Hard disk running powers down occasionally in windows

[djnsh]

My Pentium III 500 with Western Digital 20GB drive is three years old. In the last two months it has developed a problem which has occured more and more recently until it is now almost unusable. When it is switched on, it boots into windows98 fine however after about 5 minutes - it varies as much as up to an hour - the hard disk makes a powering down noise - like when you shut the computer down. It then powers up again just like when the computer is switched on. All this takes about 3 seconds however it freezes windows resulting in the need for reset. Hence the machine cannot be used for any sort of important work.
Do I need to buy a new Hard Disk completely and reload everything? Could the drive be overheating by fans being blocked by dust - its difficult to tell unless I open the case?
I have installed new and additional hard drives and other computer components over the years so any technical suggestions would be welcome.

 

[Snickle]

It does sound as if the drive is heating up, probably due to friction build-up in the bearings that the disks spin on. Or it could be a component on the circuit board mounted on the drive getting hot and cutting power to the motor. I'd be looking for a new drive starting yesterday.

 

[MA5]

Hi DJNSH
Test in safe mode to see if the problem is software related.
If it is not, do the following tests:
Put another HDD in and then test.
If no joy, test with a deferent PSU and your original HDD.
I suspect your HDD, it might be on its way out.

Good luck
PS. The above do not test for viruses.