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MSFS - a hard disk killer? Or is it a virus?

J

jhefner

Charter Member
As I mentioned before, I have two computers at home.

One is a Compaq that I purchased nine years ago. Aside from changing out the graphics card, mouse and keyboard, the rest of the system is original.

I had no problems with it until the end of last year; when I started hearing what I think they call the "click of death." The original hard drive sounds to have died with a failure of the head/write heads. I wasn't too alarmed over this, given the age of the machine and how much it is used.

The second one is a newer Compaq my daughter was given second hand. I could tell we were having issues with viruses; despite my efforts to beat them back. Finally, it went into a never ending loop on reboot; which from what I read was either a hardware or OS problem.

So I took it to the local computer shop to be repaired. They are now telling me that there were 700 viruses(!) on the machine; but that it also needs a new hard disk.

I find it troubling that both machines, on which we run Flight Simulator (FS2002 on the older one, FS2004 on the newer one) both have sick hard drives. Could that be due to the high disk activity from games like MSFS? Or can a virus cause a hard disk hardware failure?

And I know this gets asked on a routine basis; but what anti-virus programs do you all recommend. I was already using Spybot S&D; and was using Norton for the firewall and virus protection until the subscription expired. Thanks in advance.

-James
 
Hard drives just wear out eventually.

I use the pay version of AVG. It's a bit more proactive than the free version and I like that.
 
I've tried probably every payware AV on the market and have settled on Kaspersky Internet Security (2010 version currently). I'm also running Malwarebytes and Spybot S&D along with a router firewall. Nothing has gotten past these thus far.
I've also installed Microsoft Security Essentials,a freeware program, on a spare notebook and am pleasantly surprised ....but it's early days yet. :d
 
I stuck Microsoft Security Essentials on a couple of old PC's in the basement I patched together from other old puters a couple of months ago and so far I havn't had any problems . It's free and not rated too bad from what I've read . http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

My main Flight Sim PC I have been using PC Tools Antivirus and Spyware that has worked fine and uses very little resources . I've also had good luck in the past with ESET .

Rich
 
They wear out after a while. The best thing you can do to preserve their lives (HD's) is to make the HD sleep if you leave your computer on. This way, they are basically not spooled up and working. Thats all the more time they will last.

HD's are pretty cheap these days. If you have a Fry's electronics around, check them out. 1TB drives are under $100.00 now. You might even find a 2TB drive for $120.00 on sale. Try also Newegg.com and see what they have.

There is one HD that is called 'green friendly' that has a built in sleep system, but some say to wait until it has had time to run a long life to see if it really is a better alternative.

Also, you might buy a second HD and get a socket link for it so that you can directly backup files to it. I have several and use them as backups and have FS (and some other games) on it which also helps in FS frame rates, having one drive running the OS, and the other running the game.

Some guys have shadow drives (alternate HD that creates shadow backups of the primary drive) which is great since if you get the ultimate grim virus or just a HD failure, you have a complete mirrored drive to reload back onto your computer.

also.... There are backup drive sites now, where you can upload your files to so if you travel alot, and your HD in your laptop has to be reformatted, you can just link into the internet and redownload all your data and be back up and running in no time. Apple has a data site which I think has part of it linked to me.com and the program iDrive or something like that. This system is your backup. You have to of course get the system and then set it up. I am sure other sites and companies are doing this now also.

Bill
 
To answer your original query, there is nothing inherent in any MSFS that makes your system any more or less vulnerable than any other software.

All software is susceptible to exploitation, especially if it touches the internet. You should invest in a good anti-virus system (there are a myriad of opinions on which is best....stick to what you're comfortable with) and keep the signatures up to date. If you have to subscribe to a service, do so.

Lionheart's comment's on HD's are dead on (I've decided Lionheart is a pretty smart dude...and I like flying his Kodiak). They will go bad, and usually at the worst time. HDD's are not expensive, but in most of our cases, the information on them is....so take out some insurance and make sure you have a backup somewhere, either on-line, or with an external HDD...see my comments reference virus software opinions...because everyone will have one regarding the best way to back up.

