Sometimes it happens that after the computer starts in the morning instead of the usual quiet operation, the user hears very unpleasant sounds that resemble a whistle, rattle, or squeak.
In this case, it is worth listening to the computer and determining where the sound is coming from. As a rule, the culprit is not the system speaker itself, but one of the devices located inside the PC. Some believe that the processor squeaks, but this is unlikely, because this device is a monolithic silicon piece, not able to make any sounds. Therefore, most often it squeaks and the power supply does not turn on. Sometimes the cause may be other components, so you need to conduct an independent diagnosis.
Determine the exact source of whistle
First of all, it is recommended to dismantle the side cover of the “system unit” and carefully examine the processor itself, as well as the cooler located on it. After this, you must try to turn on the computer and carefully bring your ear to the proposed place where the sound appears.
Most often, a power supply unit , a video card, a hard drive or a motherboard squeaks. More precisely, the sounds are not made by them, but by cooling fans.
Based on the experience of specialists, it is possible to say with 90% certainty that the cause of this trouble is precisely BP. In this case, you need to pull it out and try to install another working device instead. However, this procedure must be performed with care.
Determining the power of the power supply
Not everyone knows that in the process of replacing a power supply it is necessary to determine the power with which it works. It is also recommended to check the manufacturer of this device. If the old power supply squeaks and works at 300-350 watts, then the new equipment must meet these requirements. If you install a unit that will have more power, it will not be worse. Less indicators should not be.
If we talk about the manufacturer, then today there is a huge amount of Chinese products on sale that indicate 400-450 watts of power. However, in reality, such PSUs produce a maximum of 300 watts, which negatively affects the operation of the power supply. As a rule, when installing such units, they fail 6 months after operation.
How to remove the old power supply?
Having decided on a new PSU and purchasing its store, you need to get rid of the old hardware. Before starting work, it is necessary to disconnect the computer and the cable that comes from the power supply. To do this, remove the side cover of the system unit.
After that, all wires that come from the old power supply, as well as from other computer devices and the motherboard, are disconnected. It is worth paying attention to the fact that additional wiring can come from the video card, if one is installed. At this stage of work, it is recommended to record which wire exactly where it was connected. This will be useful if the user uses a large number of devices.
Then you need to unscrew the 4 screws on which the power supply itself is located, located on the back of the computer. After that, the device can be pulled out.
Installing a new power supply
This procedure also does not require any special knowledge. In some situations, for example, when the switching power supply squeaks, this method becomes the only solution to the problem.
In order to install a new PSU, you must first screw it to the back of the computer. After that, using the previously prepared scheme, it is necessary to connect all the computer devices to the corresponding connectors. At the final stage, it remains only to close the side cover of the system unit, connect the power cables and turn on the computer.
This will allow the most effective solution to the problem if the computer power supply squeaks. If to change the device completely there is no desire or opportunity, then in this case it is necessary to consider other nodes, which may contain problems that cause similar sound signals.
Cooler
If the power supply squeaks under load, then this indicates that the problem is most likely in the fan. Since the power supplies of modern laptop computers are very hot, almost all of them are equipped with very powerful coolers. In expensive models, silent type fans are installed, characterized by a longer service life. However, coolers are usually found in simple power supplies, which quickly fail. This explains why the power supply squeaks.
Most often, fans begin to buzz due to dust accumulation. This is due to the fact that during the cooling process the product blades capture air and, accordingly, accumulate a lot of dirt. In this case, you can try to disassemble the cooler yourself, grease it and clean it from dirt.
In this case, do not neglect such sound effects. If the power supply squeaks due to the fan, then the cooler may fail. This leads to serious overheating and damage to all computer systems. Therefore, in this case, the part must be removed and try to restore on your own.
We disassemble the power supply
As in previous operations, you must first turn off the computer. After that, the power supply is removed (how to do it, it was described above). In the process, do not rush, because depending on the model of the "system engineer" the power supply unit can be located both in the upper and lower parts of the unit. In some cases, it is quite difficult to pull it out of the system unit due to additionally installed boards.
Before disassembling the power supply, it is recommended to photograph it so as not to get confused later in the connection of the wires. At the next stage, it is necessary to unscrew the screws located on the PSU cover (usually there are 4 of them, but maybe 6). After opening the lid, you can see the cooler itself. If the power supply squeaks, then replacing it, as a rule, helps.
Cooler change
At this stage, do not rush. You may not have to buy a new fan.
First of all, you need to carefully clean all the inside of the power supply. To do this, you can use a nap brush, a can of compressed air or an ordinary vacuum cleaner.
