My computer's making a strange noise

Factual Questions
1

I’m not sure what it is. The noise seems to be coming from where the processor is, so I thought that the fan was causing it. I’ve cleaned the fan and the heatsink, which seemed to stop the noise. However, it returned after the computer was on for an hour or so.

Now the whurring noise only occurs when I first turn on the computer and after it’s been on about twenty minutes.

My computer’s working normally besides that though. The OS and all programs have loaded properly and nothing is slow, but the noise still concerns me.

Should I get this looked at or do you think it’s okay to leave it alone?

2

It’s almost certainly the bearings on your fan drying out… this has happened to me a few times (we live in a dusty area and I smoke around the 'puter too much). If you’re feeling adventurous, remove the fan and put a few drops of lubricant into the bit of the fan where the “sails” (can’t think of a better description) meet the body. Spin it around manually a while to spread the stuff and you’re away. If not, just replace it.

I’ve done this with CPU and PSU fans very successfully. If you leave it the fans should continue working but the noise will get worse to unbearable.

3

Should just add, the lubricant goes on the underside of your fan, where the “sails” meet the body. I’ve also heard people say you should peel back the sticker on the front of your fan and stick a few drops in there, but that didn’t do anything for me.

4
  1. Open case.
  2. Wait until noise starts, then put finger on heatsink fan to stop it from spinning momentarily.
  3. If noise stops, buy a new heatsink\fan. If noise doesn’t stop, problem is elsewehere.

If you have a recent (i.e. P4) PC, I recommend the Zalman line of heatsinks - pure copper with huge quality fans…

5

Okay, I did what you suggested Rex, and it wasn’t the fan on the processor, but it is the fan on my graphics card that’s making the noise. It’s good to know the sound isn’t from my hard drive messing up or something like that.

I don’t know if I’m adventurous enough to do anything to the fan besides replace it MrBerious. Thank you for the idea though. I was getting worried about my computer since I had never heard the noise before.