Ominous sound on my computer - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Titan · 01-28-2008, 11:16 AM

It sounds like a loud whirring/clunking/grinding. I assumed it was the hard drive but everthing is working properly. It is not the disc drives as when those ramp up there is not any change in the sound. It occassionally will get worse and then go back to more of a constant hirring/clunking/grinding sound. It sounds like a good whack would sort it out but of course I have not done that.

Any chance of an unseen diagnosis on something like this? I would rather not have to take it to a shop. (I would have to remove all the porn first, who needs that bother!!

)

Thanks.

4X4 · 01-28-2008, 11:46 AM

My computer made a similar noise. I opened it up and there was this fan-type-thing that cooled the processer? that was the source of the noise. Replacement cost ~$30.

MarchHare · 01-28-2008, 11:52 AM

It could be a dying hard drive (especially if you hear clicking noises), but most likely it's a bad fan. Buy an $8 can of compressed air and blow out all the dust from inside your PC (if you've never done this before, you'll be shocked at how dusty it is), especially inside the workings of all your computer's fans. If you still hear the noise after removing the dust, it's probably too late and you'll have to replace the fans. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, it's worth it to take it to a pro -- installing a CPU fan improperly can completely destroy the chip, turning a $30 repair into a $200+ one.

Titan · 01-28-2008, 12:29 PM

Thanks hare. I have blown out the dust. The fan on the back does not appear to be moving. I assume I should be able to see it moving? Would that alone be the problem? How hard is it to install a fan? I have added ram and drives and such. Also, I assume there are many different types of fans? I would probably take the old one to Memory Express and ask them for one like it?

Titan · 01-28-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

My computer made a similar noise. I opened it up and there was this fan-type-thing that cooled the processer? that was the source of the noise. Replacement cost ~$30.

thanks as well 4x4.

Bobblehead · 01-28-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan

Thanks hare. I have blown out the dust. The fan on the back does not appear to be moving. I assume I should be able to see it moving? Would that alone be the problem? How hard is it to install a fan? I have added ram and drives and such. Also, I assume there are many different types of fans? I would probably take the old one to Memory Express and ask them for one like it?

Is it the case fan or the Power Supply fan?

I-Hate-Hulse · 01-28-2008, 12:41 PM

Take a picture of it and post it here. I'm sure we can tell you what fan you need.

If it's your CPU fan you might want to do anything too strenuous with out a fan. Temps will rise a lot.

llama64 · 01-28-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Is it the case fan or the Power Supply fan?

This would be my guess.

My power supply is on it's last legs. Soon as I boot it up from a cold start it makes a racket. After a while it calms down but it's still rather noisy.

Best way to figure out source of the noise is to crack open the case while the computer is on (don't touch anything!) and track it down. It's either going to be the power supply, the CPU fan or the hard-drive. Could also be another case fan if you are like me and have too many fans with pretty LED lights in them (I went through a phase...).

Titan · 01-28-2008, 01:39 PM

Thanks all. It is the fan at the top of the case when vertical that vents outside. I have not looked inside yet to see if it is the power supply fan. I will look tonight and post a pic if I can't figure it out.

Bobblehead · 01-28-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan

Thanks all. It is the fan at the top of the case when vertical that vents outside. I have not looked inside yet to see if it is the power supply fan. I will look tonight and post a pic if I can't figure it out.

Sounds like the PS fan.

While it may be possible to replace, power supplies are usually closed units so you will probably need to replace the whole PS.

BlackArcher101 · 01-28-2008, 02:59 PM

On all my computers I've owned the chipset fan is the one that makes this noise. Bad bearings. Note: Not the processor fan, the smallest fan on the motherboard (could be a heatsink instead). Must be made cheap or something. Be sure to check this one as well.

Titan · 01-28-2008, 07:06 PM

Okay. I can't figure out how to post pics.

I have a Dell Dimension 8300.

At the back at the top there are two vented fans. Both appear to be working. I know the top one is cause I stuck the straw on the compressed air in it. It did not like that.

The lower of the two is fully contained and has a few wires running out of it. The top one has tons of wire running out of it and the power cord running into it.

I would have to say it does not soud like either is making the noise. It seems to be coming from the very bottom of the inside of the case.

Does any of this make any sense or am I going to start a new post about where to take a computer to be fixed?

Thanks again.

I-Hate-Hulse · 01-28-2008, 07:17 PM

Take the side panel of the computer off. Then turn it on. Carefully listen/look to see where the noise is coming from. Once located, post back here what the source of the noise looks like.

Titan · 01-28-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Take the side panel of the computer off. Then turn it on. Carefully listen/look to see where the noise is coming from. Once located, post back here what the source of the noise looks like.

Its a dell so I opens from the back as a clamshell. but will do.

Titan · 01-28-2008, 07:34 PM

Okay. I think it is the little fan on the bottom of the video card. Do I need a new card or can I just replace the fan? I sprayed it with air and a bunch of dust came out but it is still making the sound, if a little quieter.

Actually, after about 6-7 minutes the sound is barely noticeable, although it is still there.

photon · 01-28-2008, 08:02 PM

Usually you can replace just the fan on the video card, though depending on the card it can be a little challenging. The plus side is you can usually get a much better fan that runs more quiet.

What kind of video card?

Titan · 01-28-2008, 08:35 PM

ATI All in Wonder 9000

photon · 01-28-2008, 09:18 PM

Hm, might be old enough that finding a fan for it could be problematic.

You might have to yank the card out and take it to Memory Express and see if they've got something that would work.

Titan · 01-28-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

Hm, might be old enough that finding a fan for it could be problematic.

You might have to yank the card out and take it to Memory Express and see if they've got something that would work.

That's the one. Thanks.

What is the worst case scenario? If I leave it in will it bake anything ohter than the video card which I can replace eventually farily cheap?

photon · 01-28-2008, 11:13 PM

It probably would only bake the video card, but I wouldn't bet my computer on it. If they have a fan that would work it'd probably cost $15 or even less to replace.