Computer Help and Support

Phillip McCleod

(1,837 posts)

22. this ^^^^^

Thu Feb 28, 2013, 10:07 PM

Feb 2013

usually the cpu heatsink fan and the enclosure fan are quiet verging on silent. it's the power supply that's noisy. not a good sign. if you have a shopvac put it on 'blow' instead of 'suck' (yes, 'spaceballs' fans, i know..), take the side panel off the machine, and blast the dust out through the fan vents in the bottom of the power supply at the top back. the fan will spin like crazy. that's ok. once most of the dust has blown out, put the vac nozzle at the back of the computer and blow INTO the computer. make sure to do it in this order, k?

if that doesn't work and you have $40 or so get a silent running replacement and you'll never hear your computer again.

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Noisy pc fan - any ideas? [View all] LiberalEsto Feb 2013 OP

you have built up dust on your fan Pharaoh Feb 2013 #1

Thanks, Pharaoh, I actually did that LiberalEsto Feb 2013 #6

The first thing that comes to my mind is that the fan bearings are going dry. RC Feb 2013 #2

or you could buy a new one Mnpaul Feb 2013 #4

I think it's the fan that's concealed inside a metal box LiberalEsto Feb 2013 #7

"I think it's the fan that's concealed inside a metal box" Denzil_DC Feb 2013 #14

If it is the power supply I would replace it immediately Mnpaul Feb 2013 #15

Canned air does a good job of blowing the dust off. RC Feb 2013 #17

Turn up the music. Scuba Feb 2013 #3

Fans are cheap. Most replacement fans are around $5. hobbit709 Feb 2013 #5

I'm not sure I'd know how to install a fan LiberalEsto Feb 2013 #9

It is really easy. Warren Stupidity Feb 2013 #12

yes try the compressed air Pharaoh Feb 2013 #20

That's my suggestion. Replace the fan. backscatter712 Mar 2013 #26

Don't leave it running when you are not at home. PADemD Feb 2013 #8

Thanks for the warning! nt LiberalEsto Feb 2013 #10

You're welcome! PADemD Feb 2013 #11

The only time I turn my computers off is when I will be gone for a few days or longer. RC Feb 2013 #18

Recent pcs (5years) go to low power mode and turn almost everything off all on their own. Warren Stupidity Feb 2013 #13

This happened more than 5 years ago. PADemD Feb 2013 #16

HP RILib Feb 2013 #19

Replace your power supply TroglodyteScholar Feb 2013 #21

this ^^^^^ Phillip McCleod Feb 2013 #22

The fan has a bad bearing RoccoR5955 Mar 2013 #23

any luck resolvong it yet LiberalEsto? Pharaoh Mar 2013 #24

Not yet, but thanks for asking LiberalEsto Mar 2013 #25

Since removing dust was only a temporary fix, Warpy Mar 2013 #27