I have a 1.2 gig athlon with a k7t266 Pro board using XP Pro, I have been using it for about 7 monthes and yesterday it starts making a funny noise ( kind of like a low squelch or radio feedback noise ). I open up the case and check all the fans by disconnecting them the sound doesn't stop. I thought it might be the power supply (the fan inside) so I replaced the power supply the sound is still there. I replace the heat sink and fan and the sound is still there. I thought it might be my hard drive so I detached the hard drive and then booted the sound was still there during the reboot. I also disconnected my ATI Rage 32 meg video card and still the noise continues. The funny noise is not funny anymore!! The noise seems to be coming from the processor area. Is it possible that the processor is making this noise? My computer is functioning fine but the noise is driving me nuts. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Coolasice1964

[This message has been edited by coolasice1964 (edited 03-21-2002).]

Hello coolasice1964,

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif Forums!

Does the noise begin as soon as you turn on the unit, before making it through POST?


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May all your dealings in life be win/win!


Whyzman
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Reserved for Punishing Humor...A Pessimist's blood is always B-negative!

unhook speakers and the one "inside the case" see if the sound is still there.

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Death has come to our windows.

-- Jeremiah 9:21
(undoubtedly a Biblical reference to a Microsoft product!)

YODA74@windows-sucks.com

Also try disconnecting your modem http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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Yes the noise starts as soon as I turn the computer on. I tried disconnecting the speakers and the the modem but it didn't help. The noise does seem to get loader or at least more consistent when I am actively doing something like scrolling the mouse or opening a program. Thanks for the replies so far!!

coolasice1964

One thing that might prove useful, a long screwdriver! makes a very effective stethescope. Try the hard drive case and any other item. If using it on the mobo, a hard plastic tip will prevent shorts. Might help you find where the noise is coming from.



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Any system, however complicated, if looked at in exactly the right way, will become even more complicated.

This noise happens in laptops that have the scrolling button thats set in the keyboard. It happens when you keep you finger pressed on the button, especially on startup. The noise sounds like a low deep radio type noise.

If the noise starts only with the mouse movements, take the ball out of the mouse socket and clean it with dry tissue, and blow any dust or grimes out of the empty socket./clean connectors and make sure no pins are missing.

If the noise comes and goes of it's own accord without mouse or keyboard pressing, then look at the graphics card fan if it has one, because noises from this area can indicate bearing wear in the fan and this can be easliy remedied.

You might as well check to make sure no wires or cables are not crossing over or impairing air-flow around the processor fan, as this can also cause strange noises.

I dont know if any of these suggestions apply, but it's worth a stab in the dark if you run out of ideas!

I have tried all the suggestions to no avail. Has anyone heard of a power supply not the fan making a feedback type of noise if it is over worked. Although I am not doing anything on the computer and it still makes the noise. I am grasping at straws right now...very frustrated! I have taken everything out except the cpu and power supply(replace it) and the noise continues.

Coolasice1964

Hi

I hope this don't sound dumb but when u say there's a sound, is it something mechanical or electrical. I believe it can be slightly differentiated.

When u say the sounds gets louder or more consistent when u open a program or move a mouse then I may suspect its either ur HDD or RAM (electrical noise) When u said u disconnected ur HDD did u disconnect the power or IDE cable. U shd take out the power cable and start up.

I thought it was a mechanical sound when it first started but I am not sure now. I don't think it is the hard drive as I disconnected both the power cable and the ide ribbon before booting and the noise was still there. I had a tough night with the system crashing over and over. I started up this morning in fail safe mode and it stated with no problem ( fail safe - loads at 200 fsb and only at 900 mhz ) I still get the noise but only on opening a new program the mouse issue is no longer there. This leads me to believe that it is a processor problem. Has anyone heard of this happening to an Athlon processor?

Thanks for all the help so far!!

Coolasice1964

One more thing that leads me to believe that it is the processor is ...when I open task manager the CPU usage number goes up as it should when opening a new window or program the thing is the sound also starts when the CPU usage number goes up. Just a thought.

Coolasice1964

Hmmm..

Can you try this? Underclock your CPU by say... 50% see if there is any different? Just a thought thats all, unless you have another CPU on standby.

Have you tried removing the CPU and plugging it back in? It's a long shot, but stranger things have happened! ;-)

I have under clocked it to 900 mhz and the sound is almost gone. Definately not as consistant. I did pull the cpu and then put it back in when I replaced the heat sink and fan. The computer is working fine except for the noise of course.

Thanks again will keep looking for answers!

coolasice1964

It's your power supply. Connect a different power supply to verify.
I've had this happen once to me. Give it a shot.

Dave

Hi

Since you said that when you underclocked your CPU, the sound is almost gone you may want to replace the processor one for one because I may suspect its your CPU's fault. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif Wish you good luck!

I have replaced my power supply. I guess I will have to buy a new cpu and try that.

coolasice1964