Is my laptop dying?

[jizzybloke]

When i switch on this laptop the toshiba logo comes on but then all i get is a little flashing cursor in the top left of the screen after a few minutes a few lines of writing comes up, something about an error somewhere?
I turn it on and off a bunch of times until finally it works, i can usually tell when it'll work cos i hear a pingy whizzy (sorry to get technical) sort of noise when i turn off then next time i turn back on it'll work properly.
It's getting old now and i keep saying i'll buy a new one but i'm being tight at the moment!

[davearn]

I would back up everything on your hard drive that you don't want to lose if I was you. And quickly....

[Norton]

I would back up everything on your hard drive that you don't want to lose if I was you. And quickly....

pingy whizzy (sorry to get technical) sort of noise

Listen to Dave!!! Pingy whizzy noise always precedes the death rattle.

[neophoenix]

Yes do back up everything. Your laptop is not getting though its bootup. You have something failing..could be the motherboard or the hard drive. Bad news.

If it is the hard drive it is could be replaced but it would cost ya. And if it the motherboard you got yourself a great door stop. What is the error that it is saying when you power it on?