Community Newsletter: Q&A: Humming coming from my PC, what should be my concerns?

Buzzing XP Problem

In reply to: Humming coming from my PC, what should be my concerns? by Lee Koo (ADMIN) 

The very first thing to do is back-up your system, then check that the backup is 'good' (most backup software can check the backup integrity) and then make a second backup - just in case!
If you do not have much data on your system, you could just copy the data onto dvd/cd's, but only if you have installation disks for all your software, and especially the registration codes etc to make them work.
Once you have done this, your next steps depend on your confidence in opening up your computer and diving inside. If you are happy to do this, the first thing is to remove the side of the case, turn your system on, and try to hear if the sound can be localised. In particular, check the fans, there may be several around the case, in the power supply, on your graphics card and of course on your processor cooling assembly.
A common cause of noise from older systems is a build up of fluff and other detritus caught in one of the fans. This is especially true of the smaller fans and the fan in the power supply. (You might find that it just a bit of wiring touching a fan, in which case, tidy up your wiring harness and problem solved.)
If there appears to be much gunge around the interior of the system, a can of compressed air is very useful to do a cleanup (they are available in most electrics/electronics stores) and are effective in cleaning the fans out, as well as moving the cosy layer of fluff to be found in many computers! Remember that the fluff can lead to overheating of components very easily, so this is a chore that should be done as often as required to keep the system clean. If there is no obvious source of the noise, but it is still there, you move to the next stage.

Again, with the system box open, and the computer running, you need a length of hard plastic rod, or similar (non-conductive) material about 12 ins long and then you stick one end in your ear, and - carefully - touch the other end to each of the major components. Unless you are very unlucky, the component that is creating the noise will be obvious. If it is a fan, (excluding the power supply one) and the problem cannot be resolved by cleaning, it is a simple job to replace it. If it is the power supply, it should be replaced. Even if it is 'only' the fan, this might imply that airflow has been impeded, and components overheated. Given the risk of frying your entire system if the power supply goes, if in doubt, replace it. This is technically easy, although it can be a bit fiddly is a crowded system.
If it is your hard drive, again, if in doubt, replace it. Although this can be more expensive than a power supply, consider the value of your data, and don't skimp.
There are a number of utility programs that will run from the installation cd and move everything from an old hard drive to a new one. I have used Powerquest Partition Magic, and products by Paragon to do this myself with complete success. An alternative, given that your computer has been running for four years, and assuming you have all your program installation disks, your copy of Windows XP and a fast internet connection to download all the updates... A clean install might give your system a quick boost. In this case, install your new disk, and install Windows and your programmes, and then install your old disk as a slave. You can then copy all your data files from the old disk to the new. Knowing that you still have the safety of the backups that was the very first thing that you did.. wasn't it. Your original query suggested that the sound was persistent; so that tends to rule out such things as floppy or optical drives etc, and there is little else in your system that should produce any noises. A very remote possibility is a sympathetic vibration caused by such things as loose components. If you are unable to track down anything as suggested above, try tightening all screw, and re-seating cards and any other fixtures and fittings, making sure the wiring harness is secured and not touching any moving parts and see if that works.

Best of luck Ron H