Please need help with fan

sheam316 · 07-04-2006, 08:55 PM

Ok. First of all this is my first time using this site. Not sure if its good or not but I heard it was good. Anyways Like I said I got a fan problem, It's not the one attached to the CPU. It's the fan that sucks the hot air out of the computer all together. The fan where you can stick something in it while its running and the case is closed. (note I never actually stuck something in it. Just saying to you know where its at.) Anyways It was working perfect up to a week ago not so loud. But lately I dont think anythings wrong with it but its just that the fan is louder. I was wondering by the fan being louder, is there anyways to change it so that it will go back to what it used to be, still running but cant hear it so much. And I was wondering with it being this loud does this mean its working harder and also does that mean the fan will wear out faster. Basically When the fan is running faster will that mess it up and cause problems in the future.

Thanks to anyone who reads this and attempts to answer my question.

TheUnlimited · 07-04-2006, 09:03 PM

Welcome to the forums. ^_^

Do you mean the fan in the very top back, right next to the power plug? If you do, that's the Power Supply Fan. It vents air from the inside of the case, and ideally helps keep the PSU from overheating. If it's the one right below that, it's just a case fan (a dime a dozen, so to speak).

Anyway, if it's suddenly gotten loud, it could mean a few things. It could just have a lot of grime in it. You could (and if you've never done this, should) get a can of compressed air, take it outside when the weather is clear, and blast all the dust out.

If it sounds like its starting to grind or something, however, that could mean that it's approaching the end of its life. When the fan fails, the power supply itself usually follows shortly thereafter.

**Ralck** · 07-04-2006, 10:21 PM

Follow Unlimited's advice. Try to blow all the dust bunnies out of the case and see if that helps.
Also, tell us a little bit more about your computer... is it custom built, or a prebuilt system? Let us know if it's the power supply fan or a case fan (as per Unlimited's advice) and if you can't tell, post a picture of the back of the case and tell us where the fan is.
Sometimes power supplies have a built in fan control that speeds up the fan if it detects it needs to vent more. Because of dust or more high intensity usage (gaming, etc), your powersupply could just be reving up the fan.

sheam316 · 07-04-2006, 10:57 PM

Ok first off its not the power supply fan. Sorry I didnt mention that. I'm pretty sure its a prebuild BELL computer. Also I was wondering that green weird case thing over the heatsink and the case fan Is that usefull at all. Also to reply to one of your guys post thing. It's really not getting grindy. Just louder. Like for some reason it turned itself into a higher gear and is running at a higher rate. Basically starting to run faster. Also I thought of the dust factor. Took a can of compressed air and cleaned it out outside on a clear day. Still the fans still working at a faster rate. I was wondering if sometimes this just happens or maybe somebody else changed a setting on the fan IF THATS AT ALL POSSIBLE. also before I go to reply to the second person for the gaming thing. Only games I really play on my computer is Halo and Age of Mythology. thats about it. If that would of caused it to kick into high gear weird how it didnt do so before. Because I had the games for about 6 months.
I hope this cleared things up a little. Thanks for the answers though.

EDIT: Also I just need to know. with the info Is it something to worry about. Or is it just for the sake of being annoying.

**kodi** · 07-04-2006, 11:05 PM

A louder fan can mean that the bearings are going,replace it they are not all that expensive.
If you do make sure that the new fan blows out not suck in air

**twajetmech** · 07-05-2006, 04:05 AM

I would also take a look at your temps....with the warm weather we have had this past week, chances are your room temp is up and the fan kicked in to high gear to exhaust more air. Some mobos will regulate the system fan(s) rpm based on case and cpu temps, (As will many psu's)....if it is, then you need not worry and I would not suggest that you lower the rpm...let it do its thing to keep things cool. If however the noise is a high pitched whine, it is possible that the bearings are going, (but it doesn't soud like it from what you say) and you will need to replace it...if so use a good fan with decent cfm like a Panaflo H1A wich will offer 39cfm @ 25db for about $8
TheUnlimited, Ralck, & kodi all gave solid advice for you to follow. And, never stick anything in the fan while its running.....you'll burn out the motor and/or hurt yourself (obviously)

sheam316 · 07-05-2006, 08:51 AM

Thanks guys. I was thinking its just kicking into higher gear because of the temperature. I'm guessing thats it. Even if its not and it is the fan I mean its only $8 hahaha. Thanks not sure how to lock this thread so just to tell yahs unless you know something somebody else aint telling me that I should worry about no need to reply. Thanks for the help.

