Locking up comp in XP and Linux

[servano]

Hi everyone,
So the comp mentioned in my sig is locking up in both windows XP and Linux. It is semi random. I was hearing odd click noises from my HD and whenever I bump/nudge the computer that would cause the whole system to freeze. Replaced the HD thinking that was the problem and still got lockup. Also randomly locks if I leave it on for 3 days and am in the middle of using the sys. I let it sit over summer but need it back up now, any ideas on the culprit?

 

[HappyCracker]

Those aren't deathstar hard drives are they? Also, how old is the motherboard? Check its capacitors for bulging, leaking, etc. You don't have everything running off of one power lead do you? I once thought it would be slick to hook up all my drives to one lead and would hear the hard drives click. I got wise, fixed it, and no more clicky.
Is everything seated correctly and how hard are you nudging?

 

[FishTankX]

Heatsink seated properly?

Heatsink full of dust?

IDE cables bad?

 

[servano]

Tried swapping IDE cables, and blowing through 2 cans of air, no go. Heatsink is on right with thermal paste. I'll look at the capacitors in morn, I'm assuming the bulge in a bad one will be prety noticable?? Mobo is 3yrs old.

 

[PsharkJF]

Re :Thread title
Intel, Dell, Microsoft, honestly.

 

[0roo0roo]

ouch both os? could be mb, os, ram, etc. nightmare time wee!

 

[nageov3t]

have you checked the standard trinity of random computer failures?

RAM, Mobo Capacitors, and CPU.

 

[HappyCracker]

Any capacitor that doesn't have a perfectly flat top has probably failed. You'll know just by putting your finger on top of one.