My laptop is four years and counting but...
By enelym001
@enelym001 (8322)
Philippines
December 18, 2011 8:41am CST
My laptop is I guess 4 years with me. Early last year I started hearing strange sounds coming from inside – seems coming from the fan. There were other problems too everytime I used it. It always takes time to load everything. It has Windows Vista before and I was advised to reformat it and put Windows Vista instead.
It came out good after installing a new operating system and loading up all applications. No errors are showing anymore. It is loading fast despite putting back all files. The sound strange unbelievably disappeared too! 
I am sure reformatting is not actually the solution to that but how come it the sound stopped?
After almost a year however, the strange thing is back again. It’s not stopping anymore and I think it has become a bit louder too. 
I thought of asking my dad to open the laptop so we can clean its fan. Maybe there are loads of dust inside. Or maybe it was some broken circuit inside? I am not sure but I just wanted to see why it gives out those sound.
I have to borrow my dad’s laptop now because I am worried I might damage some circuits more or whatever the problem my laptop has. I still have no budget to buy a new one too. Have you encountered this with your laptop? What did you do with it?
I am sure reformatting is not actually the solution to that but how come it the sound stopped?
After almost a year however, the strange thing is back again. It’s not stopping anymore and I think it has become a bit louder too. I thought of asking my dad to open the laptop so we can clean its fan. Maybe there are loads of dust inside. Or maybe it was some broken circuit inside? I am not sure but I just wanted to see why it gives out those sound.
I have to borrow my dad’s laptop now because I am worried I might damage some circuits more or whatever the problem my laptop has. I still have no budget to buy a new one too. Have you encountered this with your laptop? What did you do with it?3 people like this
16 responses
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
18 Dec 11
As long as it doesn't turn off with blue screen don't worry with the sound.
I have same problem last year with my 4 years old laptop too.
Having strange sound and blue screen- so bad my 2 gig memory was damaged by some virus - grrr...and I lost some data too :xx
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
18 Dec 11
I just removed the 2 gig memory and leave 1 more gig.
I am planning to buy 2 gig more (but no extra money for it- hehehe)
Besides,I do not keep a lot of date in my laptop now after what happened.
I bought a 10GB USB to store important data just in case :)
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
18 Dec 11
Last year it was that blue screen I encountered, which also prompts me to reformat my laptop and install Windows 7. Not sure if it has something to do with the OS. The blue screen never appeared again but now the sound is here.
What did you do with it? Changed the memory or the laptop?
@ifa225 (14461)
• Indonesia
23 Dec 11
Hi En
i thought i had respond to your discussion...but when i check it back, i have not..lol
have you bring it to the service department?
my laptop is about four years old too and i don't have a budget to buy a new one. the damage is only at the keyboard while the software is still good.
i hope you can buy it next year..or make it as your new year resolution...
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
23 Dec 11
That's okay ifa
Nope actually I did not bring it to the service department.. after a day of making this discussion and my dad inspecting my laptop. Suddenly the strange noise is not there anymore. He didn't anything except to tighten a bit of some loose screws he noticed on my laptop. Didn't know how that happened, I don't even tried to open my lappy since I bought it.
But of course I want to buy a new one too... Hmmm, but I still cannot save that quick
Nope actually I did not bring it to the service department.. after a day of making this discussion and my dad inspecting my laptop. Suddenly the strange noise is not there anymore. He didn't anything except to tighten a bit of some loose screws he noticed on my laptop. Didn't know how that happened, I don't even tried to open my lappy since I bought it.
But of course I want to buy a new one too... Hmmm, but I still cannot save that quick@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
23 Dec 11
I can only wish for that
Money is to be used for important things right now, rather than buying a new one.
Money is to be used for important things right now, rather than buying a new one.
@adhyz82 (36249)
• Indonesia
19 Dec 11
it`s useful of your laptop for you..4 years..many of people only had a lapto with them only 3 years..you must thanks to your laptop..
i suggest you come to technician and ask them to open your laptop and see whats happen with your laptop..
i agree with you that format is not only the solution for the problem of your current laptop..
