Started yesterday, an occasional humming sound, like an airplane engine. Thought it might be either the case fan or maybe HSF. Popped open the side & looked in, everything seemed to be running normally, couldn't pin down where in the case the sound was occuring.

When I turned on the comp this morning, there was a very loud awful grinding sound. HSF was still running, but the outside of the case behind the motherboard against the Athlon CPU was a bit warm. I quickly burned 2 backup CDs of files I've worked on this week then shut off the comp [using comp #2 now].

Anyone have any ideas if it is the HD, HSF or something else, what is going wrong & about to die?

I want to order any necessary replacement parts ASAP.

Please help, TIA

Well, it's definitely one of the spinning bits, so either a fan or hard drive.

Take the cover off the case, turn it back on, and locate the source of the noise.

If you can't determine it easily, and the noise begins immediately when you turn it on, you could try unplugging the power lines to the hard drive and each of the fans, one at a time,. Try it with the hard drive disconnected first. Be sure not to leave things running with the fans disconnected for very long (only for a second or two), especially the HSF (do that last).

Garsh gives some good advice. If you can't readily determine what is making the noise then it's just a process of elimination. However, I would not disconnect the HSF. The processor will get very hot and can be damged or burn out in a matter of seconds.

Another thing to look for is if a fan is hitting one of the cables.

And in case it's not obvious:

Turn off computer, then disconnect hard drive/fan, then turn on computer for 1 second, repeat.

Working on comp #2 for now, will try all your suggestions later.

Thanks









amazing how you forget every password & url once you save/bookmark them

You don't need to unplug your fans, simply stop them with your finger (not your power supply!). And it is a good idea to unplug your hard drives before this too, as said before.

It's the fan on the heat sink. It seems to have rattled a bit loose, tried tightening up the screws but they won't hold tight.

Anyone know of any good deals on a new HSF?

exactly what i was going to suggest. also it's easier on the fingers if you touch the center of the fan instead of the edges. some times the blades hurt quite a bit if you try to stop them that way, though you shouldn't be expecting any chopped fingers.

//krunk (^_^x)

I love my zalman AlCu - they are around $30 shipped. However, installing it will neccessitate removing the mobo, which you may not want to do. However, if it's a recent Athlon, you may have to do that anyway.

no chopped fingers, but a knuckle felt the pain










The hardest part of building any comp, at least for me, is getting that dang HSF clip on over the processor. Will try the socket handle trick & see if that is easier than a screwdriver.

physically, I agree, though they've gotten a lot better. before my screw driver would slip and jam into my motherboard several times before the clip snaps on correctly. everytime it slips, i just imagine that i screwed up the motherboard in some way.

but mentally, i think the hardest part is actually pushing that power button. the reaction after the power button is pushed can either give you the feeling of you've conquered the world or the feeling of you've lost everything. after hours of putting something together, it becomes devasting if your machine won't boot up, but if it does, you're extremely happy.

//krunk (^_^x)

Which Athlon CPU do you have?
Take a look at the MASSCOOL WhisperRock II, but make sure it's compatible with your processor.