Yoinks.

[effervescible]

So, uh, computer peeps...my fan (pretty sure it's the fan; it's coming from the back where the fan is and when I stuck my ear up against the middle of the computer, where the drives are, I didn't hear anything) is sounding a bit labored. A bit...whirrier? Not too much, but I am paranoid and don't want to wait for something to break. Is there something I can/should do about this? Clean out the guts with compressed air or something? (I am sure it is pretty damn dusty in there. It's been a couple years since I opened it up and it was quite dusty then.) Or am I just being paranoid? Everything on the computer is running fine. (SO FAR. Backed up the important stuff anyway.)

Thoughts?

Comments

[greyvorfeed.livejournal.com]

Yes, the thing to do is unplug it, open it up, and clean it with compressed air. Make sure that you touch the metal of the case before you start reaching inside, so you'll be grounded against static. Chances are that the fan is running a bit slow because it's clogged with dust & hair.

If it still sounds bad after you clean it out, figure out which fan is making the sound. There are usually at least 3 fans in modern computers: one on the back of the case; one on the back of the power supply, which is the grey box on the top rear of the case; and one on the heatsink on top of the CPU. Sometimes video cards also have fans. I usually identify the noisy fan by stopping each of them (press your finger on the solid center of each fan to stop it spinning just for a second. You probably won't be able to reach the power supply fan, though, so use process of elimination for that one). When the rattling noise stops, that fan is the culprit. Fans are really cheap and easy to replace: just unplug the power plug from the old one and unscrew all 4 corners, then pull it off. Take it to Radio Shack and show it to the guy behind the counter. They should have replacement fans in all sizes.

If the noise is coming from the fan in the power supply, that's tougher and more expensive to replace, and probably not worth it just for a slight noise. If it gets worse, you might think about getting a new power supply.

[greyvorfeed.livejournal.com]

Oh, and if it does turn out to be the power supply, or you don't want to bother switching out the fan: sometimes a noisy fan can be quieted by giving the case a slight "checking the tires on your VW Rabbit" kick while it's running. Technically, you shouldn't do this while the hard drive is writing, but I've never had a problem either way. Try this at your risk, always back up your data, yadda yadda.

[aevalin.livejournal.com]

You have a desktop yes?

My money is on the fan in the power supply. Has it been acting oddly? Rebooting on it's own?, is the case really hot around the power supply? Fear not - unless things are way different in the US or unless you have like an uber fancy machine requiring a high end they're usually under $50 to replace (and usually weigh in at around $30 here. Do blow it out tho to see if it's just clogged up with dust bunnies - sometimes that's the main problem.

I've replaced fans on power supplies but I only do it because a)I can do it myself and b) I have a large warehouse full of old computer parts at my finger tips. If I didn't have those things, I'd just buy a new one.

If it's NOT the power supply fan, follow the excellent advise in the post above :)

[zer0data.livejournal.com]

Probably the bearing in the fan is wearing out. They do that. Or they dry up (no lubrication). What I do is take the fan off or out of whererver, peel the sticker off that covers up the bearing, bung some grease or oil in there, cover with a piece of clear packing tape, and put it back together. It usually shuts up for six months or so.

[jmcgarry.livejournal.com]

Paranoia, huh? It could be feedback from a hidden microphone.


Or a fan. Whatever. :-)

[jaina.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice! I'll get some compressed air this week. Maybe I can borrow some from the office supply closet...

[jaina.livejournal.com]

Computer is totally normal (for now) other than the slight noise which is not always there, so for now I'm gonna try the air thing and see what happens. Thanks!

[jaina.livejournal.com]

Blargh, I blew it out tonight and it's still the same, but I think the noisy fan is the one on the CPU (the one on top of all the boards and shit? Sigh, I am so non-techie) so I'll try and confirm and then...mmmmf. I am really uneasy about fiddling with internal bits myself. The actual computer is 100% fine but the fan sound just makes me nervous.