[Spinning Lizard]

Hey Guys,

My computer fan runs all the time. Cleaned and dusted the inside and outside of the box. Anyone have any idea how to fix this?

Thanks SL

 

[canadmos]

Fix what?

 

[binary visions]

Are you saying that it has changed? Runs more now than it used to?

 

[Jm_]

Back in the day I bought a fan that I attached to my graphics processor chip and it ran all the time. If the fan is hooked to a thermostat, it will be part time. Most power-supply fans are full time.

 

[StiHacka]

Hey Guys,

My computer fan runs all the time. Cleaned and dusted the inside and outside of the box. Anyone have any idea how to fix this?

Thanks SL

What fan is it? When you look at the task manager, how busy is the CPU(s) typically?

 

[Spinning Lizard]

Not sure, the bot is 10 years old and has never had the fan run for any time except start up. Now it runs constantly. Googled the problem and came back with needs to be cleaned. Took the outside cover off and the unit was filled with dust. Used lightly compressed air to blow the dust off. Fan is loud enough I cannot stand hearing it watching TV. I will check the task manager when I get home. I believe it to be the cooling fan that runs to keep the CPU from overheating.

 

[Westy]

Did you clean the heat sink on the CPU heat exchanger? If so re-application of thermal grease may help if it is running hot. There are several free software apps out there that let you monitor the CPU temp, you may want to check one out. Also there is usually a setting in the BIOS that tells when the fan comes on. If it is running below this temp you probably have a hardware problem. Considering the age of the PC you should probably make sure everything is nicely backed up.

 

[Spinning Lizard]

Did you clean the heat sink on the CPU heat exchanger? If so re-application of thermal grease may help if it is running hot. There are several free software apps out there that let you monitor the CPU temp, you may want to check one out. Also there is usually a setting in the BIOS that tells when the fan comes on. If it is running below this temp you probably have a hardware problem. Considering the age of the PC you should probably make sure everything is nicely backed up.

I know it is getting old, but do not want to replace it yet. have many bike parts to purchase first.

Already started backing up all the important stuff. Thanks for the tips. Will check it out when I get home tonight.

 

[Westy]

This is the thermal grease I was referring to.

http://www.jwestsales.com/products/Arctic-Silver-Silver-5-Thermal-Heatsink-Compound.html?gclid=CKHHyKTS7bQCFYF7QgodnF8A0g

 

[Bill in Houston]

some kind of spyware bogging down the cpu, i bet, given how you describe the onset of symptoms.

 

[Magura]

Check if the thermal paste is still ok. More often than not, it has dried out over time.
Also, get yourself a new fan. The come for pennies, and can be even more silent than your fan was when it was new.
An old fan is simply noisy. The quality they're made to, is not meant to live for more than a couple of years.
So even a new fan that is identical to the old one, will reduce the issue.
Besides that, the blades of the fan usually picks up dirt in large amounts, and makes it less efficient.
So try cleaning the blades as well.


Magura

 

[CrabJoe StretchPants]

I think all these MTBR dweebs came over with the sole intention of soliciting BV's magical nerd powers.

 

[Magura]

I like "soliciting", it sounds much better than "exploit"


Magura

 

[canadmos]

If the fan is 10 years old, I'd guess that removing the dust from the fan blades has made it unbalanced, which can create noise. I'd double check that you didn't accidentally leave a chunk of dust on one of the blades. You could also try spinning the fan with your hand to see if you can feel if the bearing is chewed up. I know that compressed air can sometimes spin the fan faster than what it is capable of.

Another point to look at, is whether its the fan that is making the noise or if its the case. You mentioned that you took the side off of the case. Make sure that it is locked down properly, with all the tabs on the edges fully seated. Also double check which fan is making the noise, if it is the fan.

And make sure you didn't blow a big dust bunny into the power supply. That could cause it to heat up and in turn make it's fan spin faster (or noisier if the dust is now on that fan).

 

[Spinning Lizard]

Thanks for the help. I took the cover off again and removed all of the connections. Unplugged the fans and made sure there was not any dust anywhere. Put everything back together and voila, perfect. No noise, bot running perfect again. Going to get some of that grease for future trouble though.