Carroll County Times Articles
Noisy Computer?
by Bob Keller – July 23, 2006
A few simple diagnostic steps can tell you if it will be a simple fix or something more serious.
Case Removal
First, you may need a Phillips (+) screwdriver to remove the computer's case door. If you have a new style case, it is possible that the case is a new “tool less” case where you only have to pull off the door after pushing or pulling a release. Check your computer's documentation for how to open your computer case. Also, to correctly diagnose which fan(s) may need service, you will need to feel comfortable unplugging wires in the computer that provide power to the fans.
If you are at all uncomfortable doing this or have no idea what to look for, you should take your computer to a repair shop.
Compressed Air Cleaning
I first suggest a “quick fix” in trying to eliminate the noise. Since a dirty fan may be the cause of the noise, I would recommend first cleaning out the inside of the computer with compressed air and then testing to see if that solves the problem. If not, read on.
Test and Locate
After you remove the case door, turn on the computer being careful not to touch anything on the inside of the computer. Chances are that one of the fans inside of the computer is causing the whirling noise you hear. Fans are normally mounted in several places. The power supply has a fan (sometimes two). The rear and front of the case may have fans, as well as the CPU. While looking inside of the case, you can normally tell which fan is making the noise simply by getting closer to it. You can also unplug each from the power independently, one by one, to see if the noise stops. You can check the power supply fan by listening to the noise and see if it changes frequency while tapping lightly on the outside of the power supply.
Be careful NOT to unplug the CPU cooling fan.
No power to the CPU fan while the system is turned on can produce catastrophic effects on the CPU by overheating it, even for a short time. It's better to simply eliminate all other possibilities down to the CPU fan than to unplug it while it's powered on.
Repairing
Ok, so you have determined that it's one of the fans making the noise. You can purchase a fan at most computer repair shops for less than $15. Make sure you get the right size (normal case fans are 80mm fans, but some computers now take up to 120mm fans for cooling). Also look on your current fan's type of power connector. Older fans have what is commonly referred to a “4 Pin Molex Connector” which is keyed to fit one way. This connector has four wires: a red, yellow and two black wires. The other style is a three-wire fan connector: a power, a negative and a monitor cable which allows the motherboard sensor to monitor the RPMs (revolutions per minute) of the fan. You can always remove the fan and take it with you to the shop to ensure you get the right type.
If you have determined that it's a CPU fan that's gone bad, it would be best to take the computer to a shop. Replacing a CPU fan can be a fairly involved process.
Other Possibilities
What if it's not one of the fans making the noise? Another possibility for the source of the noise could be a bad hard drive. With the system powered off, touch the inside of the case (the metal frame) to discharge any static electricity. Then disconnect the power to the hard drive and turn the system back on. If you don't hear the noise, the hard drive is the suspect. They go bad periodically and can make a bad clicking noise or a sound like popping popcorn. Since this is a sign of impending death of the drive, you should back up your data immediately and replace the drive. If you have more than one hard drive, disconnect them independently to determine which one may be causing the noise.
CD and DVD drives can also cause noise, but they should be making the noise only when you are attempting to access the drive. This makes them rather easy to determine if it's the source.
About the Author
Bob Keller, owner of KelTech Computer Service in Westminster, is a certified computer repair technician and Chairman of CompuKids. CompuKids is a program of the Carroll Technology Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating businesses, government and residents about technology issues. Questions are welcomed and may be addressed in future articles. Email advisors@carrolltechcouncil.org or go to www.carrolltechcouncil.org for a list of Advisor categories.
The viewpoints expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Carroll Technology Council.