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
Hi adhyz82,
Yeah it has really served me good. Some others also even had their laptops with them 5 to 6 years. I read one commenter here who said she has her laptop for 8 years. I think if we really take care of it, the laptop will be usable for longer time. I think going to technician will be good.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
Hope for the best Hope mine too, 'though it's having some problem
Hope mine too, 'though it's having some problem1 person likes this
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
18 Dec 11
my laptop is over 4 years old too my computer over 8 years old. Both don't have that sound but my laptop is bad from day number one so never buy a toshiba anymore.
It takes 30 min to start. as soon I want to type it's busy again. Nearly my whole laptop is empty I don't save things on it. As long as it's working it's fine with me.
I don't know about the fan of the laptop but your problem souds like that (my desktop had it and I opened it and vacuumed it what a dust) I assume it can be the same with a laptop?
@adhyz82 (36249)
• Indonesia
19 Dec 11
@wakeupkitty : what about Lenovo brand?? what is your opinion about Lenovo??
@enemylin : maybe your friend is wrong when active the webcam..in my country, Toshiba is guarantee...no doubt about it
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
@adhyz82.. Nope the wen is actually working and she was using it everyday when she chats with her relatives and friends. But one day it suddenly went wrong, we tried to research about it and we find out that there were people who has the same problem with Toshiba laptops.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
18 Dec 11
Maybe it's the same based on what I just read over the internet. But I am still not sure about it. We just suspect it's coming from the fan. My friend has a Toshiba laptop too, though it looks really nice in just a year or two she was already encountering some problems. Last that I know, the webcam isn't working. He can be seen by someone she chats with and she can them too. But she cannot see herself from her own laptop. WE both tried to research how to fix that until we get tired and just leave it. I'm not sure if she is still using her lappy webcam.
@befrindwithme26 (5805)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
One time my new laptop experience weird noise and i am scared because this is new and i do not want to be early shut down and not work it..
but last first week of december my computer not work,there was a problem with hard disk system not found but i go back the shop of this laptop and they repaired it because under warranty.. now is working.
@befrindwithme26 (5805)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
Right it is,thankful to it,nd now i hpe is not a problem for me next,but i can't control what will be happen to my laptop i just care it and also hope will last it long...
Yes i am scared not easy to find money but work hard to it.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
That is true. Even I don't know how to have that big amount instantly if my lappy finally retires And I don't wanna bug my father all the time because I know he and my mom is using their laptop too everyday.
Yes that is right we have to care of the laptop. I actually was careless with it before. But now I am trying to be more careful when using it. Especially now that some problems are manifesting.
And I don't wanna bug my father all the time because I know he and my mom is using their laptop too everyday.
Yes that is right we have to care of the laptop. I actually was careless with it before. But now I am trying to be more careful when using it. Especially now that some problems are manifesting.1 person likes this
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
Good that it's still under warranty, and happy to know that it has been repaired and it's now working. Who would not be scared, right? It is not so easy to find money to buy a laptop nowadays.1 person likes this
@br3ndy (468)
• Indonesia
18 Dec 11
I'm not really sure since my lptp only one year with me now, but i think it is because of the fan. I have a computer that already more than 5 years and it has a strange sound too. I know the sound comming from the fan after i open it and actually the fan has many dust attached to it. Ater i clean it the sound is dissapearing, but come again after 2 or 3 months. If the sound is comming again, i'll open it and clean it again, and so on. I don't really know about laptop, but it is a high chance that the sound comming from your fan because of dust like it happen with my computer.
Maybe you should bring your laptop to the sevice place so you can know the real problem of your laptop.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
hi br3ndy,
Yup normally it happens with desktop PCs too. The sound is normally from the fan inside. But CPUs are so easy to open unlike laptops. We have done with our old desktop before and clean it normally as dust quickly build up inside. Since our house is currently under renovation and have so much dust everywhere even if I put it on the table for a few minutes, my laptop easily becomes white? I suspect it's also because of that.
