Hello, I'm a newbie here, and I'm hoping someone can help me.
I have a bog standard PC (I think), and I've been using it for about two years now with no problems. I mostly use it for work, and have microsoft office and a couple of sage packages on it, as well as all the usual stuff.

I used to leave the PC on all the time, except for prolonged periods of not using it. Last week though it started making a funny noise from the back of the tower, and then went off on its own. Now when I switch it on its still making the noise, and I don't know what it might be, it sounds as though it could be some sort of fan or motor at the back, but as I'm really no expert I don't know. I'm still using it, as I need to work, and I'm a bit scared to take it anywhere in case they tell me its broken (can't afford a new one at the mo. ). Can anyone give me any tips on what to do, or is it really a repair shop job??

Thanks, Sarah

Not exactly - but i'd still think you'd need to spend a bit of cash to sort it out, specially if its a problem with the Power Supply Unit(big box at the back, which the mains lead plugs into) in that case i'd recommend buying a new one before it fries your entire PC.

Thats assuming the noise is coming from the PSU, it could be from another fan inside the computer.

Only thing i could suggest right now is taking the side panel off your PC tower and taking a look yourself (make sure this doesn't void your warranty) to see where the noise is coming from, its bound to be from a Fan i would've thought. (and yes, the Power Supply Unit does have a fan in it)

You can try cleaning the fan(s) in your PC. You'll have to open the tower (indeed watch out with the warranty!) and remove all the dust around the fans (be very carefull). This could be it cuz the PC is now running for 2 years so probably lots of dust is collected...

Robin

borrow or own a dyson cylinder cleaner, u know the one with the hose?. put the crevice tool on the end of it, and get back to work!!! joking

but seriously use the end of the hose on the fan type thing at the back of your PC where the noise is coming from, this should suck out most of the dust in that area and will maybe stop it being so noisy and save you having to go inside of the PC.

If not then get back to us.

And if it stays noisy after that-- check your PSU and other fans-- if it's the PSU --you'll need to replace it pronto. It'd heat up fast without a fan to cool it-- and then it could take out a bunch of other stuff ( like the motherboard/processor/ram) ...when it does fail.

I'm all for the vacume cleaner, it happened to me, you'd be amazed at how much crapola gets into your magic box over the years. They even make an adapter for an itsy-bitsy brush that fits on a standard hose 1and 1/4 inch diameter in america, they're probably in MM across the pond. If you cant find one use the crevice tool from outside the case, inside the case use a soft bristle artist's paint brush on the delicate areas while holding the vacuum 1/2 inch away.

If it's Still making a Buzz ( sounds crazy, but listen ) with a Doctors Stythescope

It'll isolate where the buzz is comming from: could be a case fan, could be the Power Supply. When a Power Supply buzzes, replace it NOW, before it fries something

I see nothing wrong with taking it to a Pro, when you have too...
Worse than Auto Mechanics... NEVER met a trustworthy Auto Mechanic, including myself