Power Supply fan making noise

The fan on my power supply is making an awful noise when I turn my computer on. Now I leave my computer on all the time and I don't have the noise-it is now warmed up I guess. I think I need a new power supply. Am I right? I have a Pentium 111 80Gig with 512 Ram, Windows XP Professional, DVD Drive and CDRW Drive. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Hi Barbie: You should be able to replace just the PSU fan. Most outlets that carry computers (i.e. Staples, Future Shop, your local computer shop) should carry replacement fans. Cost should be minimal.

I had one go on an old 386 a few years ago and just replaced it with one from a scrapped IBM computer. If you do the work yourself, just make sure you get the red and black wires hooked up so the fan is turning in the right directions. (Blowing out.) Not all fans turn the same way when wires are hooked up according to color. You may have to hook red to black and black to red!!!

You should be able to get the voltage/rpm info off the existing fan so you can order one the same.

 

Barbie, I had the exact same problem, fan sounding like a chainsaw!

I took it back to the shop and when I went to get the computer back he said that a new power supply had been put in.

I thought it wud of been more of a fan fault like what JohnB said but thats what he said. Nevermind. Fixed now.

 

Sometimes the fan can't be easily replaced because it's soldered to the circuit board in the power supply in which case, if you don't know what you're doing it would be easier and cheaper to replace the power supply.

 

Thanks all of you guys. Will open the case tomorrow and see what kind I have and also if it is soldered or not. I hope it isn't.
Barbie

 

Hi all.

A lot of the time the noise is caused by the fan being off balance. Dust and dirt builds up on the blades and sometimes it pops off on one blade and throws it out of balance and it gets noisy.

In that case I usually unplug the power supply from everything, take out the 4 screws on the back and get it out of the case. Usually 4 screws to pull off the cover and 4 screws to get the fan out. Be sure and note the out direction of the fan. Sometimes the fan wires are soldered in but they are usually long enough to work on the fan. Clean all surfaces with a tooth brush. Put everything back in and it usually eliminates the noise.

Even tho, if it's an old power supply I would replace it. The parts get old and that is a very important part of the computer. It's worth the bucks to replace it if you're going to keep the computer for awhile. Usually any voltage at or over the one you have will be fine. I run an Antec True330. It has some very good features and is very quiet.

 

Thanks Giles.
The Power Supply is 4 years old, so I think I will take your advice and just replace it. I am running a 300 Power Supply now so will look for a quiet larger one. I don't plan on getting a new computer for another year. Have upgraded mostly everything in the one I have so a new Power Supply won't be a big deal.

 

If we are taking about cracking open power supplies here - please keep in mind that a power supply mutch like a monitor can hold an electrical charge even when turned off and unplugged!!

If your not familiar with what's dangerous and what's not inside a power supply it's safer just to replace it.

Gary

 

Thanks Gary. I am going to replace the Power Supply.

Barbie

 

Hi, Barbie: Here's a new one for you. My power supply fan sounded horrible. I took it out and took the cover off the fan to look at it ... thought there might be a loose ***** or something ... and found a long strip of cellophane shining in back of the fan.
I took a tweezers and pulled it out. That was it. Didn't have to buy a new ps. (Remember when you used to put cards on your bike wheels? That's what it sounded like.

Wiry

 

Cards? Balloons were much better - good throaty sound.

 

Yes, be very careful if you remove the PSU cover. The capacitors in it can hold a lethal charge just like a TV or monitor...even when unplugged.

One guy posted that he got blasted across the room while working on his power supply.