]

Sorry! I didn't mean it *that* way. Although, when I look back at it, it's kinda abrasive.

Gomen Nasai!