Auslogics is very good and that's what I'd recommend.

Hard drives don't make noise because there full, they make noise because there are possible mechanical problems. Your noise could be fan related too either a processor fan or power supply fan, case fan etc.. Dust and dirt can cause noise and loose cable is also possible. Your description sounds like a fan, that's a guess. If it's a desktop best thing to do is open it to get a better idea of what's taking place and if it needs cleaning..

Thanks, Zep. Come to think of it, the start of the noise could correlate with when I upgraded the ram on that computer - probably a month or so ago. I did clean it then - compressed air. but it was so dusty. perhaps I blew dust into the wrong place? Or loosened a cable?

I assume I should shut everything down and disconnect all cables before opening it? I could see if it needs further cleaning - but that won't tell me what's happening with the fan if it's shut off? Unfortunately, I won't get to that for a few days.

I can do the defragging sooner. My daughter knows nothinga bout how to close programs and files. So she's often got multiple windows open - and just x's out of things. (I am trying to teach her - she is not a tech-savvy tween ...yet). Does her treatment of the computer result in more fragmented files? I'd like to be able to tell her more accurately what the harm is in doing these haphazardly. Understanding does help get her on board more.

Thanks.
Lynn.

I keep reading the first post so I stay on track, the sound you describe really does sound like a fan, a cable would be more of a clicking sound type. Take a look in side again and see if you can find anything. On my computer I can take the cover off with it running but that's not advice I could give to a user.

Closing programs & files really does not have anything to do with causing fragmentation of files. Individual file fragmentation occurs when a single file has been broken into multiple pieces and occurs over time on the Hard disk, causes the hard disk to work harder to locate the file for what ever application. Defragging also causes a lot of strain on the drive too, so if there is any thought that it is the hard drive making the noise avoid the defrag for now.

Sometimes these sounds are difficult to tract down, the way I do it and I can't recommend it. I open the pc with the power on all fans spinning and running then using a pencil eraser end,I apply slight pressure to the suspected fan or component making noise that pressure usually will make the noise vary and isolate the issue. If it can't be determined by other means like a visual inspection.

For modern computers, defragging is vastly overrated as a means to improve performance. A few years back, in the days of DOS and Windows 3.x and '9x, it made a much bigger difference. Not that it will "hurt" anything just that you won't experience a "wow" factor.

Hard to tell from a distance but I'd think fan unless you can find a correlation to hard drive activity. Fans are pretty cheap. Technically they are no maintenance but if you pull off the label, a drop of a light machine machine oil won't hurt.

"So she's often got multiple windows open - and just x's out of things."

That's the same as closing. Not a problem.

32GB used up out of 40GB is still okay, but avoid going below 15% free disk space (especially since it's an older and slower drive). As the drive gets filled up, fragmentation also increases because the filesystem has less 'leeway' in placing files optimally. Below 12-15% free space, the MFT will begin to fragment, decreasing performance further; remember that the windows native defragger cannot defragment the MFT, only the commercial defragmenters can do it.

If your daughter has only a 40GB hard drive, that suggests to me that it is ancient in terms of computer life expectancy. Just how old is it and what operating system do you have running on it? XP, I presume? Also, how much RAM? Things like defragmentation may not do much in terms of improvement if we are talking about a computer that is struggling to meet the demands of current applications and processes.

Agree and disagree with Mike regarding defragging. In general he is absolutely correct that DF is not as warranted as in the past. However, a user who is operating in a strong multimedia environment including tasks such as deleting, adding, editing and modifying files a DF will noticeably effect performance.

This position is based upon reoccurring work product, and the work system I am using this genre on.

DA

Huh? None of the last 2 days of posts got forwarded to me. Sorry to have not responded.

Zep - Yeah. I think I'm better off not messing with running the computer open. I think the case does swing open but I don't want to take the chance. I am not even comfortable adding a drop of lube to the fan.

Glad to hear that dd's x'ing out of programs isn't a problem. I got inundated with work so I won't get to tackling this for a while. I do want to try the auslogics defraggler - but it doesn't sound like that's the problem.

