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General discussion

it's just a funny noise

by gabbie_abbie Oct 29, 2004 2:07AM PDT

OK, first of all you need to know that I know how to use a computer but no idea how to fix anything. I have an emachines brand T2484 with Windows XP, 2.40 GHz intel celeron processor, 80 GB hard drive, and i don't know what else. My problem is that when I turn it on, the pc makes this long, drawn-out screeching sound that goes on for minutes (it sounds a little like microphone feedback). It's almost ear-piercing and it's driving my roommate and I crazy. I've had it for a year and it only started doing this recently. Earlier, when it started making the noise it would also do it randomly while I was working on stuff, but now it only seems to be on startup. And turning the speakers on and on has no effect. Please, anyone have a suggestion?

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5 Posts
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Re: it's just a funny noise
by Michael Geist Oct 29, 2004 9:25AM PDT

Time to pop off the case cover and try to isolate the origin of the noise. My suspect---a cooling fan.

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Re: it's just a funny noise
by billv Oct 31, 2004 11:42PM PST

I agree with Michael -- probably either power supply or CPU cooling fan. If it's the CPU cooling fan, beware that if this fan fails, you could burn up your CPU chip. It could also be a GPU cooling fan if you have a fancy video board.

I know, because I've replaced the CPU cooling fan on one of my PC's twice in the last 5 years. My wife's PC burned up the CPU before we figured out the problem. It might also be your hard drive if the bearings are going bad. So, yeah, it could just be a "funny noise", but it could be something much more dire.

Good luck! Bill V

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Re: it's just a funny noise
by TechHeadBob Nov 4, 2004 11:07PM PST

It's probably your power supply or cpu fan.
You could take a can of compressed air and blow it out.
If that doesn't do it I'd take it in and have it fixed.
Thoese are things a non-computer person should be messing with Happy

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Re: it's just a funny noise
by gabbie_abbie Nov 10, 2004 12:18AM PST

thanks for your help guys!

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Re: it's just a funny noise
by tigerrrrrrr82 Nov 30, 2004 12:54AM PST

i had this same problem on my m5310 laptop and i was told by the good old tech support guys that it was BIOS warning me that my computer was overheating and trying to shut down.

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