Packard Bell PC

A

azwebs

New Member
OK. I posted a while back, about my sister having bought a Packard Bell PC. At the time, the hard drive was making loud clicking noises. We went back to the shop, and were told it was normal. We argued, while I tried to convince them it wasn't. They refused to replace the drive.

It's been about 9-10 weeks since then, and am still having the horrible clicking noise. I had it today, installing some software (stuff like Office 2007, a couple of games - mainly Call of Duty 4 and Crysis). Since I'd got the PC, had seemed to be making a louder noise, but carried on anyway. Started making rythmic clicking noises, so I shutdown and opened it up. Nothing seemed wrong, not even a warm hard drive. It wasn't fitted tightly or anything, so couldn't see any problem.

Turned it back on, and got a start up repair message, saying the computer had failed to start. Said it couldn't read from the hard drive, which is funny, because the repair utility is on the hard drive (and had no removeable media connected).

Booted up again, and ran CCleaner to clear temporary files and crap (which always build up quickly for me), and did a quick scan of the registry to check for any problems. None related to the error, only a removed installation from a few weeks back. Some keys/extensions weren't removed.

Rebooted again, and still a loud clicking noise. Also getting a RunDLL error message every start up.

Error loading: C:\Users\Josh\AppData\Local\Temp\ddcASJBr.dll
Access is denied.

Not sure where to go from here. Can't get in touch with the store for another 3 days. Any ideas anyone?

Thanks.
 
azwebs said:
Rebooted again, and still a loud clicking noise. Also getting a RunDLL error message every start up.

Error loading: C:\Users\Josh\AppData\Local\Temp\ddcASJBr.dll
Access is denied.
Click to expand...

I've identified this as a program called MSServer (according to startup processes/programs listed in CCleaner).

There are also two other files, referred to as:

rundll32.exe C:\Users\Josh\AppData\Local\Temp\ddcASJBr.dll,#1
rundll32.exe C:\Users\Josh\AppData\Local\Temp\pmnnkjKE.dll,c
rundll32.exe C:\Users\Josh\AppData\Local\Temp\ktkubnhx.dll",b

pmnnkjKE.dll is referred to as cmds in the program column, and ktkubnhx.dll is referred to as 2ea95b49.

Other rundll32.exe files include Windows Welcome Center, NvMediaCenter and NvCplDaemon. These are normal - I've noticed them before. I haven't noticed the others before today, though.

Thanks, and sorry for double posting.
 
I just went and looked at the processes list in Windows, and one of them has been identified as a Trojan by AVG. Another was also detected (which is not listed above, and according to research, probably called by another DLL which has already executed). I'm going to run a virus scan to try and deal with these now.

Still, does anyone have any ideas about the hard drive noise? I just can't get the store to replace it. Any arguments to put forward that might be useful?

Thanks.
 
Well, the HDD definitely shouldn't be making that kind of noise. Are you sure it is that HDD and not another component making that sound? (Have to make sure :p). If it is, then I would replace it. I could be a few different internal parts are not in right, or you just have a really low quality drive. Sorry if this is no help at all.
 
atentora said:
Well, the HDD definitely shouldn't be making that kind of noise. Are you sure it is that HDD and not another component making that sound? (Have to make sure :p). If it is, then I would replace it. I could be a few different internal parts are not in right, or you just have a really low quality drive. Sorry if this is no help at all.
Click to expand...

You gave me an idea there. I put the SeaTools disk in the drive (a Seagate 750GB Barracuda is installed), and ran an acoustic test (where the drive is powered down, and the spun up). On the power down, the clicking faded and silenced for a few seconds, but on spin up, it whirred and clicked like crazy (just as it does when loading Windows, 3DS Max, Crysis and loads of other stuff). The only other sound from the machine is the very faint whisper of the case fan, and the processor cooler (a Cooler Master 8cm fan and funnel combination, channeling air to a vent on the side).

I guess that I might just have a low quality drive, but if so, it's only 9 weeks old and that's gonna piss me off big time. I will see what I can do about a replacement, and if this fixes my problem, I will have a friend at the local PC shop send them a report on the repair. I expect to be reimbursed for the drive at least - the labour isn't such a problem though.

Thanks for the help, atentora.

EDIT: The drive is a SeaGate ST3750840AS SATA II 750GB Barracuda. I can't find one on sale in the UK, or the US online. I checked ebuyer, scan and newegg - nothing. Anyone have any information on these that might be helpful? I'm sure it is connected right, and has the latest firmware (came shipped like that, but is still newest).
 
Last edited:
As already stated, you should not be hearing that loud of a clicking noise. My advice to you is to replace it. It would be nice if a drive diagnostics program would catch a clicking drive but they do not. I have a 250 WD SATA drive and it clicks every now and then from the day i got it. I'm running raid 1 with another 250 gb Seagate drive.
 
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