If your HDD goes bad, you can usually recover all the data, however you'll need to purchase programs that do that....they go for about 70 - 100 Dollars U.S. An external HDD will cost you much less than that and they come bundled with backup software to make the whole process painless (plug 'n play).

If you carry a laptop, buy HDD encryption. Sure, slows down the boot a bit, but the minute you lose or have your laptop stolen, you will be glad for that protection. Especially if you have your budget on the machine like so many people I know who wonder around with their whole lives in their Dell carry case....
 
Bjoern said:
Avira Antivir. Hasn't failed me in years.
Click to expand...

'tis good, very very good and miles ahead of AVG re: protection and in our area of flight simming and electronic entertainment, system resources.

PS, HDD's do just fail and wear over time although the life span is huuuuge, temperature can also have an effect as can dust, smoking etc etc etc etc etc
 
I am in agreement with everything stated by the others, the fact that you got 9 years out of a hard drive is above average, Hard drives, optical drives, and cooling fans/systems are really the only mechanical components in a computer. A standard hard drive is the one part of a system that gets the most wear and tear they spin at a very high rate of speed and anything that moves that much eventually wears out.

The comments and suggestions on Backups are right on, my motto "He who laughs last HAS a GOOD backup". I stress the has and good, because I have seen all kinds of stupid user tricks where people forget where they saved the backup, forgot the password to use it, of when it was finally needed and restored found out it was not backed up properly in the first place and was useless - that happens all the time!

"Gigs" recomendation has always been create a good backup plan and USE it, something simple that you can and will use regularly, and above all else once you have it set-up the way you like TEST the backup! Testing is easy just restore the backup to another system or hard drive and make sure everything you want safely backed up is there.

On the AV question, there are as many opinions as there are versions, the ones mentioned in this thread are all good. There are 2 important tips for AV/Spyware apps I always mention, don't double up on active AV protection such as installing AVG and Symantic, that can be a real performance killer and they really don't play together nice. The other is make sure your securoty software is up to date, you might as well have nothing if you don't keep it activally updated. I do like Teasea's comment about knowing how to use the AV application, that is bang on, so many people thing they can download an AV client install it and forget about it - not true! You can "get by" with letting AV software run in active mode and "hope" it catches everything, and keeps tself updated, but to do it right you need to checek the status regularly and run a regular manual scan from time to time just to be sure.

Best of luck, and good luck getting things up and running, after 9 years I would say that Compaq has served you very well, in computer years it is a very senior citizen :)
 
gigabyte said:
I am in agreement with everything stated by the others, the fact that you got 9 years out of a hard drive is above average, Hard drives, optical drives, and cooling fans/systems are really the only mechanical components in a computer. A standard hard drive is the one part of a system that gets the most wear and tear they spin at a very high rate of speed and anything that moves that much eventually wears out.

The comments and suggestions on Backups are right on, my motto "He who laughs last HAS a GOOD backup". I stress the has and good, because I have seen all kinds of stupid user tricks where people forget where they saved the backup, forgot the password to use it, of when it was finally needed and restored found out it was not backed up properly in the first place and was useless - that happens all the time!

"Gigs" recomendation has always been create a good backup plan and USE it, something simple that you can and will use regularly, and above all else once you have it set-up the way you like TEST the backup! Testing is easy just restore the backup to another system or hard drive and make sure everything you want safely backed up is there.

On the AV question, there are as many opinions as there are versions, the ones mentioned in this thread are all good. There are 2 important tips for AV/Spyware apps I always mention, don't double up on active AV protection such as installing AVG and Symantic, that can be a real performance killer and they really don't play together nice. The other is make sure your securoty software is up to date, you might as well have nothing if you don't keep it activally updated. I do like Teasea's comment about knowing how to use the AV application, that is bang on, so many people thing they can download an AV client install it and forget about it - not true! You can "get by" with letting AV software run in active mode and "hope" it catches everything, and keeps tself updated, but to do it right you need to checek the status regularly and run a regular manual scan from time to time just to be sure.

Best of luck, and good luck getting things up and running, after 9 years I would say that Compaq has served you very well, in computer years it is a very senior citizen :)
Click to expand...


