Timewaster's Guide Archive

General => Rants and Stuff => Topic started by: Tekiel on June 07, 2005, 12:24:23 AM

Title: Stupid computer
Post by: Tekiel on June 07, 2005, 12:24:23 AM

My computer was making a lot of noise, more than normal - enough so that I couldn't leave it on at night while I slept.  So I'm thinking, I'll just get a new case with a better fan and stuff (not that I know that much about computers).  The new case is wonderful, and it's whole selling point is how quite it makes your computer.  So I move everything over - amazingly everything goes smoothly and no problems.
However . .. it wasn't my case making all that noise.  I just found out it was the little fan on my motherboard!  >:(  So this either means I try and buy a new fan somewhere (for my 5 year old motherboard) or I get a new motherboard (and all the accesories required when you get a new motherboard).  Grrrrr....

(Option C: leave it alone and turn it off every night.  I'd rather not because the noise is seriously worrying me.)

Title: Re: Stupid computer
Post by: Peter Ahlstrom on June 07, 2005, 02:13:02 AM

Can you clean the fan?

Also, sleep the computer at night...

Title: Re: Stupid computer
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on June 07, 2005, 09:19:54 AM

in terms of how much parts cost, the processor fan is realtively inexpensive. Of course, now they have "cooling systems" which involve complex interactions of multiple fans and heat sinks...

Anyway, try cleaning hte fan, if that helps, good. If it doesn't, I wouldn't ignore it.  A fan that has turned noisy is probably starting to malfunction. You do NOT want to leave your processor uncooled. They tend to meltdown or burn themselves out. And THAT will be more expensive than replacing the fan.

Title: Re: Stupid computer
Post by: Tekiel on June 07, 2005, 03:13:27 PM

I cleaned the fan when I moved it over to the new case.  I'm not sure, but I think it made more noise.  Maybe there's less dust to insulate all the noise now.  Anyway, I'll just get a new fan soon.  Also, I'm not sure if my computer can sleep at night.

Title: Re: Stupid computer
Post by: Peter Ahlstrom on June 07, 2005, 04:21:29 PM

Well, if you are running a server or downloading large files overnight, it can't, but if you're not doing anything special, then it should be possible...

Title: Re: Stupid computer
Post by: The Jade Knight on June 07, 2005, 05:05:57 PM

My laptop fan makes quite a bit of noise.  I'm not sure, but I think it's been this way for a very long time (perhaps since I got it?)

Is this something I should be concerned about?

Title: Re: Stupid computer
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on June 07, 2005, 05:30:46 PM

is it just a loud fan? or does it crunch or grind?

Title: Re: Stupid computer
Post by: The Jade Knight on June 07, 2005, 05:35:04 PM

It's just a loud fan.  No grinding or anything.

Title: Re: Stupid computer
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on June 07, 2005, 10:02:14 PM

If it's always done it, I wouldn't worry about it. Some fans are just loud. If it suddenly goes quiet, THEN worry.

Title: Re: Stupid computer
Post by: Archon on June 07, 2005, 11:15:26 PM

And if it starts writing redrum all over the walls, contact the police immediately.

Title: Re: Stupid computer
Post by: The Jade Knight on June 08, 2005, 12:35:07 AM

You know, REDRUM is written on one of my walls - the door frame, actually.  In black ink.