Case won't stop vibrating

[Codelyoko373]

I'm not even sure how long this has been going on for but for quite awhile now, I've noticed this vibrating noise that seems to be coming from the front case panel. The reason I'm pretty sure it's case vibrations is because pushing certain parts of the front case panel in SOMETIMES causes the vibrating to stop and sometimes it doesn't. Though I have noticed the vibrating noise actually gets louder if I push the case in at other certain parts.

For awhile this noise wasn't that loud and was bearable but after installing my new CPU cooler, it's almost become unbearable considering the noise seems to be much louder and harder to stop and the side panel has also started vibrating (Which I can stop by pressing against the side panel but only stops when I'm pushing against it)

I have tried to fix this but nothing actually seems wrong. Taking the front panel off and reinserting it doesn't fix the problem. Do you think I've broken my case somehow? and also should I be concerned about these vibrations? Like will they damage components?

 

[mbilal2]

Check the CPU fan and other ones as well. It may be missing one wing and that is what is causing the vibration. If the case is near a window AC or something like that, it may be the cause of vibration. Lastly, tighten the screws of the fan, mobo, etc

 

[Codelyoko373]

Check the CPU fan and other ones as well. It may be missing one wing and that is what is causing the vibration. If the case is near a window AC or something like that, it may be the cause of vibration. Lastly, tighten the screws of the fan, mobo, etc

I tried everything you said and the vibrating noise is still there sadly. All screws were tighten and such apart from the power supply screws which seemed a little loose but tightening them didn't fix the problem.

 

[Reepime]

Is this a constant vibration or does the intensity change? For example, if you let your computer idle, doing nothing for a while and if you were to run your computer hard (such as watching a video at full screen or playing a game), and if you were to do a lot of hard drive activity (such as an Anti-Virus Scan), would there be a difference in the intensity of the vibration during any of those times or is it always the same?

 

[Codelyoko373]

Is this a constant vibration or does the intensity change? For example, if you let your computer idle, doing nothing for a while and if you were to run your computer hard (such as watching a video at full screen or playing a game), and if you were to do a lot of hard drive activity (such as an Anti-Virus Scan), would there be a difference in the intensity of the vibration during any of those times or is it always the same?

It's a constant vibration but the intensity changes at random it seems. For example when I'm playing a game, sometimes I won't be able to hear the vibrations unless I move my head down next to the front panel while sometimes while playing the same game, I'll be able to hear the vibrations quite loudly.
Like now I can't hear the vibrations much but I can hear it getting louder and then getting quieter and louder and quieter and so on.

 

[Reepime]

There's 2 possibilities. One is that a fan is coming loose, and I'm talking the spindle in the center. If that's slowly working its way out, it can cause a fan to wobble which would cause vibration. Another possibility is that the hard drive is becoming unbalanced (or is loose) and as a result, that's causing the vibration. In both situations, it could depend on the activity of the computer that would affect the intensity. If there's a lot of video processing (such as an explosion or lots of particles) it can cause the GPU to heat up which would in turn cause the fans to speed up causing the vibration to increase. If there's any reading or writing coming from the hard drive, such as a new level being loaded or files being saved, for example, then that could cause the speed of the hard drive to increase, which would cause an increase in vibration.

The fact that it became more intense after installing the new cpu cooler indicates that the case dynamics have changed, making it more susceptible to the vibrations. This could be as simple as opening of the case and modification of the parts adjusted the structure (slightly bent for example) or there could be more weight (larger cooler or different style) causing different types of stresses or pressures.

If it's a fan causing the problem, you could possibly repair the fan by tightening the retaining clip inside or you could replace the fan. If it's the hard drive, it may be an indication of a structural failure or just a loose screw. They do make rubber "gromets" to reduce case vibrations that could help as well.

 

[Codelyoko373]

There's 2 possibilities. One is that a fan is coming loose, and I'm talking the spindle in the center. If that's slowly working its way out, it can cause a fan to wobble which would cause vibration. Another possibility is that the hard drive is becoming unbalanced (or is loose) and as a result, that's causing the vibration. In both situations, it could depend on the activity of the computer that would affect the intensity. If there's a lot of video processing (such as an explosion or lots of particles) it can cause the GPU to heat up which would in turn cause the fans to speed up causing the vibration to increase. If there's any reading or writing coming from the hard drive, such as a new level being loaded or files being saved, for example, then that could cause the speed of the hard drive to increase, which would cause an increase in vibration.

The fact that it became more intense after installing the new cpu cooler indicates that the case dynamics have changed, making it more susceptible to the vibrations. This could be as simple as opening of the case and modification of the parts adjusted the structure (slightly bent for example) or there could be more weight (larger cooler or different style) causing different types of stresses or pressures.

If it's a fan causing the problem, you could possibly repair the fan by tightening the retaining clip inside or you could replace the fan. If it's the hard drive, it may be an indication of a structural failure or just a loose screw. They do make rubber "gromets" to reduce case vibrations that could help as well.

Are these vibrations going to be a problem though? Will they damage components?

