• Computers 
  • My laptop fan has starter going on/off over and over.
5/10/2014
jbow
I hear it run for a couple of seconds then off for a few then back on for a couple... over and over. Is this an indication of anything common? Until recently I never heard it come on except rarely when it would get hot from sitting somewhere the vents couldn't get enough air. The end vent is always clear, sometimes the vent on the bottom is on my leg.
Is this an indication that I should open it and clean it?
 
Thanks for any ideas. I do not have an image of my HD. I guess I really should get an external drive and software so I can make one. Is Acronis True Image the best or can I do it with W7 or is there a free utility. I want something easy that will just make clone of my drive without me having to choose a bunch of options I don't know about.
 
But about the fan...??
 
J
5/10/2014
fireberd
It sounds like the CPU cooling fan is what you hear.  Could just be something blocking air flow, could be the CPU heatsink is not making proper contact (loose), could be a bad thermal sensor, overworking it in an area that is hot or no air flow, etc - many potentials.
 
If the PC is still in warranty, contact HP.   HP is the only one that can fix it under warranty. 
If its out of warranty, and you are comfortable with PC hardware consider cleaning it out.  If not, take it to a trusted PC repair shop and have them go through it.
 
I use Macrium Reflect (paid version) for my backups.   They have a free version that many use.  Acronis is also popular and I used it for a long time before switching to Macrium last year.  Of the two, I like Macrium better. 
5/10/2014
jbow
Acronis True Image Premium is on sale for 54.99 http://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/transfer-pc-files/
I have a case so I could D/L Acronis and pick up a 1TB HD while I am out today.
 
Questions:
> The HD I am cloning is 750G, so a 1TB drive for backup should be right... right?
> Also, I don't have to worry about the speed of the backup drive, right? My drive now is 7200 RPM but the backup drive can be a cheaper 5500 RPM since I won't be running it to much, is that right?
> Should I look at Paragon instead? I noticed that these two offer the most features. I also want it to be easy to transfer or migrate to a new drive if this one fails.
 
I also noticed that some programs don't remove empty space between files. I guess that would be like doing a defrag while backing up and transferring to a new drive... I guess. I wish there was a program that would move all my programs to the OS drive, all my VSTs to one drive, and all my samples, MIDI and audio to another drive or folder. I didn't pay enough attention in the past and now have to scan about ten different places for VSTs... it works but it kinda bothers me. I'm going to fix it when I get a new DAW. My target is a new Studiocat October, 1 2014.
 
Thanks for the guidance!
 
Julien
 
5/10/2014
jbow
fireberd
It sounds like the CPU cooling fan is what you hear.  Could just be something blocking air flow, could be the CPU heatsink is not making proper contact (loose), could be a bad thermal sensor, overworking it in an area that is hot or no air flow, etc - many potentials.
 
If the PC is still in warranty, contact HP.   HP is the only one that can fix it under warranty. 
If its out of warranty, and you are comfortable with PC hardware consider cleaning it out.  If not, take it to a trusted PC repair shop and have them go through it.
 
I use Macrium Reflect (paid version) for my backups.   They have a free version that many use.  Acronis is also popular and I used it for a long time before switching to Macrium last year.  Of the two, I like Macrium better. 




Thanks Fireberd. I will look at Macrium right now. My PC is no longer under warranty. I'm not afraid to open it and blow some are and check to see if the heatsink is tight.. I'll rub a dryer sheet over my hands before I do to try to be sure I don't have any static charge. I do have a wire with an alligator clip but I wouldn't know where to hook it on a computer. I've used it on tube electronics to drain caps. I'll just be careful but I'll get the drive, software, and make a drive image before I clean it... just in case.
 
Thanks for the reply Fireberd. The air is coming out a vent on the end and it is quite warm. Ive just never noticed it cycling on and off like this before. It has been a good computer.
 
Julien
 
5/10/2014
fireberd
Backup programs compress the data when backing up.  Depending on how much data you have, the 1TB should be good for at least two full hard drive backups.   I like to do full hard drive (all partition) backups.  Most backup programs, including Acronis, also have options to do "incremental" backups (only data that has changed since last backup) but I don't like that as it can get confusing when trying to restore.  With the full backup there is only one backup file needed to restore. 
 
If you have an external case for a hard drive, make sure you get the type of hard drive that the case supports.  Options are PATA (IDE) or SATA interface.   Drives in recent/new computers are all SATA.  Backup drive speed is not a major issue.  A 5400 rpm drive will serve well.
5/10/2014
jbow
I'll consider it but it is 90 bucks for 4 computers, I have 3 now and will be getting another.
5/10/2014
jbow
Thanks, I will take the case with me. It is actually a backup drive case I bought a couple of years ago. It may have a drive in it... I could never figure out how to use it. It is a 2.5 USB 2.0 One Button Backup Case. It is a CP Technologies, CP-UB-200 Platinum Series. It has a driver CDR. It is this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817180007
http://www.amazon.com/CP-Technologies-External-2-5-Inch-CP-UB-200/dp/B000ED169M
I wonder if it already has backup software. I'll try again to understand it. IT has this "one button backup" and I am not sure if it clones or what it does.
 
I may just buy a regular case and use this for backing up files... it confuses me.
 
J
5/10/2014
jbow
It doesn't have a drive in it but I am uncertain about what it will and will not do. I think I'll just buy a case and matching HD and get software that I know will work. This case should do fine for backing up some files on an older computer. It has W7 drivers available for download but I don't see any W8 drivers.
I like easy and nothing seems to be... but I'll figure it out, just not with this "one button" backup.
 
Thanks for the advice!
 
J
5/10/2014
Jim Roseberry
The fan might be obstructed by "dust bunnies".
You can open the case (if that doesn't void the warranty) and check/clean with compressed air.
 
You'll be fine with a 1TB external HD... using any of the popular backup software applications.
If you get a retail package of Acronis True Image, the install disc is also what they call a Bootable Rescue Disc.
You can boot the machine from this disc... and create/restore any backup image file.
A very clean/lean way to approach backup/restore...
5/10/2014
slartabartfast
High temperatures somewhere in the system is a good guess. 
 
http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/
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