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Grinding noise

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by DoubleHUtah, 2009/11/21.

  1. 2009/11/21
    DoubleHUtah

    DoubleHUtah Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Grinding noise - as if something doesn't want to start spinning - only in morning when computer is cold. Have used compressed air to blow out back of case, but noise continues. Without taking the case off, I looked into the back of a case using a flashlight when powering up. The power supply fan and CPU fan started right away - the grinding noise sounded as if it were coming from someplace. Any suggestions?
     
    DoubleHUtah,
    #1
  2. 2009/11/21
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Two possibilities ....

    Failing fan - dry bearing, almost impossible to lubricate. Not a lot you can do with the PSU fan as that is integral to the unit, but could consider replacing the CPU fan.

    Hard drive beginning to fail.

    Is there a fan on your graphics card?

    Do you have a floppy drive?

    Could always open up the case and disconnect the power leads from the floppy if fitted and the CD-Rom drive(s) to eliminate them from the equation.

    BTW ....

    We encourage all members to complete their System Specifications which help us to help you :)
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2009/11/21
    DoubleHUtah

    DoubleHUtah Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks Pete - always, always surprised as the quick response from this forum. CPU fan& shroud assembly and Heatsink Retention Assembly already ordered from Dell, as fan was my first thought. No fan on graphics card. Drives: CD bay, DVD +/- RW bay, 3.5 bay. I've updated my system specs as you suggested.

    If hard drive failure, will buy a new computer. Was planning to wait for another year so that immediate Win7 bugs could be resolved, so hope fan replacement solves the problem. Again, thanks for the prompt reply.
     
    DoubleHUtah,
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  5. 2009/11/21
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You can check out the hard drive either with Dell Diagnostics - check the manual for which F key to press on boot to initiate or with the manufacturer's disk diagnostic software ....

    Disk Diagnostic Software ....

    ExcelStore

    Hitachi/IBM

    Samsung

    Seagate, Maxtor, Quantum

    Western Digital

    To determine the make of the drive without poking in the case use SIW - Hardware > Storage Devices.
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2009/11/21
    Bmoore1129

    Bmoore1129 Geek Member

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    I had the exact noise when I started up on cold mornings. It turned out to be the cpu fan. I took the side off my box and when I booted I held the fan hub and no noise. When I let it go, the noise started again.

    No noise since then....
     
    Bmoore1129,
    #5
  7. 2009/11/21
    DoubleHUtah

    DoubleHUtah Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Checked specs via SIW - hard drive has no manufacturer listed so I checked with Dell Diagnostics. It passed. Other post also said possible CPU fan so I'll replace fan when it arrives and go from there. Thanks to both of you for help.

    Georgi
     
    DoubleHUtah,
    #6
  8. 2009/11/21
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Please post the outcome.
     
    PeteC,
    #7
  9. 2009/11/21
    DoubleHUtah

    DoubleHUtah Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Will do. It may be awhile. Heat sink retention assembly is on back order. Thanks again,

    Georgi
     
    DoubleHUtah,
    #8

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