Help! Computer Making weird noise!

[rsp34434]

I dont know if this goes here but heres my problem. After about thirty minutes of my computer being on, it starts to make this really loud humming noise. I dont know what it is, if you could help me i would really appreciate it.

[lorne]

Probably a fan kicking into high gear when the inside or chip starts getting warm.

[water]

Lorne is most likely right - a HUM should prolly be a fan. To avoid this, get a second one, or move your PC away from the wall (if that doesn't work right now, until you can get another one, use an external fan and have it blow directly on the back of your PC or set it on TOP of the AC vent and turn the AC ON ), and out from underneath anything else, and see if that helps. If not, you may HAVE to get another fan. I have 4.

Believe it or not, I still get overheating.

A CLANK will be your hard drive going bad (most likely) and not something to play around with.

Run a virus scan, spyware and adware scan just to be safe. Worms and Trojans are nasty.

[rsp34434]

I opened up my pc and when i opened it, i was amazed at all the dust in it. I blew most of it away and it hasent been making the humming noise anymore. I knew it was something with the fan i just wanted to make sure. Thanks for your help anyway.

[water]

to be honest, you might be better off getting another fan.

It's the cheapest part of a PC that does you the most benefit.

think profalactic

[FallowEarth]

I agree - PSU and fan are the most important components in your PC.  You can have the fastest CPU, RAM and HD in the world, but if they're overheating, say goodnight.

rsp34434, you can get aerosol cans of air that are perfect for blowing dust out of tight spots.  I keep one on hand at all times to prevent any sort of build-up.  You shouldn't let your fan get as bad as it seems yours did, and I would look into replacing it in case there has been some permanent damage.

[rsp34434]

Ok, thanks. But i actually think its time to build a new computer. Its been about 2 years and the stuff i have is kinda out dated and i could use a new cpu. Anyway, thanks for your help.

[FallowEarth]

Ok, thanks. But i actually think its time to build a new computer. Its been about 2 years and the stuff i have is kinda out dated and i could use a new cpu. Anyway, thanks for your help.

Get a good PSU! at least 400-watt

[resijs]

Hey, anyone know a decent link for determining the amount of watts your computer will need? I have one guide from a crap magazine but it's far outdated.

[resopalrabotnick]

easy. go to the manufacturers websites and look at the data sheets for all the components. they should list the power consumption. don't forget when shopping for an adequate power supply that for example a 400 watt ps can't supply 400 watts on the 12v side. the number given is always a total of all the voltages combined.

[rsp34434]

Ok, so its not my cpu fan, its my powerbox fan thats making the weird noise. Ive cleaned it out and everything, but its still making the noise. What do i do?

[resopalrabotnick]

disable it. turn off the comp, stick a pen in it, and turn it back on. the motor should fry after several minutes of nonrotation and you can then remove the pen. no more noise.

if however, you're going to nitpick and say that that will lead to the untimely demise of your ps due to eventual overheating, i can't actually deny that. if the prospect of releasing the magical blue smoke from your box bothers you, you can either replace the whole ps or, if you feel you are capable of some mechanical work, open up the ps, yank the old fan, replace it with an appropriate model and keep what you have. if you open up the ps, make sure that you have it unplugged, are grounded with a resistor in series to avoid a cross the body shock should a discharging capacitor zap you and use insulated electrician type tools. if you can't protect yourself that way, just shell out the 40 bucks for a decent replacement power supply or replace the whole case for one of those blinking/flashy/lasercut gamer boxes.