07-04-2006, 08:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
sheam316 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3 OS: Win XP	Please need help with fan Ok. First of all this is my first time using this site. Not sure if its good or not but I heard it was good. Anyways Like I said I got a fan problem, It's not the one attached to the CPU. It's the fan that sucks the hot air out of the computer all together. The fan where you can stick something in it while its running and the case is closed. (note I never actually stuck something in it. Just saying to you know where its at.) Anyways It was working perfect up to a week ago not so loud. But lately I dont think anythings wrong with it but its just that the fan is louder. I was wondering by the fan being louder, is there anyways to change it so that it will go back to what it used to be, still running but cant hear it so much. And I was wondering with it being this loud does this mean its working harder and also does that mean the fan will wear out faster. Basically When the fan is running faster will that mess it up and cause problems in the future. Thanks to anyone who reads this and attempts to answer my question.

07-04-2006, 10:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	Follow Unlimited's advice. Try to blow all the dust bunnies out of the case and see if that helps. Also, tell us a little bit more about your computer... is it custom built, or a prebuilt system? Let us know if it's the power supply fan or a case fan (as per Unlimited's advice) and if you can't tell, post a picture of the back of the case and tell us where the fan is. Sometimes power supplies have a built in fan control that speeds up the fan if it detects it needs to vent more. Because of dust or more high intensity usage (gaming, etc), your powersupply could just be reving up the fan. __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs

07-04-2006, 10:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
sheam316 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3 OS: Win XP	Ok first off its not the power supply fan. Sorry I didnt mention that. I'm pretty sure its a prebuild BELL computer. Also I was wondering that green weird case thing over the heatsink and the case fan Is that usefull at all. Also to reply to one of your guys post thing. It's really not getting grindy. Just louder. Like for some reason it turned itself into a higher gear and is running at a higher rate. Basically starting to run faster. Also I thought of the dust factor. Took a can of compressed air and cleaned it out outside on a clear day. Still the fans still working at a faster rate. I was wondering if sometimes this just happens or maybe somebody else changed a setting on the fan IF THATS AT ALL POSSIBLE. also before I go to reply to the second person for the gaming thing. Only games I really play on my computer is Halo and Age of Mythology. thats about it. If that would of caused it to kick into high gear weird how it didnt do so before. Because I had the games for about 6 months. I hope this cleared things up a little. Thanks for the answers though. EDIT: Also I just need to know. with the info Is it something to worry about. Or is it just for the sake of being annoying. Last edited by sheam316; 07-04-2006 at 11:01 PM.

07-04-2006, 11:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,396 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	A louder fan can mean that the bearings are going,replace it they are not all that expensive. If you do make sure that the new fan blows out not suck in air __________________ Brian

07-05-2006, 04:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
twajetmech I helped the forums. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: LGA, NYC Posts: 2,388 OS: XP-Pro Sp2 & XP-Pro Sp2 Tablet Edition, Vista Ultimate My System	I would also take a look at your temps....with the warm weather we have had this past week, chances are your room temp is up and the fan kicked in to high gear to exhaust more air. Some mobos will regulate the system fan(s) rpm based on case and cpu temps, (As will many psu's)....if it is, then you need not worry and I would not suggest that you lower the rpm...let it do its thing to keep things cool. If however the noise is a high pitched whine, it is possible that the bearings are going, (but it doesn't soud like it from what you say) and you will need to replace it...if so use a good fan with decent cfm like a Panaflo H1A wich will offer 39cfm @ 25db for about $8 TheUnlimited, Ralck, & kodi all gave solid advice for you to follow. And, never stick anything in the fan while its running.....you'll burn out the motor and/or hurt yourself (obviously) __________________ PSU Selection/Info // Bench test // Thermal Paste // Memory Selection // Bios Beep Codes // CPU-Z// Posting System Specs

07-04-2006, 09:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheUnlimited Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New England Posts: 139 OS: Windows XP Home SP3 My System	Welcome to the forums. ^_^ Do you mean the fan in the very top back, right next to the power plug? If you do, that's the Power Supply Fan. It vents air from the inside of the case, and ideally helps keep the PSU from overheating. If it's the one right below that, it's just a case fan (a dime a dozen, so to speak). Anyway, if it's suddenly gotten loud, it could mean a few things. It could just have a lot of grime in it. You could (and if you've never done this, should) get a can of compressed air, take it outside when the weather is clear, and blast all the dust out. If it sounds like its starting to grind or something, however, that could mean that it's approaching the end of its life. When the fan fails, the power supply itself usually follows shortly thereafter.

07-05-2006, 08:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
sheam316 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3 OS: Win XP	Thanks guys. I was thinking its just kicking into higher gear because of the temperature. I'm guessing thats it. Even if its not and it is the fan I mean its only $8 hahaha. Thanks not sure how to lock this thread so just to tell yahs unless you know something somebody else aint telling me that I should worry about no need to reply. Thanks for the help.