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When I start my computer up, I get a loud "whirring"/groaning sound, which disappears after about 20 seconds. This only happens when the computer is "cold" and has been switched off all night.
Is this most likely to be the CPU fan or something to do with the power supply? How likely is it to be my hard disk, or could it be harming the hard disk in some way? Is it something I can fix (although I'm computer illiterate!), or should I "call in the experts?
Thanks for any advice.
Hi,
I would suspect it to be a fan that is wearing out, either within the powersupply, the heatsink fan atop the CPU, or a case fan.
Stick your ear down by your comp to pinpoint where the noise is coming from exactly.
Tony
AMD Athlonxp 3200+ OC
Asus A7N8x-deluxe-E
ATI AIW 9600pro
2x WD SATA raptors/raid0
Corsair XMS3200
16x Lite-on DVD
12x DVD-R
48x Lite-on CDRW
Aspire Super Alien Case
0 
Take the case cover off. Usually there are screws at the back if it's an older machine, or some sort of clips or slidey mechanism if it's a newer machine.
Either way, if you're careful, you should be fine to just take the cover off and then boot up the computer. Then you'll be able to see & hear the area the noise is coming from. It's not too scary. Just don't touch anything inside if you don't know what you're doing.
Windows 98SE
HP Pavillion
Celeron 533MHz
HDD 10GB + 4GB
64MB RAM
Antiquated & Poor Quality
Runs like a dream.
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It's almost sure to be a fan. The chance that it's the hard drive is practically nil. Fans are inexpensive and fairly easy to replace.
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Even possible, a motherboard chip fan. Also, a video card fan, ect. ;-)
Geesh, one computer, has more fans to keep it cool, than I do for me, in the whole house
;-)
CrazyOne
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After you boot the computer, you can very carefully, gently touch the fan(s) to see if the noise is coming from them. Also, got a CD in your drive?
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Thanks for the replies guys. As it sounds like one of the fans, I'll risk opening the tower up and having a look.
Conscious of being "ripped off" by a p.c. shop ... already had one say it must be my hard drive, when even I know it's more likely to be a fan! Will try and identify the problem so I can save myself some dosh.
x
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I`m 99% certain its your CPU fan, however having said that my server was doing this and that turned out to be the power supplu fan. Evbery other system I`ve had this on it was the CPU fan.
Quick and Dirty way to check:
1: Power off system
2: remove side panel
3: put finger on CPU fan to stop it turning
4: Turn system on
%: If the noise is still there its the Power supply fan. If it isn`t release the CPU fan and see if it starts up noisy.
Its best to do this on a cold boot ie after the system has been off overnight and DONT keep your finger on the fan for more than a second or 2 or your CPU can get fried!!
HTH
Woof
Curiosity may have killed the cat but at least the cat wasn`t bored
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