Power Supply noise

dwharton said:

I am having trouble with computer hanging up and it happens after start up...things can be running for a while but then a noise...sort of a soft grinding, but not really abrasive grinding if you get my drift, comes from the power supply. The fan is running smothly and doesn't change during the noise. i have isolated the noise to the supply. Hav e stoped the CPU cooling fan for example. Am I in need of a new power supply. Seems a weird thing to fail. No? could there be any relation to hard drive problems or is the noise a pretty determining factor that something is a miss with the power supply?

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If it's a generic power supply that came with your computer case, then it's definitely possible that it's dying a slow death and causing your other problems.

Aside from the typical whrrr sound coming from an exhaust fan, a power supply should not be making any sounds.

Can you open up the computer and tell us what make, model, specs are for the current power supply? (There should be a label on the side of the power supply.)

Also, what is the make and model of the computer?

EDIT: TO be sure of where the noise is coming from, get a 1 or 2 foot or so length of tubing. garden hose, car hose, whatever.. Put one end to your ear, and the other to each part in the PC as it's making the noise. Check all the fans first. Video card fans tend to die quickly and make lots of noise doing it.

Now, if it's definitely the power supply:

Hmm..I definitely think you should replace the power supply.

The only thing I'm not sure of is if a regular ATX power supply will fit in your case. The big name makers tend to make their cases proprietary so an aftermarket P/S may not fit.

Do you have a CompUSA or BestBuy nearby? If so, you can go get a PS and see if it fits. (This way you can return it if it doesn't.)

If possible, stick with a good name brand like Antec or Enermax. ( I suggest an Antec True 330w or 380w.) You want around 350watts so you have room to add more things to your PC later on if you want. (fans, DVD, harddrives, etc.)