"PC Making A High Pitched Noise.."

Hi there, sorry to ask yet again, but I got some fantastic responces from here in my last thread so I thought why not?

My computer is making an intermittent high pitched noise, I'm not really how to describe it, but it's kind of like a screeching sound, in all honesty the only way to describe is 'it sounds like electricity', but since electricity doesn't make a noise I'm not quite sure how I came to that conclusion.

Anyway, here's a rundown of the things I've done to the computer.

Motherboard: Completely reseated it and tightened both the screws and the placers underneath the board. The capacitors don't have bulging tops, nor any signs of leakage. When I put a pencil onto the copper coil things around the headsink, the pitch definately changes; however, I'm not sure if this is because they're the things that are making the noise, or if it's because they make an even louder, higher pitched noise when pressed which drowns out the other sound.

CPU Heatsink: I've stopped the fan and the noise persits, ifact, I've just tried pushing the heatsink down with a pencil and the noise seemed to die a little, not stop but it certainly went quieter. The thermal paste under the heatsink is dry and I replaced the heatsink without putting new stuff on, could this be causing the problem? Or is it only stopping the noise because the motherboard's being pushed down too?

Other: I've taken everything else out pretty much, tried a new PSU, a new Gfx card, disconnected harddrives/rom drives/floppy disk drive and stopped every fan in the case

So yeah, I'm pretty certain it's either a problem with the heatsink or the motherboard, any suggestions before I order a new one?

Thanks..!

hmm, difficult. It could also be the psu. I had an old one that made a high pitched noise as well. Drove me absolutely nutbaggers.

Heatsinks don't make noises. And the fan on them usually isn't a high pitched sound. So I would take that out of the equation. Motherboard is a possibility. But the HDD could be too.

Could you maybe unplug all your peripherals (HDD, CDROM, soundcard, videocard, etc.) and turn your pc on then?

If the high pitched sound is still there it's MB or PSU.

If it isn't hook up one device at a time untill the sound joins in. Which could still mean it's the psu because the power requirements become heavier :-)

Thanks for the advice.

Hmm, I've tried a different PSU and the noise is still there, so I've elimated that. Like I said, I've tried unplugging everything (all drives apart from the main hard drive, maybe I should try that too? Although then the computer wouldn't even boot...) and I've also swapped RAM chips, graphics card etc etc.

I'm stumped, although I think it's something to do with the motherboard ;(

yes, that sounds motherboard related, then.

It might be one of your fans.

It might be a small fan on your motherboard. Especially if it's an old motherboard. Try stopping the fan while the PC is on to check if that's the problem (or just disconnect it :). If it is you'll need to replace it.

Edited by Razz at 12:40:46 01-07-2005

Hmm, I only have a heatsink on the motherboard and it's not that old anyway. Like I said, I've stopped every fan in the system and it's still making it :(

Dodgy capacitor on the board maybe? They tend to make a high pitched noise when they are fucked - my LCD monitor has been whistling for a couple of years now.

The capacitors don't have bulging tops, nor any signs of leakage.

Or is that completely unreleated? Sorry I'm not too good at these things.

:/

Buy a new motherboard :)

give it a good kick.. normally sorts things out for me :)

Heh, I've actually hit it numerous times through anger storm! :D

Razz; you being serious? :(

Nah... just my way of saying I give up! :)

When I push my CPU fan down, it definately gets louder, which is odd?

take everything out of your case and reinstall.

Don't screw the motherboard in too tight. Refit the heatsink.

if there is still a sound purchasing might have to be done.

MikeD wrote:
take everything out of your case and reinstall.

Don't screw the motherboard in too tight. Refit the heatsink.

if there is still a sound purchasing might have to be done.

Purchasing a new motherboard?

Okay then, this will be my final question for now.

I need a good CPU cooler, one that'll be fairly quiet and one that'll keep my Athlon Barton 2500+ running at 3200+ at reasonable temperatures. I currently have this one but all of the thermal paste has worn off. Should I purchase a new cooling fan (preferably a small one because there's not loads of room between the CPU and the PSU, and one that isn't £25+) or should I just use thermal paste?

Thanks! xx