audible alarm from pc

[laswalkirias]

Let me first say that I have no PC knowledge attall and I am relying on you guys to explain what is going on!!! I have had my PC for nearly 2 years now and it was installed for me by a small private company as I have explained I am totally PC illiterate having only discovered the world of computing at 50 years of age!
I have been happily surfing until 3 days ago when this loud beep beep sound came from the PC box (it sounds like one of those two tone sirens on Police and Ambulance) and would not stop until I shut down the system. I turned it on again and about 20 minutes later it started again
I turned of the speakers and the monitor and the sound is definately coming from the PC stack.Also the fans seem to be making a lot of whirring noises.Somebody at work suggested that perhaps the fans were the problem as I have not cleaned them since the PC was installed( I didnt know that you had to)
They also frightened me and said that a fault in the PC stack could be dangerous especially as an alarm type sound was coming from it
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatefully recieved I aphologise for my ignorance of this subject and any technical knowledge that I most certainly do not have!
Please help me

[saphalline]

That's the heat alarm. It means the CPU is overheating. You'll have to open it up and dust it out with compressed air (and most likely a vacuum as well at this point). If you don't feel up to the task, have someone else (who is computer proficient) do it for you.

[Que]

G'day,

As for the whirling noise from the fan(s), it needs some oil.

Where the sticker(lproduct name) is on the head of the fan, remove it, you'll see a rubber bung, remove that. Check if there is oil in that little area. If none, add a drop or two, spin the blades around a few time to allow the oil to seep around the spindle; add a few more where necessary. Do this with all suspected fans. Also do this while the fans are at horizontal position or you'll end up making a mess (vertical) and can damage your motherboard if runaway oil finds itself on the motherboard. Be awear not to use too much oil.

Cheers

[laswalkirias]

Thankyou for prompt replies,it is a bit scarey that nobody told a computer virgin about the hazards of dirt and dust,can i still carry on using it for short periods of time until the alarm goes off or is it dangerous?

[jlreich]

I would advise against using it until you get it cleaned out. Shut it off. You could damage the system. Particularly if it has gotten so bad it happens with just surfing the net, which means it is happening when there is basically no strain on the system.

[saphalline]

it is a bit scarey that nobody told a computer virgin about the hazards of dirt and dustThere are simply so many things to tell a computer newbie that it's difficult for any expert to mention all of them. Heck, a lot of our veteran members came here as newbies to learn "just a few things". :p Now they're experts and show no signs of stopping! :eek:

You get to a certain point where you just have to stop and think about how much you want to learn, and how much you want to skip and ask questions about later. Even though I am considered an expert around here, there are still many aspects of computers in which I am a beginner. It's impossible for any one person to know it all! Just pick out what you want/need to know and skip the rest. Or you'll drive yourself right off the edge!

[jlreich]

Just pick out what you want/need to know and skip the rest. Or you'll drive yourself right off the edge!
You got that right! I sometimes find myself trying to learn four or five different areas at once. It just doesn't work. I have to force myself to drop some of them in order to focus on just a couple things or I get nowhere.

Which really sucks because there are so many things I want to learn. :D

[cdcq12]

Hey, I'm a newbie, and I'm learning. Addin on to prior knowledge as I put it. I try and learn as much as I can handle, hah, I stick to one thing at a time.