Fan grinding sound

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Socoder -> Off Topic -> Fan grinding sound
Fri, 02 Oct 2009, 09:59
HoboBen	The fan in my PSU will randomly make a grinding sound - either when I turn the PC on for the first time or randomly whenever it feels like it. Anyone got any ideas about how to fix it? Is it safe to open up the PSU box to get at the fan or am I going to kill myself? Should I just get a new PSU? I hate hardware. -=-=- blog \| work \| code \| more code
Fri, 02 Oct 2009, 10:10
Jayenkai	Haven't dared to open one.. I'd just get a new one! -=-=- ''Load, Next List!''
Fri, 02 Oct 2009, 10:31
JL235	My PC has been doing that for years. Still works fine, I think it's even got a little better. But you could open it up, take out the fan and lubricate it. That should solve the issue. It is safe to do if you do it safely, otherwise it's dangerous. For a component like this I'd do lots of research. For example holding down the power button after turning off the plug for a few secs to ensure the PSU is empty of power.
Fri, 02 Oct 2009, 12:50
redmoth	I agree with JL235, make sure the power cable is disconnected from the computer and leave it a while even after holding the power button. make sure you are grounded before touching it, and not making static electricity (ie socks and carpets). give it a good clean with a fine brush (i have a good round brush which was meant to be used in cooking). and avoid using any cloth with fine hairs. -=-=- delete my account
Fri, 02 Oct 2009, 13:17
JL235	redmoth make sure the power cable is disconnected from the computer I disagree. If the power is off at the plug then no power is running through the cable (if there is then you have bigger issues to worry about). At the same time your PC is now earthed (or grounded) thanks to the third pin in your plug, making it safer then if you had the cable disconnected. Although if your taking out the PSU then you'll probably need to remove the cable anyway.
Fri, 02 Oct 2009, 17:15
steve_ancell	I've opened up loads of PSU's and I'm not dead yet !. Just make sure it's not plugged in, and discharge any large capacitors with a 1k-ohm resistor. That would be the colors brown then orange, and usually a gold or silver band that is spaced further along the resistor.
Fri, 02 Oct 2009, 17:23
steve_ancell	If your worried about opening the case first, then you could alternatively link one resistor between one of the red wire and black wires, and one between yellow and black.
Fri, 02 Oct 2009, 17:39
JL235	Agent Smith in the MudChat tonight pointed out that leaving the cable plugged in is dangerous if your wall plug does not work correctly, and this potential risk out ways any gains from having the cable earthed. So contrary to the advice I've been given from science teachers in the past, it's probably best to have it unplugged.
Fri, 02 Oct 2009, 20:50
mindstorm8191	We had a computer that had that sound quite a bit. We later discovered it was the fan's blades loose, and would grind against the sides of the guard piece and slow down. We would sometimes hear the sound stop, but that was when the fan stopped all-together. I'd get your fan replaced as soon as possible, or you may end up with overheating parts. -=-=- Vesuvius web game
Sat, 03 Oct 2009, 20:35
GoliX	I have multiple fans doing it right now, but my pc is in too awkward of a place for me to be bothered to do anything yet. :/