Greetings all, As of recent I have been getting an issue with my computer, that is puzzling me. Hoping maybe someone could help. :) As of recent, when I start up my computer (and occassionally but infrequently while running), my computer begins to emmit an odd sound. I have had this happen once before and it turned out to be the fan in the PSU failing. However this time is different. Upon investigation, it sounds most likely that the noise I am hearing is coming from near the CPU fan/heatsink. At first I thought it might be the fan itself....however the fan is still spinning, and even when forced to a stop the sound continues. I have checked the other fans, including the PSU fan as well, and they do not seem to be causing the sound. This sound almost always happens when starting up (from being completely powered down, not often from reboot) the computer, and it sounds awefully similar to that of a failing fan (kind of a whiring, struggling revolution sound). Oddly giving several light taps to the top of the computer case usually gets the sound to stop, but often in the process it will stop, and then begin again a few seconds later (with an odd sounding "slowing" from the normal sound, to the sound I am hearing at startup.....again similar to something like a fan whirling to a hault or near hault, however no fans at the time are stopped or stopping). The sound can only be best described as that of an old car idling (yes I know that isn't much of a description too, but it's the best I could come up with lol). It doesn't appear to effect any aspects of functioning, but it does however make me nervous. The only noteworthy difference I have noticed since it started is in a few games that I play there is a distictive bit of lag that has appeared only since this problem arose, that I am not used to seeing. However that could be from something entirely different, I am not sure. Additionally the computer does seem to be running a little louder than normal, however the sounds are typical (aside from the one on startup I have referred to). So at this point, I am just sort of hoping that someone will recognize the problem I am describing and be able to help me out with a little info on it, and a possibly even a solution on how to fix it. :) If any additional info is need I will be happy to provide it. Thanks in advance.

Check to see if it is the hard drive by disconnecting the HDD before startup. If you don't get the sound then, it is likely that your hard drive is about to die on you. Otherwise, it is almost certainly a fan.

I wonder if gently pressing around on the board with a piece of dowel might help locate the offending noise. Don't bust anything tho. With TV's transformer laminations can sometimes vibrate but I don't recall anything like that in computers. DerekW

Try removing any CDs you have in CD drives and see if the sound goes away. If they have a CD in them, CD drives will spin in Windows 95 and up while booting the computer, and occaisionaly after that, even if you aren't actively accessing the drive, sometimes without lighting up the led on the front of the drive at all. Some CD drives are poorly balanced and vibrate more than others when they spin, and/or they become more noisy the older they get, and/or their fastening screws may loosen over time and make the vibration caused noise more apparent.

It's a failing harddrive. Back up everything you need and replace it. I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.

Adding to #4, be aware that fans also distribute noise (from the HD or anywhere else) so they can sometimes mislead you. DerekW