PC fan keeps coming on ................

[casalguidi]

During the heatwave, the fan on the computer started up a number of times and put it down to the climate but now it is starting up quite often ie. when the screen saver comes up and as soon as son starts to load/play "Championship Manager" (from CD).

Has anybody any idea why this is happening and could it be a problem?

Casalguidi

[bodger]

Never had a comp where the fan didn't run all the time, usually a problem if it's not running. bodger

[casalguidi]

Hi Bodger

Yes, I believe it is running all the time albeit rather silently then all of a sudden (as listed above) it sounds like some kind of "turbo" ie. similar decibels to the hoover

Well maybe that is a slight exaggeration but it also makes the sound for a split second when the PC starts up or is restarted

Casalguidi

[Gadget]

Hi

Are you sure that it's a fan and not the hard drive?

This gives some ideas about how to find out and poss solutions:

http://www.murraymoffatt.com/hardware-problem-0004.html

Gadget

[Necromancer]

Casal' - is it a Laptop or a desktop ?


BTW, this advice from that website is pragmatic - but I'd use something non-conductive with power on !

If the noise appears to be coming from the fan over the CPU then you can confirm this by carefully sticking a paper clip or small screw driver into the fan's blades and seeing if the noise stops (this sounds rather drastic but it will tell you straight away if it's the fan or not). Don't stop the fan for too long, a second or two is all it takes to see if the noise stops. Use the same method for checking the fan on your video card.

[casalguidi]

Hi Gadget

Are you sure that it's a fan and not the hard drive?

It definitely sounds like a fan cutting in (similar to a normal fan noise).  Didn't previously notice any pattern and thought it was due to the heatwave and the computer having been continually used all day etc. but now it seems to be happening at particular times

I've just taken a look at that link but don't think I'm any the wiser ............... it is like a normal fan noise as if there is a turbo feature that is designed to cut in as and when - does that make sense - but I'm not sure that there is any such feature (HP T849 with new hard drive fitted earlier this year)

Scroppers - it's a desktop.

Casalguidi

[casalguidi]

Just thought I'd let the screen saver come on so as I could get on my hands & knees and have a real good listen to the noise .............................. guess what - the noise didn't happen .........doh

Casalguidi

[Necromancer]

One thing you can do safely from the outside is to check the fan of the Power Supply (PSU) - it will be a caged opening at the back - about 2.5" diameter - make sure its pushing air out, and see if its an obvious source of the noise.

Also check all air-intake slots in the case rear and sides for blockage (fluff and dust can build up fast)

Otherwise, it will most likely be the CPU fan mounted on its heatsink. I'd advise a visual inspection first and a look for anything obvious gumming up the works.... the fact that you get the 'turbo' effect suggests that the fan occasionally gets up to speed....

Did your PC come with any software labelled 'PC Health' or similar ? If so, it can run and give you (graphical) readouts of 'health' - including fan rpm .... you could monitor ...

Mine sounds like a lawnmower with stones on startup, but gradually revs up and stays steady at about 4000 rpm - next time I'm inside the box I'll change it - less than a tenner from most suppliers, and you can buy online at www.novatech.co.uk

Good luck !

PS. I asked about Laptop as they do have a fan that cuts in with system temp' increases - I'not 100% sure that Desktops have this feature, or a 'boost' - but could be wrong...

[Gadget]

Hi Casaguili

What Scroppers says is a possiblility. My No. 3 computer started making rather nasty noises last year. it was eventually diagnosed as the power supply - new one fitted - works a treat 

You could get your son to do whatever he does and stand over it to listen where the noise is coming from 

Does the case get hot?

Gadget