Computer Making Random Squeaking Noises

Yeah, somewhat recently (last 4 months or so) my server that's been running 24/7 for the last 3 years (No problems with it whatsoever, it is a dell has started making squeaking noises. I can't figure out what's causing it (it's probably either a fan starting to go or the HDD slowly dying). Any ideas on what can cause the squeaking noise? It sounds like your rubbing your wet shoe on a linoleum floor type squeaking, it's very faint sounding and sometimes gets louder or softer and seems to be in a constant sequence (not like the HDD would sound). Everything still functions fine, my server still runs, never crashes, but I want to address this issue before I end up loosing something.

Also, I never really noticed hearing noises from my HDD even when it is accessing data, it is extremely quiet. Do you guys think it is a fan? I'm baffled.

Specifics:
Dell dimension 2400
Pent4 CPU Socket
128+512MB RAM
Original EVERYTHING, HDD, PS, nothing has been replaced since I bought it 4 years ago

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!
-Eric

 

You can put your finger on the panels of the case. I have a noisy fan and discovered it's location by pressing the panels. Now I know that the noise is coming from the back, trouble is, there are two case fans and the PSU fan all side by side, next step is to open the case and carefully press the frames of the fans or I can disconnect the power to the case fans.

Panels can start to vibrate from the running of drives, it may just be a matter of loosening the drive's mounting bolts (moving the drive slightly) and retightening. Is the drive pushed close to a case panel? On most computers there are spare drive bays if it might require relocation.

Matt

 

Yeah, the HDD is pushed up against the very front of the case in a vertical position. There are spare drive bays though that are horzionally... does it make sense that maybe the case the HDD is sitting in could be squeaking? I'm still thinking that it's a fan that's starting to go though... it sounds much more likely.

 

You will need to "home in" on the culprit using your finger. Touch the frame of fans and the case of the HDD carefully, also on the panels near them and see if the noise changes tone.