Most attention should be paid to the fan itself, since a lot of dust accumulates on it. If such manipulations do not help and still squeak the power supply, then in this case it is necessary to go further.
You need to remove the original sticker from the cooler and remove the rubber plug located on the bearing. It is not necessary to remove the lock washer; it is also not necessary to remove the remaining grease. It is enough just to drip a little expensive engine oil inside and wait 2-3 minutes until it reaches the bearing. After that, you can install the rubber plug in its rightful place and stick the sticker back.
What to look for?
In the process, you need to exercise caution and determine the type of fan. Devices of this class are both removable and non-removable. In the first case, the bearing can be removed without problems, and then replace it with a new one. If the power supply is equipped with a non-removable bearing, then in this case all the wires of the fan will be soldered directly to the board of the device itself. It remains only to carefully cut the wiring as close to the cooler as possible and strip them. After that, the acquired cooler is installed in its rightful place, and new wires are connected by twisting.
If the mobile power supply is squeaking
As a rule, such devices operate without fans, but even in this case they can make an unpleasant sound, especially if there are vibrations of the wire winding inside. In this case, fairly simple manipulations are performed.
First of all, it is necessary to open the case. This is complicated by the fact that most models are glued. In this case, it is necessary to carefully cut the plastic with a knife or a scalpel. The next step is to coat the coil with varnish. As a rule, it is necessary to process 3 or 4 elements. However, it should be borne in mind that, as a rule, the largest coils, which are very close to the AC source, are responsible for noise. Then it is enough to glue the case and wait until the varnish dries. The same method of solving the problem is applied if the LED power strip squeaks.
If the cooler on the processor is noisy
This element can also become clogged with dust and make characteristic whistling sounds. In this case, the cooler also needs to be cleaned. However, everything is complicated by the fact that these elements operate with a variable speed, which depends on how heated the central processor of the PC. As a rule, thermal paste dries in such products, so they fail.
Cleaning and lubricating this fan is much more difficult, so many people prefer to simply adjust the operation of the device using third-party utilities that are installed on the computer. However, one must understand that such a solution is temporary.
Other causes of whistling
If the power supply squeaks without load, for example, if you connect it to the network, having previously removed it from the computer, then in this case you will have to carry out a more detailed diagnosis. To do this, use specialized measuring instruments and test with their help all components of the equipment.
It is also worth noting that powerful video cards are always equipped with their own cooling systems. In this case, you need to remove the entire board and its fan. It will be necessary to replace the thermal grease.
If the laptop power supply squeaks, then in this case, self-repair will be problematic. In addition, the situation is complicated if the manufacturer of the unit is ASUS. The fact is that in such laptops the cooler and power supply are located in the most inconvenient way. As a rule, to get to the fan, you need to disassemble the entire device and remove the motherboard. However, even with the successful completion of these operations, the cooler will have a protective seal. If you remove it, it will be very difficult to install the device back.
On other models, the power supply is usually removed very simply. To do this, on the back of the laptop you need to unscrew a few screws. At the same time, you do not have to disassemble the entire unit. Therefore, before work, it is worth considering in detail the scheme of the device of a particular machine.
What is not worth doing?
First of all, it is not recommended to diagnose problems when the PC is turned on. Before you remove the cover of the device, you need to not only unplug it, but also pull out the wire from the outlet. Only after making sure that the unit is not receiving power can you start working.
When removing any board, you can not jerk it sharply. It must be remembered that these elements are usually additionally attached to the PC case with several screws.
When using a vacuum cleaner, do not stick it deep into the system unit. So you can damage the circuit. In addition, hard or sharp objects are not recommended for cleaning. At any computer store, you can find cans of compressed air that are best suited for such events. You can also use cotton buds or soft brushes.
When cleaning the cooler and other parts of the power supply, you can use a small amount of alcohol. But pour it directly into the device is not worth it. It is enough to moisten a cotton swab in 2-3 drops of heating fluid, and then the old thermal grease will be easier to remove. However, if the PC has not been used for a long time, it will dry to the state of cement and it will be very difficult to wash the material. In this case, you can use specialized tools, which are also sold in a computer store.
Finally
An unpleasant squeak on a computer can be caused by a variety of problems. However, most often the cause is the cooling system of the power supply. Nevertheless, it is recommended to fix breakdowns on your own only if the user clearly understands what he is doing. Otherwise, you can accidentally do more harm and eventually pay for the repair a more impressive amount of money. Therefore, it is better to trust the masters.