Computer making noise
A machine that blows, ticks or beeps louder than you are used to is usually saying something.
What you notice
- The fan runs hard even when idle.
- There is a ticking or scratching sound.
- It beeps on startup.
- The noise is recent and getting worse.
- It hums or vibrates more than it used to.
What we do about it
The difference between blowing and ticking matters. Blowing is nearly always dust and heat, which is fixable. Ticking or scratching can mean a failing drive, and then speed counts.
If you hear ticking, stop backing up to that same machine and stop working on it. Call us. It is the only situation on this site where we say: stop now.
Beeping at startup is the machine itself signalling, and the number of beeps says what is wrong. That can be read.
A noise that is new and getting worse is worth having heard today rather than next week.
Tell us what you are seeing. We will take it from there.