Fan running frequently and noisily

[Guest]

I'm very comfortable with my computer but know nothing about settings/inner
workings/technical stuff so please bear with me.

A couple of years ago my hard drive crashed. While looking into the problem
with Dell Support center they had me run all kinds of tests and do all kinds
of things. They determined I needed a new hard drive.

Since then, my fan runs very frequently and loudly. I have lived with it
but lately it bothers the heck out of me. I don't think my computer is
overheating, everything always works fine (doesn't shut down or freeze).

I read something about the BIOS settings being updated and I'm pretty sure
the technician had me do that. Is that possibly the problem and how do I
adjust them? It's gotten to the point that I can't open new windows without
the darn fan coming on and it's not always as though I'm demanding a lot out
of the computer.

I used to do LOTS on the computer and the fan never ran. I don't mind if it
runs when necessary (to prevent another crash in the future, for instance)
but this is ridiculous.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Bill Ridgeway]

<<Since then, my fan runs very frequently and loudly>>
Your (CPU and PSU) fans should be running ALL the time. If not things tend
to get rather warm and melt down. This not good and can get a bit costly.
If a fan is running loudly the chances are that the bearings are running
dry. This in itself isn't totally bad at least some air is being
circulated. It is however a warning that it needs to be replaced. (I've
known a noisy fan to keep going for months). It is possible to do a refurb
on them but it is just not economical.

<<I used to do LOTS on the computer and the fan never ran.>> I think this
may be a case of your fans running so good that you weren't aware that they
were running. I believe that some fans **may** run at differing speeds
according to demand which, if correct, would give rise to you being more
aware of a fan running when you are doing some heavy duty job on your
computer.

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions

 

[Alan Smith]

I'm very comfortable with my computer but know nothing about
settings/inner
workings/technical stuff so please bear with me.

A couple of years ago my hard drive crashed. While looking into the
problem
with Dell Support center they had me run all kinds of tests and do all
kinds
of things. They determined I needed a new hard drive.

Since then, my fan runs very frequently and loudly. I have lived with it
but lately it bothers the heck out of me. I don't think my computer is
overheating, everything always works fine (doesn't shut down or freeze).

I read something about the BIOS settings being updated and I'm pretty sure
the technician had me do that. Is that possibly the problem and how do I
adjust them? It's gotten to the point that I can't open new windows
without
the darn fan coming on and it's not always as though I'm demanding a lot
out
of the computer.

I used to do LOTS on the computer and the fan never ran. I don't mind if
it
runs when necessary (to prevent another crash in the future, for instance)
but this is ridiculous.

Thanks for any advice.

On most (not all) computers there are fans that run all of the time. Because
they run a lot of the time they can wear out. Bear in mind the age of your
machine (- A couple of years ago my ....) and there is the possibility it
is now failing. Replace the fan that is making the noise- you'll need to
find out which fan it is- they can be on the processor, graphics card, power
supply, system case etc.- Open the machine and look. Get the size of it-
better yet take it off and take it to a computer parts shop (or somewhere
like Maplin if in the UK) and ask for a replacement. Keep the old one, you
may need to fit the old connector onto the new fan- make sure you get the
connections the right way round as they are DC fans (and check that you get
the right voltage replacement). Or phone Dell and pay them lots of money for
a replacement.

 

[Chelsea]

I'm very comfortable with my computer but know nothing about
settings/inner
workings/technical stuff so please bear with me.

A couple of years ago my hard drive crashed. While looking into the
problem
with Dell Support center they had me run all kinds of tests and do all
kinds
of things. They determined I needed a new hard drive.

Since then, my fan runs very frequently and loudly. I have lived with it
but lately it bothers the heck out of me. I don't think my computer is
overheating, everything always works fine (doesn't shut down or freeze).

I read something about the BIOS settings being updated and I'm pretty sure
the technician had me do that. Is that possibly the problem and how do I
adjust them? It's gotten to the point that I can't open new windows
without
the darn fan coming on and it's not always as though I'm demanding a lot
out
of the computer.

I used to do LOTS on the computer and the fan never ran. I don't mind if
it
runs when necessary (to prevent another crash in the future, for instance)
but this is ridiculous.

Thanks for any advice.

Hello there,
most systems have temperature sensors on the motherboard. You will probably
find that if you go into your system bios there will be a power management
setting. This contains settings for power saving but also usually there will
be a read only display of things like system temperature, cpu temperature
and fan speeds. As systems age those sensors do loose accuracy, so take a
look at what the cpu temperature is reported as. Check the fan speeds also.
If you have a fan that operates at variable speed you may find you can set
the temperature that causes the fan to operate at maximum speed. That said
it is far more likely that there has been an accumulation of dust inside the
case, particularly around the power supply, processor and memory chips, this
can cause the ventilation holes to get partially blocked and that causes
heat build up and then more fan activity. A good cleaning of the inside of
the case might improve things, but be careful not to touch the components.
Actually compressed air if available is best used.

Chelsea

 

[VManes]

You will get better information if you go to the Dell forums (
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums ) and ask in the area for your
particular model.

Dell has a history of using some noisy fans, that cannot be easily replaced
with just any garden variety fan. Also, there generally are not temp
sensors on the motherboards most Dell models, so the advice on checking that
feature is moot.

Have you checked its insides for cleanliness? Perhaps there's a buildup of
dust bunnies that are blocking airflow, causing the heat to rise more
quickly than it used to.

Val
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We've secretly switched the dilithium crystals with new Folger's
Crystals...
let's watch what happens."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm very comfortable with my computer but know nothing about settings/inner
workings/technical stuff so please bear with me.

A couple of years ago my hard drive crashed. While looking into the problem
with Dell Support center they had me run all kinds of tests and do all kinds
of things. They determined I needed a new hard drive.

Since then, my fan runs very frequently and loudly. I have lived with it
but lately it bothers the heck out of me. I don't think my computer is
overheating, everything always works fine (doesn't shut down or freeze).

I read something about the BIOS settings being updated and I'm pretty sure
the technician had me do that. Is that possibly the problem and how do I
adjust them? It's gotten to the point that I can't open new windows without
the darn fan coming on and it's not always as though I'm demanding a lot out
of the computer.

I used to do LOTS on the computer and the fan never ran. I don't mind if it
runs when necessary (to prevent another crash in the future, for instance)
but this is ridiculous.

Thanks for any advice.