I have a loud vibration in my computer

[sprude27]

I have a loud hum, vibration in the system I just built. I have opened the case and made sure all of the screws are tight. I made sure the case screws were tight also. The vibration is not always there. After the computer runs for awhile the sound returns. It gets very loud.

Abit VP6 Dual processor
(2) 1000Ghz PIII cpus
1024Ghz memory
40GB Western Digital HD
Hercules Prophet 4000 3D 64MB video card
Canopus StormEdit Capture Card
Advansys 3550 UW SCSI Card
56X CD
CDRW
Floppy
Case Fan
I've built several of these systems, same config never had this problem before.

Stephen Prude

 

[railugh]

I'm not sure if this pertains to your situation or not .. but in the past I had a few situations like this and it turned out to be the front bezel of the case ... the case fans were causing a minor vibration, you press on the pane it would stop for a bit then return ... of course i had three fans running in the unit ... i placed some air conditioner filter screen (looks like thin foam padding) between the front bezel and the case framing ... this not only eliminated the vibration but filters the dust from entering the case.

 

[swayda]

When you run the machine with the case off does the sound continue? I've heard some REALLY loud fans. Run it with the case off and see if you can isolate the noise. Don Swayser
swayser@optonline.net

 

[cdogg]

My first guess would be the CD-ROM. A lot of lower-end 50+ X CD-ROM drives are extremely loud. This would explain why the sound stops then starts again. Take the CD out of the drive (if there is one) and see if the sound continues...

 

[paparazi]

With the side removed off the case it shouldn't be to difficult to trace the noise.
Likely causes: CPU fans, Case fans, Rom drives
When the noise occurs it may be possible to touch the centre of the CPU/case fans to slow them down slightly and stop the vibration it that is what it is. Trial and error.
Martin Vote if you found this post helpful please!!

 

[HugoGuessit]

Easy way to prove if it is a fan, with the side open, start sticking a finger (or if you are afraid of hurting yourself, use a pencil) and stop each fan individually. Be careful not to leave the fan stopped on the cpu for very long as the higher speed cpus will cook themselves quickly if the fan stops. You can stop it for several seconds, though which is long enough to isolate the noise.
Good Luck. hg

 

[sprude27]

Thanx for the advise. The system is not here with me. It's in another state. So I have to travel there to correct the problem. I do have four fans running in the machine. The power supply fan, two cpu fans, and one case fan. I suspected in was the vibration from the fans, I just didn't know what it would take to stop it. I sort of ruled out the CD players. Most of the time they're not in use. Are there anymore suggestion out there. I want to be armed with as much information as possible when I make my trip.

Thanx for all your assistance.

Stephen Prude

 

[osuman]

Well i guess it's possible that a spinning device happens to have the same harmonic frequency as some other piece in there and is causing a harmonic oscillation. Kinda like the tacoma narrows bridge? Ok ok, it's kinda out there, but it is another possibility.

 

[paparazi]

Do you have any spares?
The most common case fan size is 80mm
The most common CPU fan size is 60mm
Make sure if any need replacing that they are at least as powerful as those being taken out.
Touch the centre of the fan and not the blades to slow it down, sorry for stating the obvious. Martin Vote if you found this post helpful please!!

 

[nelljack]

I just fixed the noise in my computer. It was the fan. I turned off the system, unhooked the fan from the case, but did not unhook the connected wires. Power off on the system too. Then I cleaned the dust/dirt from the entire fan, case, etc. I added about 2 drops of 3-in-one motor oil (SAE 20) to the slot between the blade and housing. Put it back in (after checking for excess oil leakage), powered on, and no noise at all. All vibrations are gone too.

Hope this helps.