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Computer making lawn mower noise

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Name: Chikity China
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:16:19 Pacific
OS: XP Home
CPU/Ram: P4, 512 RAM
Comment:

Hi,

I bought my computer in 2002 from Gateway and today, after turning it on, it started making some quiet lawn mower noises. The noises aren't significant and no noticeable performance problems have been noted. It just concerns me.
Can anyone help me fix this issue because I don't have a clue as to what is going on.

Thanks in Advance.



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Response Number 1
Name: per
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:18:14 Pacific
Reply:

Sounds like fan bearings failing and allowing the blades to contact the frame. Open the case and check it.


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Response Number 2
Name: Chikity China
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:20:39 Pacific
Reply:

I don't think that's the case. I can't hear sounds that sound like something is hitting something. It sounds like something is clogged though.


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Response Number 3
Name: keltikgent
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:22:27 Pacific
Reply:

hi,
while the case is off,tighten down the screws on the cdrom drives floppy drive and hard/drive.sometimes the screws come loose and start to rattle.
keltik


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Response Number 4
Name: per
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:22:34 Pacific
Reply:

It may be a failing hard drive. Back up asap and then trouble shoot.


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Response Number 5
Name: Chikity China
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:23:11 Pacific
Reply:

Oh, and if it is the case, then how do I fix it once I open the case. I don't have any knowledge about computers.


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Response Number 6
Name: yankanuk
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:23:42 Pacific
Reply:

It could be your HD writing information, some HD's do that as they get older, they just get noisier. This is a ticking (typewriter type sound)
What do you call a lawnmower noise anyways?

I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it...
mainly because it was just a sew-sew job.


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Response Number 7
Name: Chikity China
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:23:54 Pacific
Reply:

Thanks all, will shut off and try to fix...


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Response Number 8
Name: per
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:25:22 Pacific
Reply:

No offense meant, but if something that simple is a problem I suggest you take it to a local shop.


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Response Number 9
Name: Chikity China
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:42:27 Pacific
Reply:

Ok so I took off the cover (on laptop now); nothing was loose.

Oh and if the lawnmower noise discription confused someone, then what i meant was that the humming got louder and just wierder, can't put it into words.

PS Im just a poor 14 year old so don't be thinking Im a grown man and should know better.

PPS thanks again


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Response Number 10
Name: per
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:48:59 Pacific
Reply:

LOL!! I know some 14 year old's that are smarter than some of the idiots out there.
The only thing you can do now is run the machine and try to isolate the noise source and go from there. I still suspect either a fan or a hard drive.


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Response Number 11
Name: keltikgent
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:49:42 Pacific
Reply:

hmmm
should of told us it was a laptop.but ok with the cover off can you pinpoint where the noise is coming from?
keltik


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Response Number 12
Name: Chikity China
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:54:33 Pacific
Reply:

I pinpointed the source, it seems to be the power supply.

and to keltikgent, I useing a laptop now, the desktop has the problem.

Will continue working on it...


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Response Number 13
Name: FJB
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:56:39 Pacific
Reply:

Charles, now that you have the cover off get as close as you can to the components without touching anything to see if you can isolate the noise. Dust will make fans noisey so that could be a possiblity, If you don't have a can of compressed air you can use a hair dryer to blow out the dust. Post back


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Response Number 14
Name: per
Date: February 13, 2005 at 15:58:16 Pacific
Reply:

It is probably the fan in the power supply as that is the only moving part in it.


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Response Number 15
Name: Chikity China
Date: February 13, 2005 at 16:00:16 Pacific
Reply:

Im pretty sure it's the power supply, But the big yellow warning sticker that says High Voltage scares me.....lol

And i know this may be a stupid question but should I take each component out and hair blow them, or just use a hair blowed directly without takin anything off?


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Response Number 16
Name: per
Date: February 13, 2005 at 16:02:36 Pacific
Reply:

The sticker is to warn that is 120/240 volts depending on your country. You can replace the fan for about $6 us.


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Response Number 17
Name: Christopher_35
Date: February 13, 2005 at 16:59:30 Pacific
Reply:

yes it could be the fans or it could be the power supply itself. Transformer windings that reduce your 120/240v supply to your computer working voltage can start to hum and it may be that noise that you describe as a lawn mower. Remove supply from fan and swith on computer, if the noise has gone then change the fan if not then suspect the supply itsef


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Response Number 18
Name: Chikity China
Date: February 13, 2005 at 17:07:38 Pacific
Reply:

I used the test switch on the power supply. The noise doesn't immediately start after start-up but instead, a minute or two later.

It this helps any.........

Furthermore, I don't have an anti-static wrist band so I'm afraid I'll touch a part and shock it while removing the power supply because after all, it is Winter and there's lots of static.

How much can I expect to spend at a shop if I let them fix it for me?


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Response Number 19
Name: doc is back
Date: February 13, 2005 at 18:46:43 Pacific
Reply:

Thats cool! A computer that doubles as a lawnmower! Just sharpen the blade every now and then and change the sparkplug! If its the powersupply your cheapest bet would probably be online. Computer shops usually rip you off selling you one. If you can go to a computer show in your local town you can find a good deal every now and then. Try tiger direct or new egg for a new one. Type in google and search away. It being that old you shouldnt need much of a power supply and shouldnt have to pay much for it. I would say $20.oo would be a big price if you shop around.

Girls just wanna have fun! Im out to help them all I can!


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Response Number 20
Name: mackphaeder
Date: February 15, 2005 at 08:30:02 Pacific
Reply:

Here are some Psu guidelines

Motherboard without CPU or RAM 30 Watts
Floppy Drive 5 Watts
IDE Drive 5400RPM 10 Watts
IDE Drive 7200RPM 15 Watts
SCSI drive 7200RPM 25 Watts
SCSI drive 10000RPM 40 Watts
128MB SDRAM 10 Watts
IDE 50X CD or 10X DVD Drive 20 Watts
High Performance AGP Card 30 Watts
Network Card 10/100 5 Watts
Pentium 4 75 Watts


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