Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[The Cosmic Fool]

Like the topic says, I'm having a bit of trouble with my computer. Two things.

Problem A) It's making a strange, loud noise whenever I turn it on from being turned off for a few hours. When I try to duplicate this said noise by turning the computer off and on, it won't make the noise at all. The sound itself lasts for about 20 - 30 seconds then stops. It's loud and angry.

I'm thinking the culprit may be the power supply or the hard drive. If I can't replicate the noise, it's hard for me to tell where the source is coming from.

Problem B) The lesser of two evils is that my H.D.D LED is always on. My computer is not loading or processing anything, but it just stays solid. I'm aware that this is probably an issue with the pins on the motherboard, but I've already taken out the H.D.D LED cables and plugged them back in. I just noticed the issue this morning. It's never happened before.

Any help would be awesome. I'll update if I fix something, or something changes.

[jhocking]

First off, backup immediately.  If the noise is coming from your harddrive, it is dying.  If you are planning to replace the harddrive, you can have both installed and simply clone the old one to the new.

Personally, I would be more suspicious of the cooling fan.

[The Cosmic Fool]

Well, the power supply has been replaced twice before. The one I have now hasn't been causing me problems. So that takes one device off the list.

I'm starting to suspect it is the hard drive, simply by the sound it makes. It's more akin to an buzzerlike alarm. The sound lasts the same amount of time, everytime. I haven't noticed any issues with the hard drive before, but I'm not doubting that it is on its last legs.

I've checked all the fans in the box, and nothing seems to be damaged or jammed.

[Rubby]

Is there an inordinate amount of dust or grime in either of the fans or that…um…grate which protects the processor? My computer sounded like a fucking jet engine before cleaning all that stuff out.
Other than that, I’m gonna have to go with hard drive failure as well. Check if the manufacturer has any diagnostic tools you can run. I would definitely back up if I were you. I’ve recently been the victim of a dead drive which held all my documents.
Very painful.

[not_inspired]

the hd led will probably be a problem with the motherboard and if you have a buzzerlike sound then it may be a fan on the motherboard.

[Sckitzo]

Just and idea on the light, some viruses will make your HD run all the time, have you done a spyware/virus check lately?

Thats about all the help I can be besides suggesting if you do op for a new HDD head over to www.newegg.com

[nihilist]

That noise?  HD failure imminent.

[Melodic]

Smash the harddrive to bits! Mallet or hammer, or even a large rock! That'll shut the bugger up!

[Sweetlogan]

There are a few things I'd like to note... (assuming you have a desktop)
To check if the sound is your HD, disconnect the power cord from your HD and start your computer.  If the sounds is not present, it was most likely the HD.  If it is still present, I would say case fan or CPU fan.  My system does the same thing, reboots do not recreate the sound because the fans never stop spinning.
With the addition of the HD LED problem, if it started at the same time as the sound, I fear the worst and your HD is dying.
Honestly, I have no advice for the LED problem if it is not the HD.  Remove the wire from the Mobo and put it back on.  If that does not solve the problem, and it bugs you... disconnect it entirely.
If it is your harddrive, replace it as soon as humanly possible.  If you have to wait due to budget for any length, backup your important files on removable storage now.
If you believe it to be the CPU fan, and cleaning doesn't help, I would suggest replacing the fan if you have the funds and know-how.  It may be unnecessary, but the CPU is a rather key component and heat is a bad thing for it.
No matter what I suggest cleaning the dust from your computer regularly.  I have an acrylic case with 5 case fans.... it gets dusty fast and you can see right through the case.  But that dust builds up in the fans creating a heat and (however unlikely) fire hazard.
If I can help any more, let me know... and if anyone reads this and disagrees, post your opinion... I have no problem being corrected especially if someone else's system might be affected.