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Mysterious Whirr
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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by satchmo on Sat Nov 5th at 5:16pm 2005

Every now and then, there is this strange whirring noise that eminates from the chasis of my computer.

It only happens when the computer boots, and it doesn't happen immediately during booting. After the BIOS screen and the SATA driver loads, the sound occurs. It lasts only for about one second, and then it goes away. It doesn't happen with every boot either.

I had opened up my case two days ago to investigate, but I could not see any wiring or parts that could get tangled up in the CPU fan, the graphics card fan, the power supply fan, or the chasis fan.

Besides the annoying and disconcerting noise, there's nothing else wrong with my computer. The temperature remains cool, and everything performs perfectly.

I would like to solicit some suggestions as to the origin of the noise. Otherwise, it'll just have to go down in history as one of the mysteries of mankind, like the Lochness monster and Big Foot.



"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." -- Toulouse-Lautre, Moulin Rouge



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by ReNo on Sat Nov 5th at 5:25pm 2005

I used to get a far longer start up whirr that would go after about 3 minutes or so. Seemed to be my graphics card fan, and hence its no longer a problem since I replaced the card. Was mighty annoying though it must be said. I also used to occasionally get a chassis style rattling, but I think that was down to having too many excess PSU cables stashed up between the PSU and the top of the case. I'm afraid I've no suggestions as to what could be causing your own one.




Designer @ Haiku Interactive | ReNo-vation.net



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by Crono on Sat Nov 5th at 6:15pm 2005

There's not many moving parts. So, it's probably a wire hitting a fan. Even if it doesn't seem like it.

There's also the chance, like Reno had, that a fan could be all funked up.

Look harder? If you look at the fans, do it while the computer is on. Also, you'd be able to hear the sound better and determine its loation.


Blame it on Microsoft, God does.



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by Underdog on Sat Nov 5th at 6:35pm 2005

Not to contradict any of my learned peers (and to point out my negligence in reading this thread through) but,

When a cooling fan begins to wear out its bushing can make a whirring noise when you first turn on a pc. Sometimes it quits once the bushing warms up, sometimes not but I have had a few fans do this before they finally go out.

If this has been pointed out already forget I posted, if not then I posted new info.

Hope this helps.




There is no history until something happens, then there is.



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by fraggard on Sat Nov 5th at 6:47pm 2005

My GPU fan made that sound when its ball-bearing got jammed with dust. If the sound is from there try putting a few drops of oil in the bearings at the centre of the GPU fan (or any other fan, for that matter).






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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by satchmo on Sat Nov 5th at 10:19pm 2005

I am starting to suspect that it's the GPU fan that's making the noise. It's not really dusty inside the chasis, but it doesn't hurt to vacuum it anyway.

I'll try that. Thanks everyone.




"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." -- Toulouse-Lautre, Moulin Rouge



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by habboi on Sun Nov 6th at 12:25am 2005

Have you tried looking inside while the PC is on...Or when it makes that noise so you can locate where it comes from. What about the fan...Is it old?

If it bothers you that much then try touching things and removing components until it stops.





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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by Nickelplate on Sun Nov 6th at 12:29am 2005

I find that if you have a fan that gets noisy and you can't replace it, you can soak it down with "silicon lubricant" or lock lubricant, then use a can of the compressed air to get rid of all of exces oil. then run it and it'll work like a charm!!!

We used to get about 3 "my computer is making growling noises!" repair requests at work there for awhile...




I tried sniffing coke, but the ice cubes kept getting stuck in my nose.
http://www.dimebowl.com



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by Underdog on Sun Nov 6th at 12:47am 2005

Be aware that any lubrication that is moist should be used either sparingly, or not at all. Things like teflon sprays or graphite are much better. Dry lubricants are preferable.

You can easily obtain graphite from any auto parts store. Ask for door key lubricant.

Teflon sprays are harder to obtain, and much more expensive. They are also wet when applied and dry in moments so be sure the power is off until the drying is completed.

Oil based lubricants stay wet from the time they are applied until they finally ruin your machine. I would avoid them unless its absolutely necessary.

This advice is given freely so do with it what you will. It is also given with no disrespect intended to anyone who posted contrary advice to mine.




There is no history until something happens, then there is.



