Multiple issues

Hrax

Hrax

Hrax

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Joined
9 Jan 2012
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3
Hi guys, I'm new around these parts so be gentle ;)

I've recently noticed a couple of issues with my PC but first some background. The PC is a HP Pavillion Somethingorother and is 3 years old. It has a triple core AMD Phenom 8750, 4GB of RAM, 300w PSU and a Geforce GT 120. Yeah I know, quite the beast. :(

Recently I have noticed periods of severe fps slowdown when playing games that last for a couple of minutes at a time. These seem to happen regardless of the game (I've experienced it whilst playing WoW, Orcs Must Die, Red Faction, Neverwinter Nights, The Old Republic MMO and the KOTOR single player RPG). As mentioned the low frame rate will last a couple of minutes and then sort itself out. Sometimes minimizing the game will speed things back up quicker.

A friend at work mentioned that it could be my graphics card overheating, then when it drops in temp the framerate resumes. I booted my PC with the case open and noticed that the fan on the graphics card rarely spins, when it does it does so in a "drunken" and very slow fashion. The fan will move a part revolution and then stop, then move again, maybe managing 15-20 RPM.

To add to this yesterday upon booting the PC informed me that my hard disk would fail imminently. I have backed up all of my docs to a second drive however my PC neither came with a copy of Windows, a recovery disc or the standard HP recovery disc creation program.

I have neither the funds to buy a complete system nor the ability to obtain finance however can afford to buy components every month or so to upgrade my PC.

Onto my questions if I may:

1. What is my best course of action to maintain a working PC?
2. Following the stabilising of my PC and assuming that it is up and running as per the spec posted above; in what order should I upgrade components?

many thanks
 
Hard disk faliure can cause umpteen seemingly unrelated issues. A new hard disk would probably solve all the problems.
 
Hello amd welcome to the forum :)

I would say your gpu fan is a bit screwed, it may be worth looking at replacing this first, either a new cooler or I suspect a complete new GPU.

On the hard drive from it may worth running something like HD Tune or HD Tach, this will scan the hard drive for errors.

Being a HP pc I would be inclined to save up over the coming months and do the case, psu, motherboard ect all in one hit.

Is it possible to get the whole unit details, or link too the HP model page.
 
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You would need an OEM version of whatever Windows edition you use - that will work with the CD key you have stuck to the machine. Just done the same on a 4 year old Dell. I'm sure you could find a disc image with a little searching around.

A reformat and a new GPU fan (or a replacement graphic card) should see you well.
 
There is some software that recovers/displays your windows registration key,but its been so long since I've used it I've forgotten what it was called,maybe a quick Google would help
 
yeah have a look for the windows sticker on the PC and the code... as for the the rest of the story you are far better off saving up and buying in one hit a new PC
 
wazza300 said:
There is some software that recovers/displays your windows registration key,but its been so long since I've used it I've forgotten what it wad called,maybe a quick Google would help
Click to expand...

Magic Jelly bean.

The op does not have the disc, the license should be on the side of the case.
 
I've got my windows key, am I correct in assuming that the copy I have would be an OEM copy of windows i.e limited to the motherboard it is first installed on.

As I have the key and am using the same motherboard is there a legitimate yet free way for me to get hold of windows so I can install it on a new hard disk using my existing key?
 
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