Scared...

bdl · 10-06-2003, 03:44 PM

...my 80GB HDD is clicking clicking clicking very loudly...I may not have much time left here....I think I better start a backu

verto · 10-07-2003, 03:59 PM

..or something. why not run some diagnostic s/w on't?

HTH

bdl · 10-07-2003, 05:25 PM

Actually, right after I posted I went to WD.com and downloaded a couple of their diag utilities. Ran those and the drive checked out fine; although I think it's more of a coincidence, it stopped making the clicking noise...for now.

Funny though, I've gone through two case fans because I thought that's what was causing the noise; everytime I'd replace a fan, the noise would go away for a little while so I thought that was it. Uh duh.

verto · 10-07-2003, 07:24 PM

Have you tried a new table/desk?

Not just a joke, as maybe there's something vibrating somewhere besides the fan, and from description you gave, just being affected by vibrations FROM it.

So if it's bothering you enough to replace the fan(s), I'd also think of trying to move the unit around to see if that helps isolate the source.

- Doc Verto

Ilya020 · 10-07-2003, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by verto
Have you tried a new table/desk?

Not just a joke, as maybe there's something vibrating somewhere besides the fan, and from description you gave, just being affected by vibrations FROM it.

So if it's bothering you enough to replace the fan(s), I'd also think of trying to move the unit around to see if that helps isolate the source.

- Doc Verto

I like you.

bdl · 10-07-2003, 09:06 PM

My box sits on the carpet; unless the drive is spinning so fast it causes the concrete below two layers of carpeting and padding to vibrate, I dont think so. Thanks anyway.

bdl · 10-11-2003, 01:52 PM

Ok, so this morning the rattling sound is unbearable, so I start tearing the PC apart to check for anything loose that might be causing it, and decide to swap out the 80GB drive because all my tests thus far lead to that. Complete HDD backup, thank God for Ghost. I've got the swapped out HDD in, everything looks good, sealed back up and power up.

Guess what? Still f-in rattles!!!
<sam kinison>Ahhh!! Ahhhhhh!! Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!</sam kinison>

So with the power on I gingerly start probing different spots, lightly touching spinning fans, etc. I touch the fan on my graphics card chipset...BINGO!! The damn graphics card fan has been rattling this whole time. Take that out and it's got the crappiest little fan on it you've ever seen. Three part fan held together with sheet metal type screws, no wonder it rattles. Tearing it down and tightening it all up again doesn't help.

Bottom line: anyone got some ideas for swapping out the fan on that nvidia chip? Or suggestions for a new graphics card? I'm kinda leaning towards a new ATI 9800...anyone??

Ilya020 · 10-11-2003, 03:02 PM

Here, let me give you a little push