My CPU Is Making a "Tinnitus" Type Noise

[UTUSN]

Is that a first bad sign of impending replacement to come? It's a low grade, little rasping noise, not a GRINDING noise (which it very occasionally makes). Could it be dust? The chilly morning? Nothing to worry about? It's two or more years old.


Edited to cover my ridiculous use of PCU instead of CPU.

[KitchenWitch]

1. CPU? or perhaps the fan?

You may need to replace the fan.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. You mean CPU?

If so, that sounds more likely to be the cooling fan, which you'll want to get replaced ASAP, or else you'll wind up overheating and killing the CPU.

[UTUSN]

3. Yes, CPU. Thanks 1&2, I'll Correct. n/t

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. Honestly, I'd shut down the computer and not use it

Until you replace the fan.

[UTUSN]

5. So Far It Lasted 30-45 Seconds at a Time, Then Stopped, Then Starts

I'll turn off and look for a tech. But as an old man told me about cars, once a mechanic opens it up for the first time the game's over. He said he had owned thirty or more cars in his life, that at the first sign of trouble he bailed, that otherwise you'd be the mechanic's hostage.

[BigMcLargehuge]

6. sounds like the fan in the powersupply or over the processor

both cheap fixes

[UTUSN]

7. Thanks, All. A Shade-tree Tech Opened It Up

and the 3 fans were working. There was less dust than expected. I *did* hear a tremendous thud/crash (of the sonar type) and came running back thinking the dude had dropped it while he was putting it back into its space. Luckily, (supposedly), it was a chair that rolled out from under him. He said to call him if/when it was making the noise. So far no noise. The fans *do* make a humming sound when they turn on, don't they? Thanks again.

[nashbridges]

8. Fans hum

But as they get older and the bearings wear out they can also "rattle" on their axis, which is probably what you were hearing.

Cheap fix, you can get them at Radio Shack for under 5 bucks.