Receiving Whirring Sound

[xonk]

Hi

Not quite sure what the problem might be but even though in Windows Task Manager it shows CPU current usage fluctating between 1% - 2 %, Commit charge 494m / 1250M I am constantly getting a whirring sound. At this time my Zone Alarm is doing a scan.
This occurrence happens on a regular basis and not necessarily when a program which uses more cPU is active. Incidentally it shows Processes as 40.
Please bear with me as my knowledge in such matters is very limited.

Perhaps a possible cause for this irregularity might be suggested and is there a way to correct said happenings.

Will be glad to provide any further information which might be of use.

Tks

[cauzomb]

Try removing the disc from the cd-rom.

[xonk]

Hi Cauzomb

Problem not yet resolved.
To be honest with you, due to limited knowledge as far as hardware is concerned, I am still in the dark and as a last resort will have to acquire somewith experience to take a closer look.
I opened up PC and no wiser as to exactly where the noise originates. All I can say at this stage is that the fan is constantly running even though CPU usage varies between 1% upwards. It is forever fluctuating.

Will let you know in due course how things turn out.

Tks

[cauzomb]

Sounds like you are looking in the right places. Have you been able to determine which part is making the noise?

Listen closely to the cd-rom/dvd-rom drive, as well as the cooling fans, and or the hard drives.. Also when the PC is powered down/off inspect the cooling fans for foriegn objects, a moth, slip of paper, dust bunny etc.

Most new hardware has fan control based on built in temperature monitors that will kick the fans into hi speed mode when the temps get hi enough, but generally, when the PC is powered on, the fans will be on. I doubt it's related to CPU usage but if it is based on temperature, and is a fan kicking into hi, it would probly happen when the system is loaded enough to heat up the processor/chipset/videocard etc..

Sometimes it helps to cup both your hands behind your ears to give you somewhat directional hearing. Then turn your head/hands towards each part while you listen for the noise.

[xonk]

Hi

Your comments taken on board. Furthermore, did what you suggested but to no avail. Having said that, since yesterday, I noticed that there has been a remarkable improvement, in that this whirring sound has decreased considerably. I have no idea how or what has caused the noise abatement.

In the meantime I downloaded a program which shows up lots of events on my PC. I am sending a screenshot of one such finding. To the trained eye you will more than likely be able to decipher the contents. The detailks refer to Voltage, Temperature and fans

Hopefully it remains as it is at this moment of replying.

Xonk

[cauzomb]

I can view that image now that I got attatchments working; from the items listed, it looks like cpu temps are in the upper ranges for the hardware, do you remember how hot it was in the room that the PC is in when the noises were occuring, compared to now that they aren't as loud?

[xonk]

Hi

Do not want to commit regarding temp but it is certainly nowhere near the temp mentioned in screenshot. At a guess I would say perhaps 15 deg or maybe a touch higher.
The noise level continues to be acceptable in comparison to what it was when
thread was first posted.
I forgot to mention the sound was very noticeable when certain progs appeared to be running. E.G. Windows Defender, ZoneAlarm scanning, Spybot and Ad-aware. Also it was very noticeable when svchost.exe showed high cpu usage. Apart from ZoneAlarm, I decided to schedule Windows Messenger, Spybot and Ad-Aware at certain times which might be the best idea. As far as svchost.exe is concerned, not knowing anything about it, won't touch because this appears to run upon mostly on startup.
In a nutshell, this whirring sound is a lot quieter.

tks

P.S. before perhaps putting a close to this thread can you explain what exactly are the workings of the svchost.exe file

[S Templar]

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/svchost.htm
Most if not all svchost processes are needed for Window to operate correctly.
On the odd occasion a virus can be listed as svchost but that is an odd occasion,so no real need to worry.
Check link above for more info.

[xonk]

HI Guys

During the last days, on a regular basis to I made a positive to really delve into when this sound is most prevalent and have come up with the solution that it is only occurring when certain progs are running. E.G. Windows Defender, Zone Alarm Scans, Ad-Aware, Spybot S&D as well as when one of the Svchost.exe entries showing up in the Task Managaer as being high in CPU Usage. Outside of these, this noise more or less is non existent.

In view of this have decided to bring this thread to an end from my point of view.

Thanks to all for their input.
Xonk