Computers rarely fail without warning. Most give off small signals for weeks before something serious goes wrong — and catching them early is usually the difference between a quick tune-up and an expensive replacement.
1. It takes ages to start up
A slow boot is often caused by a failing hard drive or too many programs launching at startup. Both are easy to fix, but a failing drive needs attention before it takes your files with it.
2. The fan is always running
Constant fan noise means the computer is working hard to stay cool. Dust build-up, dried thermal paste or a background process gone rogue are the usual suspects.
3. Random crashes and blue screens
Occasional crashes can be software; frequent ones usually point to memory, drive or power problems that are worth testing properly.
4. Pop-ups and unfamiliar programs
If your browser homepage changed by itself or new toolbars appeared, you may have malware. Remove it quickly before it collects passwords.
5. Clicking or grinding sounds
Mechanical noises from a hard drive are a red flag. Back up immediately and book a check — recovering data before a drive fails completely is far easier.