PC making high pitched whirring sound

butterfly72

My PC has started making a high pitched whirring sound. At first it was occasionally now it seems to be all the time. The OH has just taken the side casing off and the noise has stopped. But tbh he doesn't have a clue as to why the noise has suddenly stopped or what to do now!!! Any suggestions?
Many thanks.

TechTerry

First thing to do is backup all your important data, it could be a sign that your HDD will fail, however it could be something else.

It may just be the vibrations from the HDD or DVD drive or Fans, but still, backup your data just in case.

piggeh

If it's a continuous beeping noise it could be a motherboard warning about overheating.

hansi

My old computer developed that fault, it turned out to be the power supply unit.

evilgoose

If it is a whirring noise rather than a beeping then it can only be a few things which cause it:-

1. A Fan
2. Your HDD
3. Your CD/DVD drive.

I'd assume it's probably either a fan or a cd/dvd. Was there a fan on the side panel which your OH took off?

TechTerry

It could be a fan in your Power Supply Unit as well. When you replace the side of the case does it start making the noise again?

butterfly72

Thanks everyone. The fans are on the opposite sides - not on the side taken off. The OH thought the noise was coming from the motherboard but didn't think it was possible! Do motherboards really warn of overheating? We've put the side back on to see if the noise starts up again.
cheers

mdbarber

butterfly72 wrote: »

Thanks everyone. The fans are on the opposite sides - not on the side taken off. The OH thought the noise was coming from the motherboard but didn't think it was possible! Do motherboards really warn of overheating? We've put the side back on to see if the noise starts up again.
cheers

yes some can, but in this instance it's more likely simply making the fan work harder, hence the decrease in noise when lots of cooler air is introduced.
With the power to the pc off, remove side and look for a largish (5-8cm fan facing you, this covers the cpu heat sink and will probably have a lot of dust under the fan. Get a small natural fibre paintbrush and brush between the fan blades removing that should quiet things down some.

evilgoose

there is possibly a small fan on your motherboard as well, around 4 to 5 cm's, they can be noisey at the best of times, but in the warm weather they speed up and get louder.

Another suggestion might be to use a spray duster (just a can of compressed air really).
With the PC off and unpluged.
Take off the side panel, put your vaccuum cleaner on nearby and give the PC a dust from the front 'air intake' working back towards the power supply.
Dont keep your finger pressed - use short bursts - otherwise the can will get VERY cold and you can get ice.

piggeh

Try reapplying the thermal paste between the cpu and heatsink if you know how - this can disintegrate gradually and then the cpu will get hotter during normal performance, which will in turn make fans spin quicker, make noises come from the motherboard warning you as well.

Otherwise you can try improving airflow by tidying up the cables and giving the inside a clean from dust.