Strange Noises

[NotAGolf]

Over the last few days i've been hearing some strange noises coming from my computer. It's not that loud but it sounds like something is vibrating against the metal of the case. It's hard to pinpoint where the noises is coming from because it's a very clever computer and it stops making noises whenever you go near it.

I think it may be one of my hard drives because it seems to make noises only when i'm doing something on the computer, but i think it may be the drive I use for storing stuff so therefore it doesnt access it frequently. It's worse when i'm downloading as well, I guess because the drive is being accessed constantly. Yesterday I went in and tightened up all the screws round the hard drive, a couple did seem a litle loose but nothing drastic. But hey ho I wake up today and the noises are back. I didn't hear anything after i tightened them up yesterday but like I said the noises dont alway happen.

Any thing I might have missed here that you think may be making the noise? Or how to solve it? And could it be the signs of a hard drive on it's way out?

btw the drives are a samsung spinpoint 160GB and a WD2500KS Caviar SE 250GB .

Thanks peeps.

 

[Cairnsey]

I have a similar problem, but I know where mines coming from but can't be bothered to do anything about it. The noise (rattling) is coming from my Arctic Cooling Silencer on my 9700pro and is solved when I hit the computer after its been on a while. In your case if you suspect the Hard Drive, back up your data as it may well be on its way out, better safe than sorry. My only advice is to check fans in your case for dust, and try unplugging one or two at a time to rule them out.

 

[Firegod]

Over the last few days i've been hearing some strange noises coming from my computer. It's not that loud but it sounds like something is vibrating against the metal of the case. It's hard to pinpoint where the noises is coming from because it's a very clever computer and it stops making noises whenever you go near it.

I think it may be one of my hard drives because it seems to make noises only when i'm doing something on the computer, but i think it may be the drive I use for storing stuff so therefore it doesnt access it frequently. It's worse when i'm downloading as well, I guess because the drive is being accessed constantly. Yesterday I went in and tightened up all the screws round the hard drive, a couple did seem a litle loose but nothing drastic. But hey ho I wake up today and the noises are back. I didn't hear anything after i tightened them up yesterday but like I said the noises dont alway happen.

Any thing I might have missed here that you think may be making the noise? Or how to solve it? And could it be the signs of a hard drive on it's way out?

btw the drives are a samsung spinpoint 160GB and a WD2500KS Caviar SE 250GB .

Thanks peeps.

Does it still make the noise if you take the hdd's out and run them out of the PC? I have a noise which I can faintly hear when sitting to the left of my PC. If I sit the other side I can't here it. Tbh, I have my music that loud I'm surprised I can hear at all. lol.

 

[ChrisJSY]

I have a similar problem, but I know where mines coming from but can't be bothered to do anything about it. The noise (rattling) is coming from my Arctic Cooling Silencer on my 9700pro and is solved when I hit the computer after its been on a while. In your case if you suspect the Hard Drive, back up your data as it may well be on its way out, better safe than sorry. My only advice is to check fans in your case for dust, and try unplugging one or two at a time to rule them out.

Hehe I love it, there you have a HDD spinning at god knows what rpm and the poor little head is vibrating against the platter when you give it a knock.

Yeah, they withstand a lot of punishment but you should treat her better

 

[Iniar]

I had a similar issue and it was the fan on my 6800GT, arctic cooler thing. Check all the fans before you start getitng onto the more expensive components i reckon.

Occams razor 4tw!

 

[NotAGolf]

Thanks for the replies, well the noise really isnt annoying when i'm on my comp cos i always have music/games etc running so i cant hear the computer. It's just when i leave it on over night it's a problem.

I did have a similar problem with an older rig but the noise whas much louder, it was also the fan on the gfx card so i'm starting to think it may be this. I solved it last time by titlting the computer on is side/giving it the occasional 'tap' .

If it is the gfx fan is there anything I can do to stop it? The problem often stops if i move the computer as well, at least briefly so its just hard to pinpoint the noise.

What do you guys reckon it is more likely to be: just an irritation or something on it's way out?

 

[Cairnsey]

Just an irritation, like I said, check fans, use hdd outside of case, process of elimination, if its gfx fan buy another one (cooler or whole card with maybe a passive solution)

I hear Zalmans are quite good (3rd party gfx card cooler)