Linux, Anyone?

[Dark_Soul74]

Since I've recently decided to (up/down?)grade to Linux, from Windows(Since my hard drive apparently has the unique ability to make a loud sound and fail to load, then eventually work after several crashes or series of loud sounds, then crash again when Windows is finished loading itself(Not a RAM, video card, or PSU problem, at least)), which limits me from entering Windows, even in Safe Mode. Luckily, since I had a random Gentoo bootdisk, I managed to install Linux and find the internet browser. However, I'm still quite lost when it comes to commands, especially regarding the use of different program files(namely NetHack and ircii so I can have some fun...), since I can unpack the files, but I can't actually figure out how to use them.

So, overall:

A) Any definite cause that matches my computer's symptons, other than harddrive failure?

B) Help using Linux. Please!

(And not visiting Warboards more is not a viable cause for my computer problems)

[WeekendLazyness]

It's not a unique ability, they've been including it as a feature since they starting making them.

Oh, if only you had posted before installing Linux. I would have told you to pop in the Windows XP cd, run recovery console, and type in "chkdsk -r" which would find and repair bad sectors. I've seen that program do everything from improve performance to bring a computer back to life, and everything in between (such as failing to do anything because the hard drive had suffered a horrible head crash). You could still try it, see if it works.

As for Linux, idk.

[Dark_Soul74]

I've actually attempted to use recovery console and simply reinstall, but it freezes up when it starts to read the drive. Probably worth mentioning... >_>

[TimP]

Your hard drive definitely sounds hosed. I would recommend buying a new one since they're so cheap, it's not worth the frustration of using a half broken drive.

[WeekendLazyness]

Did you use the chkdsk -r program? It finds and repairs bad sectors on the disk. The drive will just keep crashing even if you do try to reinstall if you didn't do the chkdsk first. If you did, that means something like the following happened:

They had been friends ever since they were born. She was a hard drive head, he was a platter. Unfortunately, like all platters, he had very sensitive skin, and could never be touched. He was also spinning at 40mph. Through months (possibly years) of being so close, yet so far, they decided that they had to touch, even if it did mean they would die. They decided that they would do it at next boot, when it was easiest to do it. Unfortunately, several seconds afterwards, a stray piece of dust had settled on the platter, and before she could move out of the way, it hit her and put a disfiguring scar in him and completely destroyed her read head. The drive soon died of complications.