Noisy Computer.

[G2C2C]

I am working on a HP Pavilion PC. Over the last couple of days it has started to make a very annoying loudish noise that sounds like a fan or something. Is there anything that can be done about this which does not involve opening up the thing?

[daffy654]

It needs a clean. I would bet the fans (case fan, graphic card and processor fan) are coated with dust that needs gently cleaning off.

[Old_Geezer]

To clean the fan you'd probably need to open up the case to get at it.
You could try dusting it through the grid if you wish, perhaps with an craft paint brush.

[daffy654]

A can of compressed air would be better than poking at the fan through the case with a paintbrush.

Just open the case though and either brush with an anti-static brush or spray compressed air from a can.

[MarkRae]

In my experience, by far the best way to "de-gunk" a computer is to take it outside, remove as many panels as you can, and then blast it with this: http://www.maplin.co....-off-airduster-345490

[daffy654]

I have 2 of those exact same cans sitting on the cupboard next to me at this moment Mark.

[maggiebee]

Would a blow with a hairdryer on cold setting work?

[daffy654]

It isn't really advisable Maggiebee. The compressed air is cheap and easy to get hold of.

[Old_Geezer]

Did we not have warnings here regarding back voltages when using compressed air to spin the fan ?

[daffy654]

The computer should be unplugged when using compressed air, why would that have any effect on voltages?

[Old_Geezer]

Unpluggiing the mains would have no effect on a motor/generator generating volts from motion.

[daffy654]

I always prevent the fans from moving at all by holding one of the blades gently anyway, it would be very difficult to remove the dust if the fan was moving round.

[chas2008]

i actually look after 6 PCs , the enviroment here is really dusty/dirty, i take the covers every few months and blow them out with an industrial airline (garage spec) after 6 years i have never damaged one yet....you should see the c**p that comes out of them....

[chas2008]

and i spin the fans with the airline until they whistle...again not had a problem..

[ChuckFickens]

Yes, OG, I've warned people about the "back voltage" you can get from spinning fans with an air duster, which is why you should hold the fans still while cleaning them.

The fans make a nice loud whistling sound when they are spun up with an airline and people tend to go "oooooo what a nice sound" and try and get it as loud/high pitched as possible which risks blowing the motherboard!

[rov1100]

I once worked with a very noisy computer. In that case it wasn't the fan. The hard disk was split into partitions and because one of the partitions that held the data was so small the drive head made a real clatter trying to access both areas.