Fan muck :D

[charlesr]

Thought my desktop fans were struggling a bit, but everything looked clean. Then realised there was a grill behind the grill. Which was full of dust. Nasty.

Vacuumed it out and now all fans are running super slowly. Not quite as bad as some of the pics theregister put up, but close.... Check your grills, people!

[monel]

A bit off topic, but my case fan has started to make a strange, loud sound when the pc boots up. After rebooting the noise dies down a bit and then stops.

I was going to replace it soon, but does anyone have any idea what could be the cause?

Oh yeah about the dirt-my pc is on a carpeted surface and when I open it up I can't believe how much crap is in there. Thinking about getting some kind of small surface to place it on.

[briareos_kerensky]

A bit off topic, but my case fan has started to make a strange, loud sound when the pc boots up. After rebooting the noise dies down a bit and then stops.

Highly scientific approach: does the noise sounds as a continous "Gu-gnaaaaaaaaaa", sometimes turning into a "gnaaaaaaaaaa-gnaaaaaaaa-gnaaaaaa"?

It might simply be a clogged fan or the motor dying.

[abigsmurf]

Could be the bearings wearing out, grinding around until it gets up to speed.

[monel]

Highly scientific approach: does the noise sounds as a continous "Gu-gnaaaaaaaaaa", sometimes turning into a "gnaaaaaaaaaa-gnaaaaaaaa-gnaaaaaa"?

It might simply be a clogged fan or the motor dying.

It's hard to explain, it's a VERY loud sound when I boot up (continuous sound I think), but tapping on the back of the case sometimes makes it quieter, as does rebooting. After which it still makes some noise (less though) for a minute before quietening down.



I'm going to replace it asap but it's funny, I've recently replaced/upgraded a few parts in the machine and now this happens-sod's law.

Thanks to everyone for replying.

[Brad]

Awwww. When I saw this topic I was expecting a discussion on fan-made erotic literature.

[briareos_kerensky]

I'm going to replace it asap but it's funny, I've recently replaced/upgraded a few parts in the machine and now this happens-sod's law.

If parts are relatively new and everything's clean it might be a loose screw on moving parts (fans, HDDs). You might want to try rubber screws (like these, sorry far a link to an Italian shop), they are great to elimate all kinds of vibrations between fans and the chassis.

[monel]

Thank you for your help and advice.

I recently replaced the PSU and hard drive. Put in a new CPU fan sometime last year, a while ago now though.

The noise is definitely coming from the case fan though, which I haven't touched. Confused.

[monel]

Replaced the case fan, do you guys recommend the fan blowing outwards or into the case?

I was advised to go for the former.

BTW-how should I clean the muck behind the blades on my CPU fan? Compressed air? I don't want to risk vacuuming it, bit paranoid.

[briareos_kerensky]

Replaced the case fan, do you guys recommend the fan blowing outwards or into the case?

Depends where the fan is. If placed on the back of the chassis, it should blow outward; front and lateral fans should blow inward.

BTW-how should I clean the muck behind the blades on my CPU fan? Compressed air?

That would do. Hold the fan so that it won't spin while blowing and you're set.

[monel]

Thanks, b k.