Computer on overdrive - fan?

Do computers have fans in them? Something makes me think they do, and if they do, could that be what is racing like mad in my computer after it's been on for a few minutes...sounds like a CD drive on speed, but that isn't what is causing it...

Help!

Do you vacuum over the back of the computer Tigger? You should see a air inlet type vent and that is where my fan is. Try giving it a good vacuum using the soft bristle attachment when the computer is off, because they attract dust very easily from trying to keep/fan the motor cool.

That might help.

quote:Originally posted by swaggie

Do you vacuum over the back of the computer Tigger?

Eh???? [:0] I'm of MM's approach to housekeeping, so, no [}]

Will give it a go

Just tried that Swaggie and it has calmed it down a bit, but by the look of it is awful dusty inside, will take the casing off and give it a good clean over...

Mine did that a few years ago. When we took it apart, it had about 18,000 yards of cat hair wrapped around it. Well.. give or take a few yards:D

You can actually open up the housing and clean it out that way, you'll do a much better job than just vacuuming the back (although that does help if you do it every week, which I do not:D).

Ours will most likely be dog hair [}]

This problem may also be caused by the bearings in the fan being about to give out. In the latter stages, they make all sorts of horrible graunching noises like a distant concrete mixer [:0] before seizing up completely. At that stage, your computer will probably overheat due to lack of ventilation [V]

New fans are quite cheap and it won't take much time for the techy at your local computer shop to replace them. If the vacuuming idea doesn't get rid of the noise, I would take your PC in to your local techy without delay. Something is definitely wrong if this noise continues -- especially if it gets worse

It has certainly calmed down a fair bit since I vacuumed it, will give it a good clean later on and see if improves. I am planning to take it into the techy mid January if it lasts that long, if the fan noise stops altogether it will be in sooner!

Ya did well tigger remembering how to switch the vacuum cleaner on!

Oooh 'twas scary, MM, always afraid it's gonna jump up and bite me, or that I'll break out in hives! [}]

Thats always a big worry eh? ;-P

quote:Originally posted by maggies mum

Thats always a big worry eh? ;-P

My theory is the replacement cost is the bigger worry....[8D]

Tigger, I'm your tekkie, bring it out here and I'll blow, blast and wash all the crud out. Maybe give it a tune up as well.

I think cpu's have 3 fans (thats just wot I red aint ackully seen them) Do you have a ?puffer? brush? Swish that all around inside works better than vacuuming.

We recently had to send ours in for a new power pack, (came back with a new board and still did not start up another story).
We were told to clean it out with the compressor every 6 months [:0]
Sounds drastic for a fragile piece of electronics.
Can't believe where the dust comes from, it is not on the ground and under a desk [:0].
Thank goodness he did not mention vacuum cleaners [}]