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Thread ID: 32005	2003-04-06 10:21:00	Computer tower on death's door?	Johhny Cat (3510)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
133893	2003-04-06 10:21:00	Hi There. For several weeks I have noticed upon starting my computer that the fan is really struggling and makes a loud grinding noise that it never used to make. It eventually settles down a little but I wonder whether it is only time befrore something goes horribly wrong. Do fans (or fan belts???) need replacing and if so is it a big job? Is this even to do with the fan? Many Thanks Johnny	Johhny Cat (3510)
133894	2003-04-06 10:29:00	Not uncommon. The bearings fail, sometimes quite frequently (they dont make them like they used to) There is the possibility of several fans, the case fan, or it may be a case+processor cooling fan, plus one in the power supply, and the possibility of another on the graphics adapter. (Mine has 10 fans in fact) The fans are cheap, drop it off at your local PC shop, unless you are comfortable (and safe) doing it yourself.	godfather (25)
133895	2003-04-06 10:30:00	I would check the fan for dust build up for a start and use the vac on it if required . Is the case getting hot or hotter than usual ? That is one sign of a failing fan . Power supplies are not difficult to replace, more or less depending on exactly what you have of unscrewing the current one and attaching the new one along with the various wiring attached to it . If you do end up getting a new power supply I would suggest getting one that is big enough or better for the job . I would suggest 300w as a basic starter . As for how long, I would be inclined to take preventive steps now rather than waiting for when it fails and possibly cause more damage .	Gordon. (2217)
133896	2003-04-06 10:41:00	Lubricating the fan or buying a new fan is cheaper than a new PSU if it is not needed!	JohnD (509)
133897	2003-04-06 10:44:00	As I read the first message more slowly.................I would still check for dust buildup in the fan and give consideration to dry or failing bearings before blaming the power supply itself.	Gordon. (2217)
133898	2003-04-06 10:48:00	Thanks guys....as suggested I will try the vac option. A cursory glance around the back of the tower indicates a degree of dust build-up. Many thanks.	Johhny Cat (3510)
133899	2003-04-06 10:59:00	Have a shufty at this, www.dansdata.com	Thomas (1820)
133900	2003-04-06 23:46:00	>> I would check the fan for dust build up for a start and use the vac on it if required. I personally would not put a vacuum anywhere near the inside of a PC. I did a job once and ended up with light burn marks on my back from heaps of static.	mikebartnz (21)
133901	2003-04-07 00:21:00	I don't use the vac from the inside, I place it near the grill at the rear and suck out from there, never had any problems with it that way though not to say that sometime somewhere there could be a build up of static.	Gordon. (2217)
133902	2003-04-07 00:47:00	That's an interesting but odd diagnosis Mike . To get burns on your back, that would have to be the discharge site, which in turn means you would have to have been backed up against a good conducting surface . On top of that, the static generated by a vacuum cleaner nozzle would be minimal and would almost certainly discharge to the nearest earthed object, i . e your computer's fan grille . The energy levels generated from that static source should be nowhere near enough to cause a burn . I routinely generate and/or measure up to 1 Megavolt (yes, 1,000,000 volts) in the course of my work and although I get zapped quite often, I have never received a burn yet . Unless there was a high capacitance present to allow a decent charge to build up, there must be another explanation for those burns . You would sure as hell feel any kind of discharge capable of causing a burn, and just one would be enough, you wouldn't wait for another . Cheers Billy 8-{)	Billy T (70)
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