Whining / buzzing sound

[ear8dmg]

Note: edited to add info.

I've recently noticed a high pitched buzzing / whining sound coming from a component in my PC. It sounds like it's coming from around (very approximately) the CPU area of the motherboard and is definitely not coming from the PSU or drives.

Generally the sound starts just after turning on the PC and continues through to booting into Windows XP and is particularly noticeable when the computer's idle. When applications or games are running the sound typically disappears or gets quieter, particularly with more 'stressful' apps like 3DMark. The sound isn't there every time the PC's on and I've only noticed it during the past week or two. System is getting on for about 1 1/2 years old with the smaller HD carried over from an older system.

Anybody got any idea what could be causing the problem? Rough system specs are below (everything stock speeds).

Athlon XP 2400+ (generally runs at 55 - 65 Centigrade)
Connect 3D Radeon 9500 Pro 128MB
512mb 2100 (2x128mb PNY, 1x256mb Crucial)
MSI K7N2G (Nforce 2 IGP)
Seagate Barracuda 120GB 8MB Buffer 7200RPM
Western Digital 20GB 5400RPM
Jeantech 300w PSU (due to be replaced by 500w when I've got time to fit it).
1xDVD/DC-RW
1xDVD-ROM

 

[ear8dmg]

I think I've worked out what it is. Not had time to go around poking my motherboard but the problem is as described in these threads. It started just after I'd moved house so I probably bumped something into a position that would be noisy. If they've identified the problem it's just an annoyance and not anything serious.

http://www.aoaforums.com/forum...0&page=1&pp=20
http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...?s=&threadid=40209

 

[ear8dmg]

Sorry - double post

 

[daveybrat]

You have to narrow down the problem by doing the following:

1) Unplug each hard drive from the power supply and turn system on after each one is unplugged, is noise is still there go to step 2.

2) unplug any case fans in computer one at a time and continue to boot computer after each one is unplugged, if you still have the noise, go to 3.

3) while computer is turned on, and booting into windows, unplug the cpu fan from the motherboard (warning, only keep it unplugged for a couple of seconds, just long enough to stop it and hear any noise)
If it's still noisy with that unplugged, plug it back in and move to step 4.

4) If you still experience noise/whine at this stage then the only other 2 culprits could be a noisy Video card fan, or the power supply fan is getting noisy.

Good Luck!