Field Value
Motherboard Name ECS P4VXAD(+)/P4VXAS(2)/P4VXMD/P4VXMS / Matsonic MS9107C / Kobian KOB P4X266 NFSX/P4X266 WFSX/P4X266a NDSUX/P4X333 NDSX

my hard drive just made a very loud noise right now...a very high pitch grinding for like a second!?

If it only does it once it may be because of Everest Home scanning it, if it happens again it could be a whole other issue...can you post what kind of hard drive you have (available in Everest Home, click on "Storage", "Physical Drives", and post the one representing your hard drive, like mine would be Seagate ST316002ACE 160GB)

Also, here's info on your memory: Matsonic MS9107C Motherboard Memory
I'd recommend getting one 512mb stick and using it with your existing 256mb to make 768mb, it doesn't seem like you'll need more but if you want more, your board supports 3GB max

Drive
Drive #1 - WDC WD400EB-00CPF0 (37 GB)

Western Digital=never had any problems ha

I don't think you should be concerned right now, if it happens again though, definetly do these three things:

1. Post a thread here for possible explanations/solutions
2. back up your important files, just in case (better safe than sorry)
3. Be prepared to possibly buy a new HD in the event that your current one is going south

it didnt do it again

but if it did go south, what would you suggest to replace it?
i dont have much on this computer. i recently cleaned it out...but i wanna improve memory and performance, storage..etc..
so i want the quality you know.

Clearly you don't want to go with more than you need, that's just a waste of money.
If you don't mind doing ebay then I can link you some good buy it now listings, I built most of my computer with parts off ebay

yeah that would be cool
shoot em over

Sorry if i repeat myself..but, what are the main things that will improve system performance

i know ram is one of them, any more for future reference?