Strange noise randomly heard from my CPU...

If you have one of the more popular makes of hard drive you can use their diagnostic tools to check out the drive. They're usually pretty conclusive (although I suggest doing the tests atleast twice to make sure its not a mis report) See this link for the links / tools to the kind you need http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 If you aren't sure what kind of hard drive you have you may be able to find out using device manager, or you can use this program that I find great at times if I'm looking at machines for people with 'generic hardware'. http://www.gtopala.com/ It will give you all the information you will need and should ever need. Goodluck

It is more likely to be a hard disk noise. As you say the browser usage appears to cause it to happen, well the browser will write to its cache on each new page fetch. My hard disk makes strange noises too, but it always checks out OK with diagnostic tests. It may not be anything to worry about. Fans noises are either constant, or are most prominant on first starting the computer. They are not likely to make random sounds.

You definitely want to get that checked out if that is the case. If you hear something that you don't think is right, then have someone look at it.

I had that problem some time ago and it turned out to be dust clogging the CPU fan. I use a desktop so it was simply a matter of removing the cover, and then unclipping the fan from the CPU and cleaning all the dust away. I also then blew away all the dust from the fans - there are three of them - with an air can. The noises stopped then. Obviously I did all this with the machine turned off. _Derek

Obviously noises come from fans and hard drive! If you use destop then you probably can replace fan make sure you know what you're doing! With hard drive, there're several software that can repair those does!

Definitely a hardware issue. Open up your computer and try to locate the source of the noise. Might be a malfunctioning fan, your hard drive, video card, etc. Once you figure out what it is try to purchase or get a replacement part for your computer.

dear Martin, If it is from fans,you can simply open the CPU case and clean those fans. However,if problem persist after cleaning those fans, maybe it comes from your HD. Now you need to reboot your OS for this one. If after re-program you can still hear strange sound- it's time to buy a new one (joke) bring your system to care center or call tech to visit your computer :p

Dearest friend, I encountered such problem in my CPU few months ago.Its a noise that's very destructive and irritating. I can't hardly stand the noise so I asked someone to fix it for me. They find out that the motherboard had problems and the fan that supposed to move to help brings out the heat from the CPU doesn't work anymore. First--- motherboard problem.But motherboard is hard to replace I'd rather buy a new CPU than to replace a motherboard---unless otherwise how much it cost to where you live--- I don't suggest you to replace the motherboard it cost you a dime and that would surely a cost of a new CPU. Second---- Video card when the fan can't hold the heat then it affect the video card then that brings noise when opening browser and files. I think if you're not sure about it ask someone to check it for you. I just base in my own experienced friend it might be contradict to yours. Nice day friend!!

Hi.. It's many causes for your case. It may be its fan, its hard disk, or else. To fix the fan or hard disk, you need to clean it(the fan) and keep to control your hard disk from bad sector. Although, for the old hard disk, it must be changed at several years. For your fan, you can put on a special oil after clean the fan, it's used to repair the rotation. If you're not expert, i suggest to not do that by your self.