Question for computer hardware experts

[matcom]

the back of my puter just started making a periodic humming noise (about every 3 seconds)

its either the power supply or something right next to the power supply (make sense?)

is the power supply going or could it be something else?

sorry to be so vague. i'm a software guy not hardware ;)

thanks in advance

[bleedingheart]

1. Run for your life!

[johnnie]

2. Power supply fan

It's probably on it's way out. You have some time.

[matcom]

4. it sounds like a fan

what is your suggestion

[johnnie]

10. Well

I had one making noise for a long time. I was too lazy to change it out. 9 out of 10 times a standard power supply will work. You can take it out and take it to where you are going to get it from and they can make sure. It is 4 screws and a few plugs. Pretty easy to change out, but if you're not sure then get someone to do it for you.

[notadmblnd]

18. I think it's a fan too..

If you cant afford to replace it and you have a little table top fan, you can place this at the back of the machine and turn it on to keep things cool. Could work indefinately for you.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

7. yeah, the powersupply fan.

the bearings are probably going bad.

it has been my experience that the fan will probably continue to work for a while, it will just be noisey.

you can replace the fan your self if you don't mind opening up the powersupply. they are usually 80mm case fans.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. I'd get a new power supply

Sounds like the fan's about to go. You don't want the system overheating because that could be B-A-D bad.

[matcom]

6. are all power supplies standard?

or do i have to go directly to HP?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. They're not all standard, but get one powerful enough.

Around 400 Watts should be fine. On edit: I'd try to get over the 400 W mark if you can to ensure you can run everything okay.

Oh, and make sure it works with your chipset (for example, some work only with Intel or AMD processors.) Most work with both though.

[Bill Lumbergh]

21. Over 400 watts is overkill,

unless Matcom is running two video cards and lots of drives and other internals.

350 should do him fine.

[AZCat]

5. Maybe your computer is just seeking enlightenment

Perhaps it is just meditating?

[underpants]

9. Step 1-Where's the cat?

Step 2-Where's the dog?

Step 3- What the hell does this have to do with Lindsay Lohan?

[AZCat]

11. Silly!

He can't download Lindsay Lohan pics if his computer's fried!

[underpants]

12. Oh right his computer I hear they have the internet on those things now

:bounce:

[AZCat]

13. The newest ones have more than one

"Internet", I mean.

If you're really good they give you access to the super secret one.

[matcom]

14. thank you everyone!

well, except Underpants :D

[underpants]

15. You will thank me some day

Oh yes you will.

[matcom]

16. oh i PLAN TO!

as soon as the Mrs pops out that brat and you start posting how f'n TIRED you are.

i'll enjoy every post and laugh and THEN i'll thank you!

:bounce:

[underpants]

19. Never happen

I would never admit to it. Merely for spite yes.

:bounce:

[matcom]

22. bet me $$?

you'll be so tired you will have forgotten ALL ABOUT this conversation! :D

[underpants]

24. $50

or membership in a Lindsay Lohan fan club.

[matcom]

25. what if i'm already a member?

:7

[underpants]

28. Oh I already know that you are a "member"

The pitch..........TONK! IT's OUTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!

[matcom]

29. hey baby

http://www.llrocks.com/index.php?a=news.html&b=links.php

[notadmblnd]

17. The little fan in the back often gets gunked up

my want to take the skin off and see.

[Parche]

20. noise

The wangdoozle nut is probably missing, replace that, and it
should work fine
If thats not it, I recommend a 12pack of Heineken

[Solon]

23. See if its the bearings first, also check see how much dust and crap...

is in it they can definately fuck up the inside. I had to replace a power supply once, it was funny as hell, I upgraded my memory on my computer one day, I removed the p.s. to get to it, set it down on my desk, this was after I unplugged it. Anywho, so put the memory in then I just plugged the p.s. back into the outlet, before I even turned the damn thing on, I got a flash from inside it, a loud POP and smoke, scared the crap out of me. A capacitor blew on the inside, got a new one for like 30 bucks, I'm just glad it didn't fry the motherboard, THAT would have sucked.

[matcom]

27. how do i check the bearings?

[sendero]

26. Coda...

... yeah it's your fan.

Here's the thing: the easiest thing should be to just replace the power supply. But you mentioned you have an HP. Some of those folks (HP/Dell/Compaq) use non-standard connectors on their motherboard, meaning that you have to buy an exact replacement supply from them.

If they use a standard supply, you can get one any number of places. It might not be easy for you to tell by looking which is the case. In any event get one that is the same wattage (*should be marked on a sticker*) or maybe 50 watts more. Don't waste your money on a 400 wat supply.

On the other hand, if you are somewhat "handy", you can try this. Take the power supply apart and unscrew/detach the fan. You might well find the whole thing to be very dusty and nasty. Clean it up as best you can and blow on it or even better use compressed air (from a compressor or one of those aerosol cans made for that) and try to get the dust out of it. Then spray some silicon lubricant in there and you can probably get at least a few months more out of it.

I've brought many a fan back to life, but sometimes it doesn't work. Good luck.

on edit: dangit I forgot one thing. You *could* actually just replace the fan itself. Most of the time they are 12V and quite standard, you can buy one at Radio Shack. You might have to do some soldering though, connectors are not standard and sometimes they are just soldered to the power supply board.