My system "freaks out" while encoding...

[mmitchell_houston]

I'm running Win XP with a decent DVD/CDR burner (don't have the exact make off the top of my head). It's been working fine for about 18 months. I usually encode AVI files of various TV shows into MPEG-1/VCDs so I can watch them on my DVD set-top box downstairs with my wife.

Now, I don't get fancy with this. In fact, I usually just use NERO 6 to do the encoding and to author a very simple menu. I don't even bother with chapter breaks.

A few days ago I began to have a WEIRD problem. Encoding with NERO takes a long time so I usually leave the room and do other things while it's working. The other day I set up a VCD, left the room, and then much later heard this LOUD HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAL. I went back to the computer and the screen was dark and this LOUD sound was coming from the CPU box. The whole system was unresponsive so I had to power-down to stop it.

Since then, it's done this a two more times. Once while I was trying a new encoding app, and another while working with Nero. As I said, this is a new problem on a system that (according to all my spyware scans) is virus & Spyware free and has been running for more than 18 months.

Any thoughts on this?

Mike

[normcar]

I would use the HD utilities for your HD to check to see if it is failing. The noise may also be a fan, which may be running faster when the temp climbs, but probably not if it rarely happens.

[mmitchell_houston]

It's definitely not a fan noise, but I'll run a check on the HD. I doubt that's it, though -- no other symptoms and this isn't the only processor intensive activity I do. Nevertheless, the HD scan is a good idea.