Hard Drive problem?

[ProgMtl]

My computer keeps locking up at random times (usually with the hard drive light off).

I've had it in the shop and they have tested the memory, video card, operating system, etc.

The other day (been out of my house 3 days because of the fires here in San Diego) the computer locked up with the hard drive light on.

Does this sound like my hard drive is failing? And if so, when I buy a new hard drive can I just copy everything from my current drive to it and then use that as my boot drive?

Thanks

 

[_simon_]

Had this problem with my partners PC a few years ago. We swapped the PSU, HDD, added extra cooling. Turned out to be the motherboard.

I guess the shop couldn't find a problem?

Personally I'd buy the cheapest drive you can and install the very basics and see what happens. If it doesn't lockup then you know the drive was the problem. If it does then at least you haven't spent a lot of money on a large expensive drive.

 

[ProgMtl]

Good point!! I will just buy a small IDE drive and reinstall Windows XP on it and see if it works without locking up.

It's a Socket 478 P4 3.2 that I'm giving to my step daughter...don't want to have to buy another mobo if I can help it (not sure if there are still any socket 478's around for a decent price).