Power Supply Fan Groaning

I have a ventilation fan on the power supply making a groaning sound. :confused

Sounds to me like the bearings are going bad like on a regular household fan does.

 

Hello,

Are you completely sure it's the Power Supply (PSU)? If it is, then DO NOT OPEN THE UNIT! Opening the unit is very dangerous as lethal voltages are held within it for a few years, even after it is switched off.

It is fairly easy to replace the entire unit, and this is what I recommend you do. Have a look at the sticker on the side of the PSU for a wattage value (xxxW), and make sure than any PSU you buy has the same or higher wattage value.

Also, and this is the most important part, make sure you get a quality PSU, as the cheap ones will blow within a few weeks/months and may take half your components with it. Get one from the good section of this list and you will be OK: http://www.pcmech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88987

 

Best way to go since a name brand quality PSU is still relatively inexpensive and, as stated by Collins, fairly easy to replace.

 

If only my land line wasn't down. Talk to my tech guy and he recommended I replace the cooling fan itself as they are really cheap. Besides, it's an old computer that isn't used that much any more. It has a plug on the end where it plugs into the circuit board. Checked the voltage being 12V. I bought a Paniflo brand fan, all ball bearing rated at 12V. Exact same size. Plugged right in to the OEM plug on the circuit board. Has been working fine.

I had the power supply disconnected from the AC for several days, used my digital VOM and found no high voltage inside.

But thanks for the info anyways and the link. I do appreciate it allot.