Question about fans inside a computer.

[Ferocious]

Dell 2350 Dimension with 1.7 Ghz Celeron and Intel integrated graphics.

Which (if any) fans in this computer might be variable? Cpu fan? Power supply fan?

Computer is making a surging noise after running for awhile....but never happens when case is opened.

 

[OverVolt]

Call tech support, you paid for it.

EDIT: I dunno what fans are variable or not inside a dell. open it up and start punching serial numbers into google. Also, how old is the computer.

 

[Cawchy87]

nope, not on a dell. and i doubt that a 1.7gig celly would have heat controlled fans on it anyway.

 

[Ferocious]

What else could cause a major surging noise?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Ferocious
What else could cause a major surging noise?

The fan(s) are the only mechanical moving parts other than the hard drive or optical drive, and the fact that the noise doesn't occur when the system's case is open does seem to suggest that there's a fan either turning on & off, or speeding up and slowing down.

The suggestion of calling Dell is a good one, that's what they're there for. But if you want to try to do something about it yourself, make sure the computer has very unrestricted airflow around it (not inside a computer desk cupboard or other enclosed space) and blow out any dust using your breath or a compressed-air canister.

Bigger picture: ever thought about upgrading? 🙂 The system you're describing... pretty basic. 😛

 

[Ferocious]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: Ferocious
What else could cause a major surging noise?

The fan(s) are the only mechanical moving parts other than the hard drive or optical drive, and the fact that the noise doesn't occur when the system's case is open does seem to suggest that there's a fan either turning on & off, or speeding up and slowing down.

The suggestion of calling Dell is a good one, that's what they're there for. But if you want to try to do something about it yourself, make sure the computer has very unrestricted airflow around it (not inside a computer desk cupboard or other enclosed space) and blow out any dust using your breath or a compressed-air canister.

Bigger picture: ever thought about upgrading? 🙂 The system you're describing... pretty basic. 😛

Thanks for the tips.

Is it probably the CPU fan and not the power supply fan?

Calling Dell is not an option anymore.

It's a friends computer.

 

[Jiggz]

First you need to verify the surging is caused by fans and not by the hdd or because the case is lacking ventilation access wich causes negative pressure inside the case. You can try removing some slot covers to increase vent access and see if the surging still occurs. If it stops, then the problem is lack of vent holes keeping the case at negative pressure.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Ferocious

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: Ferocious
What else could cause a major surging noise?

The fan(s) are the only mechanical moving parts other than the hard drive or optical drive, and the fact that the noise doesn't occur when the system's case is open does seem to suggest that there's a fan either turning on & off, or speeding up and slowing down.

The suggestion of calling Dell is a good one, that's what they're there for. But if you want to try to do something about it yourself, make sure the computer has very unrestricted airflow around it (not inside a computer desk cupboard or other enclosed space) and blow out any dust using your breath or a compressed-air canister.

Bigger picture: ever thought about upgrading? 🙂 The system you're describing... pretty basic. 😛

Thanks for the tips.

Is it probably the CPU fan and not the power supply fan?

Calling Dell is not an option anymore.

It's a friends computer.

If you're not sure which fan it is, heck, do a reality check 😛 Listen to the noise, then pop the case and immediately unplug the CPU fan for a couple seconds. If the loudness suddenly goes away, or if it doesn't, there's your answer as to which fan is the cause (the one you unplugged, or the only other one).

 

[Pauli]

It's almost certainly the Power Supply fan ramping up. Most PS's have thermistors on their fans which bump up the fan speed when certain temperatures are reached.

 

[WackyDan]

Make sure there isn't a disk in any of your cd/dvd trays....

I have a system with a cheapy cd reader that spins up sometimes random in fashion and sounds just like a fan spooling up/changing speed.