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by wil5on on Sun Nov 6th at 12:51am 2005

Sounds like one of my fans is going too... <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/sad.gif">


&quot;If you talk at all during this lesson, you have detention. Do you understand?&quot;
- My yr11 Economics teacher



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by fishy on Sun Nov 6th at 12:59am 2005

? quoting wil5on
Sounds like one of my fans is going too...

i know it's hard to accept, but after the water melon incident, well, i just can't admire you like i used to......




i eat paint



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by Underdog on Sun Nov 6th at 1:03am 2005

? quoting fishy
? quoting wil5on
Sounds like one of my fans is going too...

i know it's hard to accept, but after the water melon incident, well, i just can't admire you like i used to......

Just in case no one else says so, that has got to be the funniest thing I have read in here in weeks.

My hats off to'ya.

You are the master of subtle humor.




There is no history until something happens, then there is.



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by Nickelplate on Sun Nov 6th at 1:04am 2005

We were all out of dry lubricants unfortunately. but that's why you spray it all out with compresed air

and only the tiniest amount it left in the fan..




I tried sniffing coke, but the ice cubes kept getting stuck in my nose.
http://www.dimebowl.com



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by Andrei on Sun Nov 6th at 10:56am 2005

Strangely I get a weird rubbing sound apparently coming from the processor fan. What's truly weird is that I don't get this sound when playing hl2 with HDR on (which totally kills my display adaptor and analrapes my processor), only when playing diablo 2 which is by far a game that doesn't rape my resources given it's age.




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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by wil5on on Sun Nov 6th at 11:13am 2005

Most likely a coincidence then, fan speed should generally stay constant independent of processor load in a desktop. Unless you have some sort of temperature control system, but the fans should be running at their fastest all the time anyway.


&quot;If you talk at all during this lesson, you have detention. Do you understand?&quot;
- My yr11 Economics teacher



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by satchmo on Sun Nov 6th at 7:19pm 2005

If I am correct, there are only five fans in my computer--the PSU fan, the CPU fan, the GPU fan, the front case fan, and the side chassis fan.

I am currently running with my computer's bowl exposed, and all the fans seem to be running fine. No wiring or other components is in the way of the fan.

The problem happens rarely, so I may never find out the reason for the noise. But at least for now I know nothing is failing.



"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." -- Toulouse-Lautre, Moulin Rouge



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by satchmo on Sat Dec 10th at 3:00pm 2005

I finally figured out that the whirring noise is coming from the side chassis fan. Since it's not that important (I think) anyway, I unplugged it, and the noise never returned.

However, I just noticed this morning that the front chassis fan failed also. It didn't emit any death throes--it just stopped turning.

Now, should I be concerned that both of my chassis fans failed? How important are they to keep the components cool? I am under the impression that as long as I have a functional fan for the PSU, the CPU, and the graphics card, I should be fine. Ventilation is still very good through my case, as I don't have too many cards beside the video card and a small network card.



"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." -- Toulouse-Lautre, Moulin Rouge



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by Underdog on Sat Dec 10th at 3:07pm 2005

? quoting satchmo

Now, should I be concerned that both of my chassis fans failed? How important are they to keep the components cool? I am under the impression that as long as I have a functional fan for the PSU, the CPU, and the graphics card, I should be fine. Ventilation is still very good through my case, as I don't have too many cards beside the video card and a small network card.

One can never have to many fans functioning.

I would replace them as soon as possible since your idea of plenty may not coincide with the machines.

However, as long as your power supply fan is still functioning, that should tide you over until you can replace the fans.

The test will not be this idle internet surfing, it will come when you fire up that card to play a game. The heat generated from the card is blown into the case, NOT outside so the card fan will not keep the other parts cool.

Case fans are like 10 dollars each. replace them.




There is no history until something happens, then there is.



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by satchmo on Sat Dec 10th at 4:29pm 2005

I just played about thirty rounds of CS:S, and the CPU temperature went up to 52. It ain't that bad, so I think I am okay.



"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." -- Toulouse-Lautre, Moulin Rouge



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 Re: Mysterious Whirr
Posted by Underdog on Sat Dec 10th at 4:39pm 2005

? quoting satchmo
It ain't that bad, so I think I am okay.

For now.

I would like to reiterate. I did have to many fans once. They were all pulling the same direction and were actually causing the temp to go up because of the force of all them working against each other. I turned half so the were blowing in and left the rest blowing out and helped to cool the machine dramatically.

As I said though, fans are cheap, replace them.




There is no history until something happens, then there is.




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