posted on April 29, 2001 04:16:44 PM
Hi- I am a computer idiot and my PC is making a terrible noise when I turn it on. Does anyone have any idea why? I ran my Norton Disc Doctor and it says eveything is fine. Everything works...Any ideas?
posted on April 29, 2001 04:32:26 PM
Yup, sounds like your fan. I had one that drove me crazy, until I replaced it. Just make sure it isn't your CD drive humming extra loud. I've got one of *them* now!
posted on April 29, 2001 04:54:19 PM
Could be the power supply, which normally has the fan on it. They are easy to replace, but it does need to be the correct watts and size. Check with the manufacturer on the specs.
posted on April 29, 2001 05:48:26 PM
Noise in the PC is usually (in this order):
1) the fan on the cpu. sometimes a wire (like the drive cable) touches the fan and just moving the wire solves the problem. If it is the fan itself, you can buy a new one for $10 or less and installation is simply a matter of attaching a clip
2) the fan on the power supply. If it is not something blocking the fan (and that can usually be dirt) then you may have to replace the power supply. These cost about $20 or so and installation is not terribly complicated but if you are unsure of what you are doing, you can probably have it done for $50.
3) vibration in the cd rom because something has worked loose
If it is #1 or #2, don't ignore it because it can become serious and cause your whole PC to go. #3 can be annoying but shouldn't cause actual damage
posted on April 29, 2001 09:39:20 PM
No, the volume is on mute. I opened it up, and the sound is from the fan area, but the fan is working. I was very dusty inside... Does anyone know a site I can go to determine the best way to go about troubleshooting this little problem?
posted on April 30, 2001 01:57:29 AM
What type of fan are we talking about here?
Or more to the point, what type of CPU?
If its an AMD, Socket 7 or 370 used on older Pentiums and Celerons, the simplest course is to remove the CPU and remove the fan assembly by loosening the clips. Fairly simple.
If its a Slot 2 PentiumII+ there might be a problem since the fan and heatsink are secured on with special hex nuts (I don't remember the size). Even with the right tools it requires patience and skill to remove. Might want to look up 'TOMS HARDWARE PAGE' and see if you can find the old references.
You may wish to try a lightweight lubrication oil if it is simply the bearings, but replacement is probably inevitable. If the fan stops, get your biggest portable fan and point it at the CPU with the covwer removed. Even this might only work for a short period of time. On overheating the system will generally lock up before overt damage is normally done, but nevertheless may shorten life of CPU.
posted on April 30, 2001 07:28:11 AM
you say it is fairly dusty inside Buy a can of compressed air ..most office supply stores carry it and blow the dust off of evrything pay particular attention to the cpu fan and the power supply fan . Dependig on the motherborad configuration you may have to remove the power supply to get to the cpu fan ....UNPLUG THE MACHINE before you start
