Computer Advice

[RFH Customer: AndyHearne]

Hello all

Recently I bought an HP Media Center - wonderful spec, 320GB drive (160 normal and 160GB removeable), 3 GHZ, 512MB SDRam, TFT etc

Now the thing is, well there are two things, first of all the machine is in a cupboard in my desk though open. Every so often, when the computer reboots or does virus scan it makes a loud noise, like when a hoover goes on, I think it might be something to do with the fan, but the machine gets quite hot, is there anything anyone can suggest.

The other thing is the removable drive, it doesn't seem to pick up via USB or in the slot on the machine, I've installed the Bios download from HP but it can't detect the drive, is there anything anyone can suggest. I have reinstalled the system several times, with avail, no success.

Thanks

[RFH Reseller: Sol]

Firstly, does the removable drive work on another machine? (sounds dumb but worth a check).

The next thing would be to try some other USB accessory on the PC to ensure the USB ports are working. It is possible that the relevant controller chips are fried (seen it happen on a Dell machine). In this case give HP a call.

For the sound issue, is the cupboard area closed of at the back? Most computer cases are designed to pull air through from the bottom front to top rear. If your desk has a closed back I would suggest you cut a hole behind where the fan outlets are.

The reason for the louder noise could be that you have smart fans which increase in speed depending on the system temperature. When the scans are happening your system processor may be running at a high load and hence heating up. This in turn triggers fans to run faster producing the louder noise. In this scenario I would suggest you get something to check the motherboard temperature (maybe a reboot and check through the BIOS configuration). Take a few readings and see if you think they are too high (above 50c would start would mean the CPU is starting to get hot). I have seen some CPU's running at 69c for a sustained period (3 to 4 hours) without too much ill effect, although I wouldn't recommend it.

If you find the CPU running too hot, look at other ways of cooling (adding more fans, using a water cooler, or just dump the whole thing in a fish tank)

[RFH Customer: AndyHearne]

Hi

Thanks for the suggestions and a great suggestion for question one

Yes tried on another PC via USB, it freezes the PC and can't seem to access it

Will ask my Dad about the hole, downloaded a free programme called Speed Fan, it said my CPU temperature is 44 degrees C - is that ok?

I'll try HP Monday or sometime next week and let you know outcome - thanks for the help

[RFH Customer: Jon Freeman]

Re computers and spec. I recently bought a couple of PC's from http://www.goldenelectronics.co.uk/ a company I'd not heard of before.

I don't think I've got the latest and greatest stuff (couldn't even tell you what that would be to be honest - I never need the highest spec going) but reasonable machines for what I want. I was impressed with the prices, eg a Sempron for £165 inc vat. Maybe a co worth others (I've nothing to gain BTW) knowing about. The pair (only planned on one as I wanted a macine to try to serve some stuff but my XP 2000 died on me unexpectedly - processor - loads of muck in fan when I opened the case...) I bought were Athlone 64, 1GB ram 160GB Sata drive - came out about £400 each.

[jaimalchohan]

Hi

Thanks for the suggestions and a great suggestion for question one

Yes tried on another PC via USB, it freezes the PC and can't seem to access it

Will ask my Dad about the hole, downloaded a free programme called Speed Fan, it said my CPU temperature is 44 degrees C - is that ok?

I'll try HP Monday or sometime next week and let you know outcome - thanks for the help

44degress sounds about right

The fan sound could be your Graphics Card fan or case fans, anyway, I usually get a airplane type sound when I restart my PC, usually a good thump on case quietens it up.

[RFH Reseller: Sol]

The pair (only planned on one as I wanted a macine to try to serve some stuff but my XP 2000 died on me unexpectedly - processor - loads of muck in fan when I opened the case...) I bought were Athlone 64, 1GB ram 160GB Sata drive - came out about £400 each.

A little trick to help keep the muck outside the PC is to use foam in front at the front of your case. Typically I would installed a couple of extra fans at the front of a case and place a small amount of foam or gauze at the front of a fan to act as a dust filter. Some dust does still make it inside so it is worth opening up the machine once in a while and just cleaning it out. I normally power on the system with the lid of during this time and check all the fans are spinning correctly. good maintenance of your fans also keeps the computer quieter since noisy fans are an indication of worn brushes and hence the possibility that they could fail.

[RFH Reseller: Sol]

44degress sounds about right

The fan sound could be your Graphics Card fan or case fans, anyway, I usually get a airplane type sound when I restart my PC, usually a good thump on case quietens it up.

This could be the fan in the PSU which is getting clogged up by the build up of dust. If the system is out of warranty I would power down the system unpug the PSU and open it up to check the fan is OK. Typically the fans in PSU's are replaceable, and I have known PSU fans to fail causing the fuse to blow (and when these fuses blow you can actually hear them as normally the fuse explodes sending little glass bits everywhere). I personally have had two PSU's blow fuses and the explosion on one was loud enough to trigger an alarm's sound sensor about 2 meters away.

[RFH Reseller: Sol]

Hi

Thanks for the suggestions and a great suggestion for question one

Yes tried on another PC via USB, it freezes the PC and can't seem to access it

Will ask my Dad about the hole, downloaded a free programme called Speed Fan, it said my CPU temperature is 44 degrees C - is that ok?

I'll try HP Monday or sometime next week and let you know outcome - thanks for the help

So now we know its the USB device and by the sounds of it you probably have a short somewhere. You could try replacing the USB lead to ensure that is intact, and then try opening up the External Drive and checking the USB port. When opening the external drive look at the solder points for the port as it is possible that one has come loose (this happened to a client on their USB wireless adaptor and it actually shorted the motherboard).

The 44c sounds fine for a system, even at idle (my system runs at about 40c to 49c at idle, and at high loads I have seen this increase to 54c).

[RFH Reseller: petemasson]

A little trick to help keep the muck outside the PC is to use foam in front at the front of your case. Typically I would installed a couple of extra fans at the front of a case and place a small amount of foam or gauze at the front of a fan to act as a dust filter. Some dust does still make it inside so it is worth opening up the machine once in a while and just cleaning it out.

I've done a similar thing. I couldn't find any foam that was low enough density to allow good air flow, but found that a sheet of bounce (that stuff for tumble driers) does the same trick - it also allows your PC to double as an advanced air freshener

With fans, many PCs will have noisy fans while the computer is booting. When the Windows loads, they should slow down again (unless hot).

Pete

[Staff: Warren Ashcroft]

With fans, many PCs will have noisy fans while the computer is booting. When the Windows loads, they should slow down again (unless hot).

This inital noise is caused by the onboard software (not Windows) working out the speed the fan needs to go to cool down the CPU to an optimum temperatur...

Whilst it does this - its going to go fast, then slow down, than slow, then speed up