@br3ndy (468)
• Indonesia
20 Dec 11
@adhyz, untill now i havent have any heat problem with my laptop since i really picky for choosing where to put my laptop. As we know, dust could make our laptop heating easily when many dust accumulated inside our laptop. Did you experience that shutting down when you playing games?
@enelym, wow it means right now your house is full of dust ^_^
If i may suggest you, you should put your laptop inside a bag when you didn't use it to minimize that dust problems. I also do it like that too because for me, dust is a big problem for my computers especially for laptop since we can't open it easily, so i must protect them from dust as much as i can.
Have you bring you laptop to sevice place to get it fixed?
@albto_568 (1268)
• Costa Rica
10 Jan 12
Hello enelym, maybe you change windows vista for windows 7?,I did it, and found much better and easier to use. If you ae hearing funny noises, it is probably the fan, I advise you to take it to the technician and to buy a cooling base, it is good to increse the useful life of laptops.
@albto_568 (1268)
• Costa Rica
10 Jan 12
I am glad that your problems seems to have been solved, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on the fan, and cooling system, I lost a desk PC because of that, of course, it was old, after all.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
Hi albto,
Yes I did change it to Windows 7. There was a typo in my post and I put both Vista Thankfully I was not hearing the noise now even if I didn't have it check by a technician. I also using a cooling base
Thankfully I was not hearing the noise now even if I didn't have it check by a technician. I also using a cooling base
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
20 Dec 11
Oh really?!? I suppose the laptop's with you for much longer years... That is also one thing I was thinking. We have a very very old laptop before and my dad opened it. He showed me something from it, and said it was the LEd of a laptop and once it didn't work, you won;t be able to use the laptop.
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
Don't worry, my friend. Your laptop has no broken circuit because if there is a broken circuit inside your laptop it possibly power on and off or you cannot open your laptop on...
That is a software problem and the software might be old version and need to upgrade or sometimes that is a matter of viruses...
If you laptop is been 4 years and did not reformat in those span of years. Better to run a maintenance now and reformat is the solution to clean all the bad sectors, the registry and or viruses which is not detected by av...
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
20 Dec 11
Hi aaerous,
I've reformatdd it last yeaar. I really don't know what actually happend here the past days or week. I just noticed the sound didn't stop. But since yesteday when my dad tried to check its screws, I tried to switch it on and the noise is gone. Tonight I am using it again and I don't hear anyhitng anymore. I wonder what has really happened.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
23 Dec 11
I think that anything mechanical would show some wear and tear after a few years, especially if you think it's the fan that's making the strange noise.
And I think laptops nowadays are only designed for about 4 years. So people could upgrade with advances in technology.
Your laptop is already there, maybe time for an upgrade?
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
23 Dec 11
I've heard about that too... they said laptops are made to be used for at least 4 years... and I hope it's not true I still have no budget for a new one. So I'd have to pray the system will still work better at least for another 4 years 
I still have no budget for a new one. So I'd have to pray the system will still work better at least for another 4 years 
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
18 Dec 11
Hi enelym
I dont have a laptop for personal use but have used a couple for long durations during my job/working career... Going by that, I believe the laptops need more of cleaning than the regular PCs(desktops). I would suggest you take it to a repair shop and ask them to open it up and clean the dust and also put some oil and any other lubricant for the fans etc.
btw... Are you sure you didnt chew any biscuits or chocos when working with that lappy
I dont have a laptop for personal use but have used a couple for long durations during my job/working career... Going by that, I believe the laptops need more of cleaning than the regular PCs(desktops). I would suggest you take it to a repair shop and ask them to open it up and clean the dust and also put some oil and any other lubricant for the fans etc.
btw... Are you sure you didnt chew any biscuits or chocos when working with that lappy @enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
18 Dec 11
Sids I am guilty about it, I chew biscuits and other snacks while using the laptop
I cleaned it with brush, as I don't have a lappy vacuum.
I am guilty about it, I chew biscuits and other snacks while using the laptop I cleaned it with brush, as I don't have a lappy vacuum.@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
18 Dec 11
Thank God it was not Coffee
Try out with the local repair center. They would be best people to advise you or even correct the problem...
