Computer sounds like a vacuum cleaner... Please help!

[TemjinGold]

Hey guys,

So my machine was silent all this time but suddenly when I turned it on last night, it sounds like a hairdryer (basically I can hear a clear tonal sound through a fan spinning sound.) I tried taking the side panel off to see if I could tell which fan it was but I couldn't tell. My best guess is the video card but it could literally be anything. Is something about to die? Please help!

Edit: Now that I think about it, it sounds more like a hairdryer...

 

[wuliheron]

Did you shine a flashlight inside? Try downloading speedfan?

 

[KGB]

First, ... with your PC powered off try using a pencil, or even a finger to manually rotate each fan and see if they turn freely. If everything seems fine, power up and use something like a paper towel tube to isolate which fan is the culprit. Hold one end to your ear and whilst getting the opposite end close to each fan.

If the fan is really screaming like a banshee chances are it's either the video card or the chipset fan.

 

[PottedMeat]

If the fan is really screaming like a banshee chances are it's either the video card or the chipset fan.

That's my guess, but i've heard a vacuum/hair dryer sound from my DVDRW too upon bootup, but it's only for a second or two.

 

[TemjinGold]

Thanks, guys! I just went to turn it on now and the sound is gone... Now I'm worried it's a symptom that I won't be able to isolate...

 

[KGB]

Thanks, guys! I just went to turn it on now and the sound is gone... Now I'm worried it's a symptom that I won't be able to isolate...

Is your cat suddenly missing?

 

[wuliheron]

If you can't find the source, put wheels on the case and attach a hose to the intake.

 

[TemjinGold]

Lol... I don't have any pets!

 

[TheStu]

Something else you can do is, with the computer on and side panel off, just put your finger on the center of each fan (the hub from which the fins... fin) to stop the fan. See if the noise stops. Stopping the fans for all of a second will not cause any problems at all.

Also, attack the crap out of the interior of the case with canned air, really go to town with it.

 

[TemjinGold]

Will try that, thanks!

 

[TemjinGold]

Okay, it's the video card. The noise stopped when I yanked it and turned the PC on. I tried blowing compressed air inside but no dice. Is it dying?

 

[TheStu]

If it is just a loud fan noise, then you might be ok, if it is a grinding noise, you could be in trouble.

 

[TemjinGold]

Unfortunately, I think it's more than just a loud fan. This morning when I tried to turn my PC on, the first time through the computer couldn't get past the "Starting Windows" screen. It kept "hiccuping" until I finally powered off for 30 secs before powering back on.