Troubleshoot noise
Read the Safety Procedures. Very Important!!!
Numerous devices can cause noise in the system. You cannot use your hearing to determine what is causing the noise. The noise can sound as if it is coming from one device but it is actually caused by another device. That is why it is important that you use process of elimination. Follow these steps to find out the source of the noise.
- Disconnect the processor fan from the system and turn the system on (if the noise goes away then it is the processor fan. If not reconnect the wire and go to next step) Do not leave it on for long with it disconnected.
- See if there is a fan on the video card. Some video cards have a fan and that can cause a noise. If there is a fan, remove the video card and see if the noise goes away (you won't have a picture but you will be able to hear if the noise went away)
- Disconnect the floppy drive. They can cause a noise. (noise from floppy can be hardware or software. Software might be constantly trying to access the floppy. If you determine it is the floppy, reconnect floppy and boot into DOS or BIOS. If the noise happens outside of windows, it is a hardware issue. if it doesn't happen, it is a software issue).
- Disconnect the CD-ROM drives (if you have more than one, disconnect them one at a time).
- Disconnect the hard drive. (see note below on hard drive)
- Remove PCI cards (one at a time)
- If the noise still continues than it is the power supply.
If the hard drive is what is causing the noise, it may be a setting for the hard drive. Consult the manufacturer. There may be a setting or a patch you can install for the noise. Also the manufacturer may have a diagnostic tool you can use to test the drive to see if it is failing or not.