Problem

[CCRunner]

Ok, I don't know much about computers but mine has a problem. If I use it for more than 30 minutes or so, a weird noise starts coming from inside of it. I think it may be the fan. Am I overheating it? Everything works fine, there's just a weird noise. Closing my computer (Laptop if it matters) and leaving it for a while seems to fix the problem until I'm on for another 30 minutes. After that, the noise is back.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

What kind of noise is it? Clunking, rattling, banging, etc? That can help.

It could be the fan -- if you can, see if you can open it up and see if it's dirty or loose or something.

 

[kcwong]

It's likely to be a problem with the fans being too dirty... time to clean it! Don't let the fans turn freely when you clean them - they can get damaged by being turned in different direction or speed (if you're using compressed air).

 

[pat4]

Hi,

If it's just a whirring sound and the sound of blowing air its just the fan working normally(maybe a bit dirty). You're not overheating you computer at all its normal for the fan to come on after 30 or so minutes, even less with laptops.

 

[CCRunner]

Hmmm... that is reassuring. I did some experimenting though and figured out that if I shifted a significant amount, it came on with the strange noise. I keep it on a table thing on my lap so I guess thirty minutes is just how long it usually takes for my legs to get uncomfortable. Is it still just a dirty fan?

 

[Cutlass]

Check and see if there is a wire that can shift to where the fan can rub against it.

 

[GoodGame]

Don't rule out that it could be a hard-drive problem too. Hard-drives often make funny noises in the period of time before they die. Also, probably not a good idea to shift your case around when the computer is running because the drives are meant to spin flat, not tilted.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

There's a nice collection of failing HDD sound. does it sound like any of these:
http://datacent.com/hard_drive_sounds.php

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Don't rule out that it could be a hard-drive problem too. Hard-drives often make funny noises in the period of time before they die. Also, probably not a good idea to shift your case around when the computer is running because the drives are meant to spin flat, not tilted.

Its a laptop, so if its anywhere near new, it wont matter much to it. As long as you dont jolt it the HDD should be fine.

 

[CCRunner]

There's a nice collection of failing HDD sound. does it sound like any of these:
http://datacent.com/hard_drive_sounds.php

No thank god. There's no beeping involved at all either, unlike most of those laptop sounds.

Its a laptop, so if its anywhere near new, it wont matter much to it. As long as you dont jolt it the HDD should be fine

It's a year old. I got if for christmas last year.

@ all: I don't think I'm really jolting it, i'm just tilting it for a while to rearrange my legs. Closing and re-opening the computer fixes it until I tilt it again.

 

[lndm]

Laptop fans are typically speed controlled according to the temperature of the processor, and this is related to such things as usage, time it has been on, and whether it is in your lap etc. Your fan may be fine. OTOH they do get noisy when clogged with dust or when the bearings wear or dry out.