Bang on!
 
I've gotten rid of all my payware Antivirus software and am only running Microsoft Security Essentials. No problems since it was installed last January.

My Webroot Spy Sweeper, the last with a subscription, expired today and it is gonnnnnne.

James, do yourself a favor.... build your own computer. It's not as hard as you might think... if I can do it you certainly can. ;) Compac computers are not all that great. I've had 2 over the years and never again. I'll build my own so I get what I want, not what they want to give me..... and mine are upgradeable where their's aren't.
 
I think GT 182 has discussed MSSE before, and I've heard nothing but good things about it.

I will keep with my current McAfee if only because my wife and kids are familiar with it and understand how it works. I also get a courtesy subscription through my work place.

He's right, you could build yourself a system...specifically oriented towards gaming.
 
TeaSea said:
Oh yeah James....you'll get advice here for sure!

We may not know what the hell we're talking about....but that hasn't stopped us yet!

:jump:
Click to expand...

:icon_lol:

I just got word from the shop that the newer of the two computers is ready. So, at least I am back up to one machine again.

Silly me had everything BUT my FS setup backed up; so time to find out what if anything I lost.

-James
 
The current life expectancy of a hard drive is 5 +/- years. Some last longer, some die in weeks. Get a good AV program and if your new HD is a SATA drive, this item is a great benefit, Aluratek - AHDDUB 100 external SATA Hard Drive duplicator. My HD was making lots of funny grinding noises and mystery beeps. I saw the above produce last Dec. at my local comp store. So when my machine started getting worse I reluctantly made the purchase along with a new HD. Quick formatted the HD, removed my C: HD from place it in source in the Aluratek and the new drive into target, pressed start and 40 minutes later a perfect copy of my HD, including all passwords, apps, the works. Plugged it into my computer and it never even knew it had a replacement HD. Another good FREE download is Belarc.com free advisor. Give you a complete inventory of all license keys, security update, serial numbers, etc. print it out and keep it safe. It is worth it.
 
I now have the newer of the two computers back from the shop. He already installed Avira Antivir, Spybot S&D, and some other software; so he basically echoed what was said here.

My FS2004 and CFS2 installations, along with my Surviving World Steam Project files and over a decade of pictures and documents are all intact; just have to reinstall TileProxy to complete the installation. I was a little less fortunate on the development side; I lost the source files to my "Early Fairchild" series, including the work-in-progress Fairchild 82. I was less than happy with the way it was going, anyway; the question is whether to release it as-is or not. Gmax, MDLC and all of my development tools will also have to be re-installed. But, considering the the circumstances; it could have been much worst.

I have one last question for the experts -- how about the firewall. Is the firewall built into Windows XP good enough, or do you recommend another?

-James
 
jhefner said:
I have one last question for the experts -- how about the firewall. Is the firewall built into Windows XP good enough, or do you recommend another?

-James
Click to expand...

Good news James glad you are getting things back in order, I bet you are releived. :)

On the firewall question, that is kind of like the AV thing, there are lots of options and as many opinions. The first thing to consider is your internet connection, if you have high speed - DSL, ADSL, or Cable and use a router of any kind you may not need anything more. Most hardware routers even the inexpensive one's have a built in firewall, it is not top of the line but in your situation would be a good choice. The advantage of using the router firewall is you do not need to use any of your systems resources, which is key on older systems. If you feel the need for a software firewall there are plenty, and the MS option works as well as any, I also like Zone Alarm, but if you go that route be prepared to train the software to the sites you consider safe there will be a lot of pop up requests to confirm sites and apps. Both the built in Windows Firewall and Zone Alarm are free so if you go the software route take your pick.
 
I used Zone Alarm for years and ran it on my router and liked that set up. However I switched to McAfee because it was an all inclusive package and constantly playing firewall got to be trying. Also, I got very tired of constantly telling Zone Alarm what was acceptable and what wasn't. That's a good point that Gigabyte has made. It's both an advantage and disadvantage depending on how you're using it.

I would not recommend running both the windows firewall and a separate firewall together, although I know some folks who do.
 
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