Right now, I'm typing on my mom's computer. Today, my computer is making this high, annoying, ear piercing sound. I'm not sure why it's doing that. Also, the computer tower (thing) is rather warm. Does it mean that it's gonna crash any second? If so, what to do? Should I just shut it off for the night and let it cool down or something? Thanks for any help in advance.

:)

I would suspect that you need a new fan. But, I'm not the competer nerd on this board.

I got one for you. For the last 2.5 weeks, when I try to access the Disneyland Resort Booking engine, I get a screen that says "Our booking engine is currently down, please call .....". No big deal, Ive seen this before. The funny thing is, when I try the WDW route, it works fine(in the past they always went down at the same time). Now I know they go down from time to time but two plus weeks seems excessive---

So anyway, I forgot about it for a while, when one day I was using a different computer and found that the booking engine worked fine . So when I went home, fired up my computer, and once again, it was down. Back to the other computer, and it works fine.

Conclusion: Something on my computer is causing this message to come up. My computer works fine otherwise........... :confused:

Right now, I'm typing on my mom's computer. Today, my computer is making this high, annoying, ear piercing sound. I'm not sure why it's doing that. Also, the computer tower (thing) is rather warm. Sounds like a problem with either the CPU fan or the power supply fan. In either case, if you're not comfortable working inside the case, you'll want to seek professional service--and soon. Modern computers depend heavily on their cooling systems.

I agree with Andrew, but err more on the side of the power supply being bad.

I've had that problem before, and the PS was the culprit...I think they're supposed to make that sound when they're going bad (I don't know that for sure...)

Anyways, tho, check (or have someone else check) the power supply fan and see.

Demigod

Annoying ear piercing sounds can from from:

1. A fan, to test this use the pencil test. Use the eraser end of a pencil to stop the fan while it is running. If the noise stops... Most PC's will have a fan near the power supply, one in front, and one or two inside the case (ie cpu or graphics)

2. The Hard drive. If you don't mind a bit of case diving, turn off the PC, open up the case and pull of the power plug from each hard drive and CD/DVD. Start the PC. No noise means... Replace the drive.

3. Power supply, if it ain't the fans and it ain't the drives it's probably time for a new power supply.

What they said. If you are not comfortable with the computer, don't worry. The first time I preformed Surgery, I was scared too. Its really easy though. If you still don't want to, see if your warrenty covers support, and call them up. They can help you through it over the phone, maybe even supply you with the parts.

Erg, I'm so stupid. Before reading all your replies, I found the fan, with the computer off, and I guess I stuck a pencil or screwdriver (I forgot shush) inside, and a small spark came out. So, then I turn the tower back up, press the power button, and nothing happens. I bet I fried it. Have to call HP.

GAAAAAAAAAAH

I'm so stupid :mad: :(

I did specify "eraser" :crying: I typically just use my finger, glad you didn't try that...

Some power supplies come with a built in breaker. Look around on the back near where the power cord plugs in.

well I did that before I looked at the replies :( *stupidme* I guess I jabbed the screwdriver in too far :(

Some power supplies come with a built in breaker. Look around on the back near where the power cord plugs in.
what's a breaker?

well I did that before I looked at the replies :( *stupidme* I guess I jabbed the screwdriver in too far :(


what's a breaker?


Well, if you jabbed a screwdriver into it, you may have discharged some static inside. You're lucky to be alive! (just kidding)


A breaker is like a fuse.

Well, my dad took the tower to his office and about half an hour ago, he called me on my cell and said that it can be fixed (thank God), but it costs $110 :eek: He didn't tell me exactly what I killed though...

It should be fixed, at the latest, by Friday. :)

it can be fixed (thank God), but it costs $110 :eek: The important question is, is he going to want to be paid back? Glad it wasn't too bad.

I'm gonna pay him back whether he wants it or not or else I'd be feeling awfully guilty for letting my dad pay for something I messed up on.

Well, my dad took the tower to his office and about half an hour ago, he called me on my cell and said that it can be fixed (thank God), but it costs $110 :eek: He didn't tell me exactly what I killed though...

It should be fixed, at the latest, by Friday. :)

Sounds like your dad got ripped. A power supply fan costs $30. A CPU fan is $10-15. I know this.. I repair pc's for a living and the noise is most likely the power supply fan going out. I've had many clients who had the same symptoms and it was the power supply fan.

I'm gonna pay him back whether he wants it or not or else I'd be feeling awfully guilty for letting my dad pay for something I messed up on.

You didn't neccessarily mess it up - it just gave up the ghost while you watched. :D Stopping an already overheated fan motor might have been just enough to make it pop and spark a bit as it finally died, they run from the 12-volt power buss in the power supply.

All computer parts have an expected lifespan (measured as "mean time between failures") and the fan motors, being mechanical with ball bearings inside, will only last a few years running 24/7. Even when shut down at night, the lubricants still dry out in the bearings over several years.

For future reference, the power supply is the big silver box that has the power input connection and the fan grille on the back of the computer. They run from $20 to $75 for a complete new one, and are 'take out 4 screws, unplug all the wires, pop-out, pop-in, connect the wires' to change. $110 total would be about right.

If it was only the CPU fan inside on the mainboard, that would be a bit high for the parts and labor to replace it, but you never know...

Something to remember for next time; The fans and the whole power supply are items you can change yourself (if you can locate the proper replacement parts, of course) - though opening up the power supply to just change the fan inside it isn't a job for a complete novice. You can buy a reference book like "Repairing and Upgrading your PC" to walk you through diagnosing and fixing these little repairs.

:fez: --<< Bruce >>--