Fan noise - possible causes?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Terry Pinnell
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T

Terry Pinnell

Despite opening and cleaning both the main fan and CPU fan on my Mesh
Athlon 1800, it's still occasionally making some bizarre sounds. Hard
to describe, but basically, instead of the fain 'swish', it changes to
a sort of deeper growl, repeated several times, then maybe returning
to normal for a while.

Before I dusted and vacuumed the fan areas, it was worse, and I was
able to temporarily stop the groaning/growling by slapping the case.
Presumably that dislodged dust. But, with that now effectively
removed, I'm puzzled why it's still intermitently noisy like this?
 
/Terry Pinnell/ said:
Despite opening and cleaning both the main fan and CPU fan on my Mesh
Athlon 1800, it's still occasionally making some bizarre sounds. Hard
to describe, but basically, instead of the fain 'swish', it changes to
a sort of deeper growl, repeated several times, then maybe returning
to normal for a while.

Before I dusted and vacuumed the fan areas, it was worse, and I was
able to temporarily stop the groaning/growling by slapping the case.
Presumably that dislodged dust. But, with that now effectively
removed, I'm puzzled why it's still intermitently noisy like this?
Click to expand...

When fans go bad, noise is often intermittent. Pulling back the sticky
plastic bearing seal, and applying one drop of very lightweight oil should
bring temporary relief. But in the end, it's replacement - hopefully with
a ball-bearing fan.
 
Unplug the power cable of the chassis cooling fans
If the noise stopped, the cooling fans bearing may be worn out, buy a new one
If you can still hear the noise, Check the fans of the CPU, vedio card and the power pack
Use a can of compressed air to blow the dust out of the fans

Pete


----- Terry Pinnell wrote: ----

Despite opening and cleaning both the main fan and CPU fan on my Mes
Athlon 1800, it's still occasionally making some bizarre sounds. Har
to describe, but basically, instead of the fain 'swish', it changes t
a sort of deeper growl, repeated several times, then maybe returnin
to normal for a while

Before I dusted and vacuumed the fan areas, it was worse, and I wa
able to temporarily stop the groaning/growling by slapping the case
Presumably that dislodged dust. But, with that now effectivel
removed, I'm puzzled why it's still intermitently noisy like this
 
Fans fitted by sys.manu. are v.often pretty basic and can become noisy. The
same applies to sys case which can be a source of vibration.
You can pay £90+ for a decent case
If the noise dissappears by slapping the case it sounds more like vibration
/ resonence, once again a std.cpu fan/cooler combo can be pretty basic. - I
changed one on an old sys fitted with an oem cooler and cured the
noise/vibration - theyre not that expensive.
 
A fan that is not securely fastened (loose screws) can cause noise. So can
worn out fan bearings. Also a loose case cover or loose internal sheet metal
that can vibrate will make a noise. If it is the fan, simply replace it.
They are very inexpensive.
 
Follow the advice that has been given but, DON'T SLAP THE COMPUTER!!! You
can very easily destroy your hard drive.

JAX
 
Well, that's the point, isn't it? If a computer misbehaves, it should be
punished. Sometimes I even toss mine through a window. It's a great feeling.


JAX said:
Follow the advice that has been given but, DON'T SLAP THE COMPUTER!!! You
can very easily destroy your hard drive.

JAX
Click to expand...
 
It's a case fan. The cpu and video just suffer from a silent death then a
system freeze, these fans don't have enough mass or power to overcome
sticktion.
 
I second that.

And vacuuming isn't a good idea either, unless it's a vacuum specifically
made for electronics, or you'll learn some interesting lessons about static
and computer components.

JAX said:
Follow the advice that has been given but, DON'T SLAP THE COMPUTER!!! You
can very easily destroy your hard drive.

JAX
Click to expand...
 
Good point on the vacuum. Some things I take for granted, after the
"slapping", I shouldn't have.

Cheers, JAX

D.Currie said:
I second that.

And vacuuming isn't a good idea either, unless it's a vacuum specifically
made for electronics, or you'll learn some interesting lessons about static
and computer components.
Click to expand...
 
JAX said:
Follow the advice that has been given but, DON'T SLAP THE COMPUTER!!! You
can very easily destroy your hard drive.
Click to expand...

Many thanks for all those prompt and helpful replies.
 
You're welcome Terry. If you can get to them, gently put your finger on the
center "button" on the fan, press on it and if the noise stops or changes,
replace that fan. In the case of a video card fan or case fan that you may
not be able to get to, you can shut-down the pc and unplug them, one at a
time, re-boot and see is you have noise, DON"T let it run for long. Never
unplug the CPU fan, it takes but a few seconds to fry your processor. The
power supply fan is a different issue. Eliminate all other possibilities
first, then look at it.

LOL, JAX
 
JAX said:
You're welcome Terry. If you can get to them, gently put your finger on the
center "button" on the fan, press on it and if the noise stops or changes,
replace that fan. In the case of a video card fan or case fan that you may
not be able to get to, you can shut-down the pc and unplug them, one at a
time, re-boot and see is you have noise, DON"T let it run for long. Never
unplug the CPU fan, it takes but a few seconds to fry your processor. The
power supply fan is a different issue. Eliminate all other possibilities
first, then look at it.

LOL, JAX
Click to expand...

Two weeks on, and happily still quiet. I gave the main fan a squirt of
UD40, and, after a few hours sudddenly noticed I wasn't noticing the
noise any more!
 
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