Constant grinding noise from PC

[D3ads]

I turned my old computer on today and it started up fine with the normal noises but then after awhile it made a loud buzzing noise, so I turned it off, disconnected the mains supply and opened it up. I dusted all the components, I had dusted recently but thought I might have missed areas. Turned the power back on and again it booted ok and then the grinding noise came back so I powered down again. I *think* it's the power supply fan because when I check the air coming out of the back I can hardly feel anything but the fan is spinning so I'm wondering if it's rubbing against something? I can't get the power supply out without disconnecting the cpu fan and all the cables otherwise I would get it out and do a thorough clean and inspection. Could it just be the fan on it's way out? Probably time for a new computer anyway but I've been waiting for this one to die once and for all before making the leap...

Cheers.

[edit]It's definately the power supply fan, I checked the air at the back when the noise wasn't there but when it came on the air stopped blowing... even though the fan is spinning, I don't know what's wrong? Why does it start ok and then start grinding? :S

[insta]

Did you know that Nick Cave and some other persons of interest formed a group called Grinderman? It's seriously the only thing I could think of when reading your post with its many references to grinding. Just thought I'd stop by and crack that egg of wisdom for you.

[D3ads]

It turned on again and it was ok this time with no buzzing sound coming on at all, so curiously I blew on the fan at the back to see if anything happened and the noise immediately kicked in... catching on something maybe?

[edit]Thanks for that Insta =/

[insta]

Could something be trapped in there? A gerbil or some other type of rodent? Has this been a problem for anybody else in your neighborhood?

[-HP-]

Just hit / kick it hard near the power supply, it used to fix my old one. (I'm not kidding, give it a shot)

Or get a new power supply, it's like what, 10£?

[dux]

Did you know that Nick Cave and some other persons of interest formed a group called Grinderman? It's seriously the only thing I could think of when reading your post with its many references to grinding. Just thought I'd stop by and crack that egg of wisdom for you.

Haha, this is really interesting! thanks magnar.

Anyway, if it is indeed the psu I'd be careful d3 of it overheating and going bang. And yeah what hp said, these things are cheap as hell.

[Steppenwolf]

The fan needs to be rebalanced with tiny weights. I usualy use small pieces of bubble gum.

[Sentura]

Did you know that Nick Cave and some other persons of interest formed a group called Grinderman? It's seriously the only thing I could think of when reading your post with its many references to grinding. Just thought I'd stop by and crack that egg of wisdom for you.

fungineer @ work

[Serenius]

Sounds like your muffler bearings came loose. Also, your headlight fluid is probably low.

[Skjalg]

god i love me some instahumor with my coffee

[Pericolos0]

Could something be trapped in there? A gerbil or some other type of rodent? Has this been a problem for anybody else in your neighborhood?

did you know that's how DeadMau5 got his name? The name "deadmau5" started when Zimmerman found a dead mouse in his computer while he was replacing his video card. He talked with people in chat rooms and he became known as "that dead mouse guy" and since his username was too long, he shortened "Dead Mouse" to deadmau5. Just thought I'd stop by and crack that egg of wisdom for you.

[insta]

Huh, interesting stuff. I feel that this thread is really bringing some real wisdom to people, more than any shitty 10$ computer fan could expell all over peoples faces. Also deadmau5 is pretty cool.

[-HP-]

Also deadmau5 is pretty cool.

Erm... no he's not, i mean he's ok, but he sucks compared to many

[insta]

Haha, you are such a HP, HP.

[Sentura]