Is this a constant steady noise somewhat like the fan on a higher speed than normal or sporadic on and off sounds you are getting? How old is the computer? I was wondering if there were dust bunnies in there cloging up the heatsink on the processor creating a heat issue.

Have you tried inserting a CD or DVD to see if the sound changes in any way once the drawer is closed?

I usually associate unusual noises to a hard drive that is starting to fail so immediatley back up everything you need just in case in fact using an image program to image that drive would be very wise. I would get the free belarc tool and run it to see if it says anything about the hard drive health. If it sounds at all like clicking noises get to backing up your stuff asap.
Belarc

The fan on my older computer growls when it's first turned on, but if I reach around to the back of the computer and rap it with my fingers a little it'll stop. I should swap it out, but it's been going on for years!

FWIW

Today it is quiet...
I did the Belarc test and failed miserably in parts- security, it mentioned events advisor, application advisor among many other items- just what I was asking about yesterday.
Now that I know that areas need to be fixed, how do I go about that? There are WAY too many for somebody to tell me how to do them individually!
I don't do any kind of banking, business- reports with my computer- just email and surfing, so I really don't have anything to backup except a few email addresses- only about 6.
If I am about to die, I will need to know how to avoid doing anything that maybe I did to cause this- still trying desperately for computer classes, but none here in this two-horse town.
Is there a way to fix what Belarc says is wrong?
Thanks

I forgot to answer- the noise is not like a highspeed fan- it makes different clicking noises, then maybe a fan- the noises are not alike.
Today I am having more problems with the 'this program not responding' and getting kicked off- sometimes every time I go to a new site. Must remember to call computer service tomorrow.
Maybe it is dying- it certainly sounds like it is in great pain.

Last Friday you started this thread about your computer not responding. Genes suggested more info would be a great help and I made a couple of suggestions including a site with fixes listed for what may be your problem. What happened? No point going further until we can understand what you did and if anything worked.

You started this thread on Sunday, I asked how old the computer was - no answer. I suggested inserting a CD or DVD to eliminate that as the issue perhaps. What happened?

Ravencajun suggested using Belarc, you did and said it failed miserably but you now know what is wrong but failed to put that on this thread for anyone who may have an answer.

If that were my computer and there was not much to back up then I would save that stuff and then use the recovery partition or CD that came with the computer and return it to factory defaults. At this point I definitely would not be calling in any service person because using the recovery tools is what they would likely do for you as the least expensive fix. Using the recovery partition or CD removes every bit of junk that is cluttering up the computer. Repair techs can be expensive.

As it seems this is an older computer you should shut down, remove the power cord and take off the left side to see how much dust and dirt has gathered in there over the years. Dust bunnies can cause heat build up and make the computer unstable.

owbist- sorry- I thought I had answered everything. I try to be conscientious but some of the meds I have to take make me an airhead.
I did put in a cd- and took it out. It didn't make an difference. The other day it stopped making the noises- least for now.
The belarc test had so many 'red flags', that I wouldn't be able to type them all. I don't know how to show the page of results as I see other people do- that would make sense to you guys, I'm sure.
I still have the cd that came with the computer- I will reload it tonite. I didn't realize it took all the junk out- I knew it restored settings to the original, but not that it took the bad stuff out.
I will look at the inside for dust- I am unable to see small things like the 'hinges' that open to it though. I will have to go to the computer server to have them open it for me. They don't charge for help- sometimes their techs seem to make a problem worse- so it's a good thing we don't have to pay them!! It is TCT West- I don't know if that is a well known/used company or just a local one. They do cable tv, computer server (satelitte and phoneline) and landline phone service.
I will get help with opening the computer and let you know. It will probably be a couple days.

ilmbg, sorry I had forgotten from a previous post you had mentioned your meds messing with you somewhat. My post was not intended to give you a bad time so much as to emphasise what Genes had stated.

Yes using the restore partition or CD which ever you were supplied with will take this computer back to the same as the day you brought it home. Everything on there now will be gone. But as you have stated that all your data is backed up you have nothing to worry about in that respect.