Hi, my computer which is little under a year old has been working fine, until recently. My Processor, keeps making a weird noise, like a scratching noise. I've cleaned it, and for a few days it seemed like it was back to normal. But it started again. When the processor does this, I get small vertical lines flash across my screen, often around this size and height "|". However these start to get bigger and happen more often until eventually the computer switches off and I need to turn it off, then on again at the mains. Sometimes when switchin it back on, It comes up Overclocking failed, but I have not tried to overclock it. Unfortunately, I don't know an awful lot about computers, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Billy

I think we're gonna need clarification in terminology. A processor is the main chip in the motherboard. Your's would be an Athlon64 3500+. Processors don't make noise...they have no moving parts. Most noise usually comes from fans and hard drives. My guess is you're referring to the case & all the hardware inside as the processor? "I get small vertical lines flash across my screen, often around this size and height "|"." That would seem to be an issue with your video card. It's possible the cooling fan on the card is failing, causing it to overheat...but that doesn't explain the "Overclocking failed" message ASUS A7N8X-X Athlon XP 1800+ 8.5 x 200MHz 1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7 Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB WinME/WinXP Pro SP2

Definitly the fan on the video card has crapped out. This happened to my GF4 abot a week ago then it started with the same garbled lines. Eventualy it wouldnt display over 4bt color in 640*480. I advise you to unclock your system and if possible replace the fan ASAP. Why cant we put questions here?

Firstly, im do know somethings about computers. I haven't mistaken the box or "ALL" of the hardware as the processor, its just the noise is coming from the area where the processor is located. It will probably be the fan. However, the lines across the screen do seem weird for it to be the processor, and as for being a gamer, if this noise occurs then it makes the game go all funny and things start becoming transparent. But thanks for your comments. Also, pr3d, I haven't overclocked my system... which is why the "Overclocking Failed" seems rather strange, but thanks also for your comments and I will look at the video card. If anyone else has any information it would be greatly appreciated.

As the others already wrote some sort of scratching noise is very likely a fan that still turns but is going to die. Try to figure out if it is the cpu or graphic card and also check the cpu temperature in the bios or with some other program in windows. If the cpu gets really hot it's most likely the cpu fan. If it's no longer able to run at full speed the cpu will overheat and that may cause all sorts of strange behaviour. Because of the overclocking failed message my first guess would be the cpu! If you found our which fan it was replace it and in the meantime don't run it more than really necessary because an overheating cpu or gpu may be damaged!