new noise from CPU---PLEASE HELP!!!

I have a Dell Dimension 4500, Win XP, SP2, w/Pentium 4 and 128 MB Ram. I have a cable connection. For the last few months, I have left it on basically 24/7, as I have read this is less wear and tear than daily boots, when it has been off all night.

Yesterday I began to hear a little noise from, I think, the back of the CPU. I have not added anything recently.
I turned it off and unplugged everything, hoping to get rid of the noise. It is still there.
It is not grinding, just a constant white noise.
I can't believe the hard drive could be failing already.

I took a flashlight and looked back there. WOW!!! Lots of dirt and dust.
Should I try to take a vaccuum to the back, without opening it of course?

I know you're not supposed to open the CPU without being grounded, and I don't know how to safely do that.
But, is cleaning out the inside something that needs to be done.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

To ground yourself, just place your hand on a piece of metal that is grounded to a plug (say...a refridgerator). I have a wire running to a lighting rod in my backyard, works good. Go get yourself a can of air to blow away the dust. Get the fans good and everywhere that dust would build up.

Thanks for the info DLM.

I have a question. I'm not totally sure all the plugs in my house are actually grounded. There was a handy-man-challenged person living here before us What happens if I touch something metal that is not grounded?
Where do I find how to open the CPU? Is it just remove the screws in back? At what point do I need to ground myself?

Finally, could this noise just be a dirty fan?

Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe
What happens if I touch something metal that is not grounded?

Nothing...you just wouldnt get grounded. Youd still have the static charge in you.

Where do I find how to open the CPU? Is it just remove the screws in back?

Usually, on mine I just take out the screws and the 2 sides slide off. Most have like a 1 piece covering that unscrews in the back.

FYI...the CPU is the processor inside...what your talking about is just the tower.

At what point do I need to ground myself?

Before touching it...

Finally, could this noise just be a dirty fan?

Sounds like it to me...but better safe than sorry.

[Edited on 21-11-2004 by dreamlandmafia]

One last thing, do I have to keep grounded? Maybe I need to get to Radio Shack and buy one of those wrist thingies?

For any others not knowing anything about static electricity, I found this article:
www.pcworld.com...

Originally posted by dreamlandmafia

Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe
What happens if I touch something metal that is not grounded?

Nothing...you just wouldnt get grounded. Youd still have the static charge in you.

And, I could fry the CPU. (yeah, I kinda knew the CPU part was the stuff inside. )

Finally, could this noise just be a dirty fan?

Sounds like it to me...but better safe than sorry.

Well, I know a dirty fan is noisier than a clean one, I'll bet your right.

[Edited on 21-11-2004 by DontTreadOnMe]

Turn the computer entirely off, pop the case open, get a can of dust-off, or a vacuum cleaner and go to town on it. It's probably built up dirt and dust built up in a fan somewhere. If you're motivated enough, you could take off all of the fans and go over them with the dust off, or vacuum cleaner. But it definitely sounds like a fan has got some dirt in it somewhere.

Thanks, guys, for all the help. Amazing what a little can of air can do!

BTW, Dells are weird ducks. There ARE NO screws to remove from the back. There's a large "button" on the top and the bottom of the tower. They release the sides to open like a book from the back.
My dear husband figured that one out

Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe
Thanks, guys, for all the help. Amazing what a little can of air can do!

BTW, Dells are weird ducks. There ARE NO screws to remove from the back. There's a large "button" on the top and the bottom of the tower. They release the sides to open like a book from the back.
My dear husband figured that one out

weird ducks are good ones...

i love dells and i am a big fan of them...

no screws = makes my life better