 

[Reepime]

It depends on the cause of the vibration. If it's a result of an unbalanced fan, the fan will eventually fail (possibly but rarely catastrophically by sending pieces flying inside the case). If it's the hard drive, then it could be an indication of failure and the drive may die in the future. Or, it could just be that the case isn't level and leveling the case will reduce all the problems and nothing will happen.

 

[Codelyoko373]

It depends on the cause of the vibration. If it's a result of an unbalanced fan, the fan will eventually fail (possibly but rarely catastrophically by sending pieces flying inside the case). If it's the hard drive, then it could be an indication of failure and the drive may die in the future. Or, it could just be that the case isn't level and leveling the case will reduce all the problems and nothing will happen.

Truthfully I think it's just a problem with the case, such as it not being mounted correctly. When I said in the previous post to the other guy that I took the front panel off and reinserted it, I didn't exactly take it off completely, I sort of pulled it out a bit and put it back in (Most likely in exactly the same place) as I wasn't confident with taking the entire front panel off completely.

Though if it would be anything else then it would be the hard drive. It's about 4 years old now so.

 

[Reepime]

Simply enough, the most danger to it affecting components is the hard drive failure or a fan going dead/exploding. You can try to isolate where the vibration is coming from and resolve it (even physical identification by moving your hand along the case to see where the vibration is strongest). As far as damage to the Motherboard, CPU, RAM, GPU, and PSU; your main concern is shrapnel. It's highly unlikely it'll cause a problem with anything else (although if the shakes are violent enough, it could cause the arm of the hard drive to bounce against the internals causing excessive wear and tear.

You could always unplug the power from the hard drive then turn the computer on and see if there's any vibration to test if it's the hard drive...

 

[Codelyoko373]

Simply enough, the most danger to it affecting components is the hard drive failure or a fan going dead/exploding. You can try to isolate where the vibration is coming from and resolve it (even physical identification by moving your hand along the case to see where the vibration is strongest). As far as damage to the Motherboard, CPU, RAM, GPU, and PSU; your main concern is shrapnel. It's highly unlikely it'll cause a problem with anything else (although if the shakes are violent enough, it could cause the arm of the hard drive to bounce against the internals causing excessive wear and tear.

You could always unplug the power from the hard drive then turn the computer on and see if there's any vibration to test if it's the hard drive...

But surely normal vibrations from those components won't damage them? Like I said, I think it's simply that the front panel of the case isn't mounted correctly and so it's being easily effected by vibrations. I should point out the entire case isn't vibrating, only the front and left side panels are vibrating.

 

[Reepime]

But surely normal vibrations from those components won't damage them? Like I said, I think it's simply that the front panel of the case isn't mounted correctly and so it's being easily effected by vibrations. I should point out the entire case isn't vibrating, only the front and left side panels are vibrating.

That's an important note. Then no, your components should be fine. As for the front and side panel, most likely they're just loose for some reason. Sometimes it's a missed "slide" or hook or there's a peg that hasn't been inserted all the way. If it's really loud, you can probably just get some Elmer's glue to act as a "bounce pad" and apply that in the cracks. Elmer's glue is easily removed and won't damage anything (plus you can get it cheap at a dollar store). Other options would be sticky rubber or fabric pads (like furniture moving pads or the rubber feet for cases).

 

[Codelyoko373]

But surely normal vibrations from those components won't damage them? Like I said, I think it's simply that the front panel of the case isn't mounted correctly and so it's being easily effected by vibrations. I should point out the entire case isn't vibrating, only the front and left side panels are vibrating.

That's an important note. Then no, your components should be fine. As for the front and side panel, most likely they're just loose for some reason. Sometimes it's a missed "slide" or hook or there's a peg that hasn't been inserted all the way. If it's really loud, you can probably just get some Elmer's glue to act as a "bounce pad" and apply that in the cracks. Elmer's glue is easily removed and won't damage anything (plus you can get it cheap at a dollar store). Other options would be sticky rubber or fabric pads (like furniture moving pads or the rubber feet for cases).

That's a good sign then!, appreciate the help.

Also does that glue adsorb vibrations or something?

 

[Reepime]

The glue would act as a "bridge" between the 2 pieces to help prevent the vibration from happening. I just know that it's cheap craft glue that won't damage the case. If you know of something else, then by all means. Also, you only need a dot of it in a few locations. If you wanted, you could use some Rubber Cement as well. It'll stink a little bit while the fumes are around, but rubber cement is a squishy kind of "glue" that also won't damage the case, but may cost a couple dollars more.

 

[Codelyoko373]

The glue would act as a "bridge" between the 2 pieces to help prevent the vibration from happening. I just know that it's cheap craft glue that won't damage the case. If you know of something else, then by all means. Also, you only need a dot of it in a few locations. If you wanted, you could use some Rubber Cement as well. It'll stink a little bit while the fumes are around, but rubber cement is a squishy kind of "glue" that also won't damage the case, but may cost a couple dollars more.

Alright then, Thanks a lot