Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Computer makes noise like a grass clipper, What is wrong?

Jan 15, 2015 8:33PM PST

Hi
When my pc has been off for a while, like 6 hours it will make a lot of noise when turned on. This noise will not stop until i turn the computer off again.

Recording:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kuswgrh5j0cw99c/Recording%20grass%20clipper%20pc.mp3?dl=0

I usually keep restarting the pc until the noise doesn't appear. Plugging in and out cables seems to help before restarting it. I thought the GPU was the problem but the problem is still there after installing a new one. I suspect it could be the power supply or the heat sink.

When the noise appears the pc will still boot into windows like normal, i can access hard drives etc.
No noticeable problems using it except for the noise.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Open the case,
Jan 15, 2015 9:25PM PST

sounds like a fan needs looking after.

- Collapse -
Answer
(NT) I've also heard hard drives sound like that.
Jan 15, 2015 9:33PM PST
- Collapse -
Answer
Heard this a million times
Jan 15, 2015 9:39PM PST

I agree with the diagnosis of a noisy fan. These make other things rattle. Too much clearance in the bushings due to wear. Sometime you can clean and lube them but any silencing of them returns eventually.

- Collapse -
Answer
open the case and run
Jan 16, 2015 3:21AM PST

you need to open the case and turn the computer on to pinpoint the noise. until you pinpoint the noise it could be just about anything from fan to possibly loose hd mount.

- Collapse -
Hard to hear, bit echo i think
Jan 16, 2015 9:58AM PST

Opened the case and tried to listen to every component. I can't really hear where the noise is coming from.

Recording:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ov0cfgz9c5i63sv/Recording%204.mp3?dl=0

tried making a recording
first 10 seconds: CPU
10-20 seconds: Power supply
20-30 seconds: HDD

possibly even harder to hear from a recording.
Finding what part is broken here is the key. i can easily send it in and get a new one for free once i know which part.

If i cant hear what part is making the sound from this then maybe i should proceed to screw them out.

Can i screw the power supply out of the case and turn the computer on without damaging it?
the alternative would be to remove the heat sink to see if the noise disappears, but that may really screw up the processor.

- Collapse -
Manually stop the fans one by one
Jan 17, 2015 3:38AM PST

You'll have a CPU fan and maybe others such as case fans, one for your video card and at least one for the PS. You can also just try pressing on areas of the case to see if the sound changes. If you can find the plugs for case fans and such, just disconnect them and start the PC. You won't hurt it. I wouldn't recommend shoving a sharp or breakable object into the blades but stop them at the center center hub when doing this manually. Pencil erasers work fine. Fingers do well too if you're careful enough.

- Collapse -
Answer
hard drive my guess
Jan 19, 2015 6:02AM PST

open side, use paper tube to ear and isolate what is emitting the sound.