Strange grinding noise

[JumpM8ty]

I think I left my computer in sleep mode during both times .The first time I did so, it made a strange noise for a minute when starting up. But the second time I heard a weird grinding noise which lasted for a minute. It's kinda scaring me. Is their any components which are damaged or messed up?

 

[LinuxDevice]

I doubt sleep would have harmed anything, but probably a fan is wearing out (or just too much dust). During startup bearings are most likely to make noise; continued noise might mean being out of balance or indicate more wear. In the past I've just tapped the center/axle part of the fan with a flick of the fingernail to see if noise changes as a way to see which fan is making the noise. If the fan is actually in the power supply you're out of luck.

 

[JumpM8ty]

Thanks you probably are right, replacing the power supply isn't an issue for me, but I recently brought it. It would suck to replace it. But do you know why it happens periodically? The fan noise that is. It has only happened twice so far. Also why does it not continue to make noise after a minute?

 

[LinuxDevice]

Thanks you probably are right, replacing the power supply isn't an issue for me, but I recently brought it. It would suck to replace it. But do you know why it happens periodically? The fan noise that is. It has only happened twice so far. Also why does it not continue to make noise after a minute?

Fans get dust and grit in them sometimes. Sometimes bearings wear out...some cheaper ones do this a lot sooner than more expensive ones. Bearings are also designed to be inexpensive...some more so than others don't last long. Some of the more expensive fluid dynamic bearings have to first spin up before the fluid part takes over...fluid dynamic bearings get their wear from startup mostly, versus long running...other bearings get their wear from actual run time. The fan itself might be more or less closer to balanced or not...precision can change how fast any bearing of any quality might last.

Is it a cheap supply? Then bearings might just not have a long life. Is it expensive with fluid dynamic bearings? Then it might even be ok if the noise is only at startup. Sometimes spraying them out with the compressed air dust cleaners designed for computers can help. FYI, if a power supply fan needs replacement, then likely the supply could be opened up and the fan replaced by someone who does basic work (you may need to solder, but it isn't particularly difficult).

Often if fans partially fail part of the system will heat up and power will be throttled back (depends on hardware). This wouldn't harm anything, though I wouldn't expect it to help lifespan. Some more critical components can sometimes build heat so fast there isn't a chance to throttle back. I remember an older Athlon motherboard (these were notoriously hot CPUs) where the heat sink mount was not quite right and within the first second or two of powering up it blew a hole completely through the motherboard and sounded like a gun going off. This is not typical, especially if the fan at least works partially.

 

[JumpM8ty]

Power supply isn't cheap. Sorry very busy rn and forgot to check your response. Thanks allot tho. I'm able to run bf1 I believe at good temperatures. I can double check later.