Why do you use Windows Vista btw? Is it because your Laptop came with it. As far as I know, it is a creepy OS... Windows XP is still better and I have also heard some good news about Windows 7. Personally, I use XP and dont need any change with that no matter whether Microsoft Recognizes XP today or not
Try out with the local repair center. They would be best people to advise you or even correct the problem...
Why do you use Windows Vista btw? Is it because your Laptop came with it. As far as I know, it is a creepy OS... Windows XP is still better and I have also heard some good news about Windows 7. Personally, I use XP and dont need any change with that no matter whether Microsoft Recognizes XP today or not@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
18 Dec 11
Yes when I bought this, it has Vista... But then after 3 years I guess, I have changed it to Windows 7.
@aeiou78 (3445)
• Malaysia
20 Dec 11
Friend, do not guess to much about the problem of your laptop.
You should send your laptop straight to an experience technician to resolve your problem.
Whoever does not have good experience and knowledge in computer laptop should not simply open up your laptop and sabotage it and it may make your problem worse.
Before sending it to a technician, you can repeat the same thing you did earlier by reformatting and reload a fresh copy of your Window Vista.
You should scan through all of your other files you have before you reinstall them.
Anyhow, you do have to install a good Antivirus software and an Internet Security Software too.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
20 Dec 11
Hi aeiou78,
I am thinking of going to a technician but suddenly it came back to its normal condition. No weird noise anymore. But my dad actually opened it. But before he opened it he saw that the screws are loose. He didn't do anything inside just opened and checked it. Then when he returned it to me, there was still that noise for sometime. later it's gone. I will try to scan it and run malware bytes.
@ap0calyptic (921)
• Slovenia
22 Feb 12
hello! I think I know what you are referring to completely as I've had this laptop im typing from right now for only a year and a hacf now and few months ago it started that buzzing sound, i think you can relate to this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tipsIgj9aYs this is what you hear, isnt it? its same with mine and I got that msi too, only different version, however it didnt give me problems before, but last time it got to the point where i had to use some hdd repairing cause i kept getting errors and i couldnt get out of repairing console AND everything was freezing and hanging, all programs, so i had to reinstall windows about 10times and now seems to work for two days, but i wont be too happy yet. sound is still here and i dont wanna open it open and do the fan cleaning as its a bit tricky, so as long as it works ill be happy, i only hope its long enough before i can afford a new one, suggestion for you is if you're experienced or someone from your family is you can open it up, but you have to be careful. good luck.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
25 Feb 12
Yes I think it is the same sound that I'm hearing. So far it is okay now. My dad tried to open it but couldn't really open that part. I've managed to see lots of dirt under the keyboard and some parts too. But I was disappointed when we couldn't unscrew that part where fan is there. hopefully it will still work for a long time too.. and yours too.
@sumopunk539 (62)
• India
20 Dec 11
I got my laptop 2 months before and its good that it did not show any bad signs and it shouldn't be too. I guess the transformers movie affected your laptop and there's a lot of robotics going on inside it.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
20 Dec 11
I have to asked them to leave now!
Yeah you should not see any trouble with your laptop it's just so new. How I wish I can have a new laptop too.
@nonersays (3335)
• United States
19 Dec 11
I just got my first laptop ever, so I've not any any problems with it.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
Good for you
Hope I can buy my second one, sadly I still have no budget
But will try to have it fixed
Hope I can buy my second one, sadly I still have no budget
But will try to have it fixed
@kaichoukebz (1190)
• Philippines
18 Dec 11
The keyboard keys of my laptop is broken. I need to replace it. I have no money at the moment so I just to reschedule its repair. At the moment, I am just using external keyboards. We must all take care our laptop. It provides us lots of benefits.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
18 Dec 11
Good thing there was someone who invented an external keyboard. Otherwise people with broken laptop keyboards will have a really big problem. It was so different before when laptop are doubly expensive and they say that once a laptop have internal problems it's no use, now we can find a solution easily. I hope your keyboards will be fixed soon.
