Within the past four days my computer has been making a lot of noise and vibrating itself and the table. After checking all of the fans inside the case it turns out that the fan inside the power supply is the culprite. I had shut my computer down and while trying to clean the fan with a can of compressed air it again made a noise sounding like mechanical parts rubbing. Sometimes it acts up and sometimes it does not but when it is making the noises and vibrating the fan is also no longer blowing any air out of the computer. Is this something that needs to be fixed/replaced immediatly or can I just let it go. I cannot take it back since I bought the case from Tiger Direct though.

Sounds like that power supply is on it's last leg! I'd say go ahead and replace it now rather than have it croak unexpectedly some Saturday night when you can't a replacement. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif Also, I'd be a bit worried about possible overheating. You can replace ONLY the power supply without changing out the whole case, and it's not very difficult to do. But be sure to buy the same type power supply - either AT or ATX, because the power switches are different and some motherboard connectors can only be used with one or the other!

Another thought: Does anyone know if it's possible to replace only the fan in a power supply? I've often wondered because they seem to get noisier with time, or is that a good indication the power supply is becoming unreliable?


Kim

[This message has been edited by Jerkymom (edited 10-31-2000).]

I'm just tired of this cheap case. The power supply is a bargin bin component. Also the case has some problems with it such as cheap plastic drive rails that don't work and let the drives fall down into the case. The wierd part of the power supply fan is that sometimes it makes a racket and sometimes it does not. I have seen a couple of Antec cases that look promising at CompUSA. Don't know if the cases are of good quality but they should be a $100.

Yes, the power supply fan can be replaced, but it's not recommended that the meek or electronically challenged tinker inside the power supply. It has capacitors inside that can hold a charge for days, and it definitely packs a wallop. Some soldering might also be required. The fan is usually attached with four screws.

CSO (http://www.computersurplusoutlet.com) might have better prices on cases, Pricewatch (http://www.pricewatch.com) also. You should be able to find a good case for $50 or so, maybe less. For $100 it better be a very good case...

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If you had everything...Where would you put it?

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

Pete: Thanks for the heads up on the lingering charge! I knew that was true for monitors, but it never entered my mind in connection with power supplies. Since I love to take broken things apart and try to fix them, it was only a matter of time until I tackled a defective PS. You've certainly saved me from a very unpleasant surprise and I really appreciate it!!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Kim

A note on buying cases: The things are heavy and shipping charges can be substantial. Be sure you get a price that includes the shipping and handling cost to compare with what you can buy locally.

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mom: Power supplies are nominally safer than monitors, with a monitor the primary danger zone is right out front, the tip of the CRT tube. It holds more voltage than I want to think about, and holds it for several days.

The capacitors in a power supply are a bit safer, since you just about have to touch the contacts on bottom of the circuit board to have a real problem, and you have to pull the board to do that. It's still plenty dangerous though...not something the careless should tinker with, since there's always the chance enough of the wires are available from the top...an abusive ex boyfriend would be a different story...Wouldn't it be great to have one charged and ready? Just throw it his way and yell "Catch!" :eek

Don't try this at home folks, remember, we're professionals... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Samantha: Good point!

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If you had everything...Where would you put it?

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

I really don't want to open up the power supply for the reason a lot of you have already stated about the capacitors. I have had my share of electrocution with them and am not going down that path again. Besides I am sick of the case I am currently using since both my CD-rom drives are still falling back into the case periodically. (since the cheap plastic drive rail system in this case does not work.) Also since I am looking into building another computer I am looking for quality cases sold in local stores. I have already found an Antec Mid tower case with a 300 watt power supply and for $100 (@ compUSA) it should be a pretty good or just expensive case. But the main question I have right now is can I eek about a month out of my current power supply without having to worry about it overheating. And if it does overheat won't it just start resetting my computer?

Current system config:
P2 400 MHz processor
2 HDs 1 4000 rpm, other 7200 rpm
2 CDrom drives 52X and 24X
Sound Blaster X-Gamer
1 NIC
1 modem
Dimond Viper V770 Ultra
1 80 mm case fan in the front
1 60 mm case fan(i think) in the rear
1 p2 cooling fan on the processor heat sink
1 small fan on video card
All on a measly 200 (+_- a little, should have been 250 but is not) watt power supply w/ the fan either burning out or siezing up.