High pitch sound coming from computer.

[natturner]

There's this high pitch sound coming from my computer. You can hear it if you're within like 6 or 7 feet. I think it's coming from the cooling fan. The weird thing I noticed is that the sound goes away if my ethernet cable is not plugged in.
Any ideas how to fix it?

 

[JMH]

There's this high pitch sound coming from my computer. You can hear it if you're within like 6 or 7 feet. I think it's coming from the cooling fan. The weird thing I noticed is that the sound goes away if my ethernet cable is not plugged in.
Any ideas how to fix it?

Natturner hi and welcome


There are of course many things that can cause this but the most frequent ones are fans. Is your computer a laptop, or desktop? Is it under warranty?

If you feel comfortable, and it is not in warranty, you can (on a desktop) unplug it and open the case. Carefully (electricity is dangerous) look for loose parts on the fans. When finished plug it back in and turn it on. Can you still hear it? Can you see where it is coming from ?

Let us know if you need further assistance

Jan

 

[Aphelion]

There's this high pitch sound coming from my computer. You can hear it if you're within like 6 or 7 feet. I think it's coming from the cooling fan. The weird thing I noticed is that the sound goes away if my ethernet cable is not plugged in.
Any ideas how to fix it?

It would really help to know your computer specs... makes a BIG difference.

laptop, desktop, make etc...


Not sure if it's fan related because of the ethernet cable oddity.

-Some possible causes... ground differential between the cable/dsl modem and the computer. Is the power supply for the modem plugged into the same outlet the computer is plugged into? If not, try that first. As a test you could try a ground lift (2 to 3 prong connector) on the modem's power supply.

-It's also possible the PC's audio system is picking up motherboard noise generated by the data cable/internal circuitry. Mute the PC's master audio to test.

-If a desktop, does it have the PC speaker hooked up, not the audio system speakers but the one that beeps?

-Last, it's also possible a for a component on the motherboard to make this sound, I had an old synthesizer with loose windings on a coil that made a constant high pitched sound as it sat there and vibrated.

Ap

 

[natturner]

ok, upon further inspection, it's probably not a fan. the noise is present when the computer is plugged in, regardless of if the computer is on or off (just quieter when it's off).

the computer is a desktop
evga intel p55 tr p55v sli/crossover mb
intel i5-760
xtremegear 600w power supply
corsair dominator 2gb pc1333 ddr3 pc3 10666 triple
nvidia gts 250
asetek 510lc 1200mm watercooler

um, i guess those would be the main computer components

 

[natturner]

-It's also possible the PC's audio system is picking up motherboard noise generated by the data cable/internal circuitry. Mute the PC's master audio to test.

-If a desktop, does it have the PC speaker hooked up, not the audio system speakers but the one that beeps?

-Last, it's also possible a for a component on the motherboard to make this sound, I had an old synthesizer with loose windings on a coil that made a constant high pitched sound as it sat there and vibrated.

Ap

could you explain a bit how i would go about checking those?

 

[profdlp]

-It's also possible the PC's audio system is picking up motherboard noise generated by the data cable/internal circuitry. Mute the PC's master audio to test.

-If a desktop, does it have the PC speaker hooked up, not the audio system speakers but the one that beeps?

-Last, it's also possible a for a component on the motherboard to make this sound, I had an old synthesizer with loose windings on a coil that made a constant high pitched sound as it sat there and vibrated.

Ap

could you explain a bit how i would go about checking those?

Stick your ear next to it with the side off and see if you can hear the exact area it's coming from.

 

[Aphelion]

-It's also possible the PC's audio system is picking up motherboard noise generated by the data cable/internal circuitry. Mute the PC's master audio to test.

-If a desktop, does it have the PC speaker hooked up, not the audio system speakers but the one that beeps?

-Last, it's also possible a for a component on the motherboard to make this sound, I had an old synthesizer with loose windings on a coil that made a constant high pitched sound as it sat there and vibrated.

Ap

could you explain a bit how i would go about checking those?

1) The first one is easy, go to the Windows volume control (MS speaker icon in task bar) and click on the small blue speaker icon below the volume fader (slider).


2) Does your computer have an audible "beep" when you turn it on?

Finding the noise on the motherboard could be tricky if you're not comfortable with electronics.

The first thing I would try is my other suggestion, see if you have a ground differential between the modem and the PC... this can cause noise. Read my first post. You will need to plug both the modem and the PC into the same wall outlet.. also, as a test the modem my need it's ground "lifted".

Ap

 

[A Guy]

ok, upon further inspection, it's probably not a fan. the noise is present when the computer is plugged in, regardless of if the computer is on or off (just quieter when it's off).

I'd think a high pitched sound with the PC off would likely point towards the PSU. I take it the sound goes away when you unplug it? If so, does it "wind down" or just stop immediately when unplugged?

A Guy

 

[alphanumeric]

Get yourself a drinking straw and put one end in your ear. Then point the other end where you think the sound is coming from. You'll be pointing in the area of the source of the noise when the offending sound is the loudest. I'm also thinking its probably the power supply.

 

[Carl Lawrence]

I would say it is the power supply.

 

[Aphelion]

I'd think a high pitched sound with the PC off would likely point towards the PSU. I take it the sound goes away when you unplug it? If so, does it "wind down" or just stop immediately when unplugged?

A Guy

He also mentioned the sound stops when he unplugs the Ethernet cable.

Interesting!

Ap

 

[Martin Barret]

Cure to Noise From Computer

Look down on the page to the fix given by guy named "ED".

Problem will be solved.

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Forum- How to eliminate high pitch noise?
Hope this helps!

Martin Barret