Distracting loud whirring noise from Aspire TC-390 Desktop PC

Hi there,

I predominantly use my Aspire TC-390 Desktop PC (AMD Ryzen 3, 1 TB HDD & 128 GB SSD) to play Age of Empires IV (AoE IV).

As my TC-390's out-of-the-box memory wasn't sufficient to support the highest graphics setting on AoE IV, I installed two Crucial 16GB DDR4-3200 UDIMM memory 'cards' on the 9th of February using this video as a guide (as I have never modified a computer before).

The good news is that after updating the settings in AoE IV and restarting the machine, I could enjoy the highest graphics standards in the game on the day I made the installation. I took this as evidence of my installing the cards successfully.

However, booting up the machine last night (14th of February) immediately produced a distractingly loud whirring noise. To try and fix the issue, I restarted, shut down, and powered up my machine. Unfortunately, neither of these attempted fixes worked and the noise persisted immediately after turning the machine on.

Does anyone in the Acer community know i) why this is happening and ii) how I can fix it, please? The noise is antisocially and distractingly loud, which prevents me from using my computer.

Thank you!

George

Accepted answers

All comments

Larryodie

Sounds like a fan bearing or a foreign object dropped into a fan.

Visually inspect and spin the fan (s) manually.

gburton20

Thanks @Larryodie ! I'll next be able to look at this on Tuesday, so I'll try your solution then and let you know how I get on. 🙂

billsey

Often that is caused by a disturbed wire that's rubbing on the fan blades…

gburton20

Hi @Larryodie and @billsey ,

Thank you for being so helpful here.

I investigated yesterday and realised I hadn't reconnected the red and black wire with an L-shape endpoint when inserting my memory cards the last time.

As a result, the disconnected wire was loose and touching the fan, causing the noise.

The noise has gone after reconnecting the wire and turning on the machine yesterday.

All the best,

George

Larryodie

Thanks for the follow up.

billsey

Good to hear… I won't mention how often I've seen that. :)

Axxo

Sudden increase in fan speed or a whirring noise from your desktop computer's box can be caused by various factors, and it's essential to identify the source of the issue to prevent potential damage to your computer. Here are some common reasons why this might happen:

Overheating:
The most common reason for an increase in fan speed is overheating.
When the internal temperature of your computer rises above a certain
threshold, the system will automatically ramp up the fan speed to cool
down the components. This is a protective measure to prevent damage from
excessive heat.
Intensive Tasks:
Running resource-intensive applications, such as video editing
software, gaming, or other demanding tasks, can cause the CPU and GPU to
work harder, generating more heat. As a result, the fans may spin
faster to dissipate the extra heat.
Dust and Dirt:
Accumulation of dust and dirt inside the computer can obstruct airflow
and cause components to overheat. Cleaning the inside of your computer
regularly can help maintain proper airflow and reduce fan noise.
Failing Fan:
A fan that is starting to fail or is becoming obstructed can cause
unusual noises. A damaged or malfunctioning fan should be replaced to
avoid overheating and potential hardware damage.
Background Processes: Sometimes, certain background processes or software may temporarily spike CPU usage, leading to an increase in fan speed.
Hardware Issues:
Other hardware components, such as the hard drive or power supply unit,
might also emit noise that can be mistaken for fan noise. If a failing
component is suspected, it's essential to diagnose and address the issue
promptly.

To troubleshoot the issue:

Check Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) to identify any applications or processes consuming high CPU resources.
Ensure your computer's vents and fans are clean and free of dust.
Consider installing software to monitor your computer's temperature and fan
speeds. This can help you identify whether overheating is the cause of
the issue.
If the problem persists or you suspect a failing fan or other hardware
issues, it's best to seek assistance from a qualified technician to
inspect and repair the computer.

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