The computer is a Dell dimension 4500 (from 2002, I think - I bought it used). Windows XP sp3, 1.5 GB ram (increased last month). I think it's Pentium 4 1.8 Ghz. Not a lot of programs running on it. Most space is Flip videos (low resolution, thank goodness - from a storage perspective bc. my daughter films everything - like her feet, the ceiling - and wants to keep all this stuff) and Itunes music and apps. She doesn't game, but watches lots of YouTube - but it has slowed down a lot recently.

I think the only thing I can do (after moving her files to an external hard drive), is close the computer down, open it up and clean it again. Does that sound right?

Thank you.
Lynn.

Okay - one week later. The noise got worse the past two days so I have shut off her computer and realize I have to take a look inside. It does sound like a fan issue.

I know there was advice above about the fan - including some I shouldn't take like opening it while running - or running it while open. Maybe a drop of oil.

I really have to take a stab at this tonight - so if there's further advice about what I should try or not try, please let me know. I don't know that cleaning out the dust bunnies will help. I'm concerned about running it open - even if I think it's the fan, what can i do about it. They may be inexpensive but probably not worth the little bit of money - and my time and effort to change it (given my high dose of ignorance and fear with tampering with the insides of a machine).

Is there anything I can do (push a fan blade, etc) that might help. lastly, hers is a Dell dimension 4500 (fatter case). I have an old dimension 4500s - sitting in storage. perhaps I could switch those fans if they're the same or compatible? If so, any steps to follow?

Thank you.
Lynn.

I gave that advice about opening it with the power on, that's only something an experienced technician should do.

The only further advice I could give is shut the power off and take a visual inspection see if you can see anything.

You might also Google Replace fan on dell xxxx. see if any pictures show on any of the links...

Might find pictures

There is a copy of the manual for the dimension 4500 here. Directions for opening your computer start on page 66. One of my computers opens the same way and it is different. May be a little confusing at first but after you do it once it's not hard. It may save you some trouble if you check it out before you start.

Two steps backwards, one step forward. While dealing with the impending death of my own pc's hard drive, I had plenty of time to work on her computer. I opened the case. Cleaned out the dust bunnies much more thoroughly than I had in October.

I found the fan - and actually took it out and cleaned it thoroughly (mostly compressed air, and a little damp cloth). I did remove the label and add a drop of WD 40. (While I was at it, I searched for replacement fans in case this didn't work - and bookmarked some - it would be so simple to replace if needed.)

Put the pieces back together and started it up. Still noisy. I started organizing her files, deleting duplicates and ridiculous things she didn't even know she had on there. I put everything in logical folders - then copied her 16GB of video (Ipod videos and flip share) onto a 32mb flash drive. Deleted 8gb of that video bc. it's also on her ipod. Then I ran auslogics defrag. Defrag was 100% successful - and she now has about 15GB free on a 40GB drive. Now the noise is less. I hear the fan a little - but you have to stop to listen. Not sure if it just took running a little for the oil to do it's thing. From what folks said earlier, it's unlikely that freeing up space and defragging reduced the noise.

So far, so good. (I even think I could have turned it on with the case open - but i didn't have to.)

Thanks.
Lynn.

Wow, do you have 'energy'!! Wish you could come over and clean out a few computers here. Even have a noisy fan on one but cleaning didn't help.

You are becoming an expert...congrats!

Jane

Lynn,

Good for you. Next time please consider avoiding the use of WD40. Lubricants tend to be dust magnets.

DA

Jane - thanks for congrats. This was not a good burst of energy. It was a pretty horrible-feeling day to get through. I am gaining knowledge, however. (So when I have to put in a new hard drive on my own pc, that will be a piece of cake - still nervous about the restoring my data part.) Hardware is less scary now to me than software.

DA - I thought Mike (a few posts down) had suggested a drop of oil under the label. perhaps WD 40 is not what he meant by "light machine oil." I had no idea lubricants were dust magnets.

At least the computer no longer sounds like a ghost whirring in some Halloween setup.

thanks.
Lynn.

This will make noise:

If you have a CD or DVD in the drive, and the CD/DVD has a piece of tape or if the label on it is not centered, it will make noise when it is rotating because it is out of balance.

dcarch
BTW
Muffin fans do not need oil. Generally they have ball bearings

Lynn,

Take a drop of WD40 on your finger then run your hand over the top of a bookcase or any other dust accumulating area that we all have. Now take a look at the drop. Shake your hand. Much if not all the dust on your hand will have departed except for that which is clinging to the WD40.

DA