iBook making weird noise - think it's the fan

Question

iBook making weird noise - think it's the fan

Hi, I've had this iBook for just over two years now, and lately it's been making a weird noise. Every so often something inside - I think it's the fan - will start making this sort of high whining whirring sound, then quiet down after a few minutes. It's not particularly tied to anything I'm doing, and will sometimes happen when I'm not doing anything. Also, I am using the computer on a normal desk, not in any situation which could lead to overheating, and the computer doesn't feel any hotter than usual.

I think the problem is getting more frequent over the past few months. I originally had 10.2 and I installed 10.4 when it came out, but I think the noise had already happened once before then, so I can't directly blame that. The computer has been running a little slower since I installed, though, and the trackpad has stopped working a few times lately.

Anyone have any suggestions what could be causing this, and is it just a nuisance or is it the first sign of the computer breaking down? If it needs repairing, where do I start? I'm very ignorant about hardware, so please try to explain simply! I do have a friend who can help me if at-home repairs are all that's needed, though.

iBook, Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Nov 27, 2005 10:29 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Nov 27, 2005 11:08 AM in response to Esther Kallen

Hi:

You say the sound is fan like. The fan in the iBook is very very small and if this fan-like noise you describe is loud I would doubt very much if its the fan - even if its losing its bearings. My first thought was that maybe you have left a CD or DVD in the computer as this will spin up periodically and can make a fairly loud fan-like noise. Check this and post back.

Some things to consider.

1. Use Disk Utility to repair file system permissions.
2. Think about re-installing Tiger 10.4
3. Use SuperDuper (Google this) to clone your internal HD to an external FW HD and boot system from this HD and check sound issue.
4. Boot using Apple's restore CD/DVD and check for the sound issue - sse your user document for details on how to do this.
5. Take computer to the local Apple Store genius bar and have them give you advice.
6. If computer still under warranty (new product 12 month or extended 3 yr warranty) call Apple Care and discuss issue with them.

Good luck and post back.

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 27, 2005 11:23 AM in response to BarryXSharp

Thanks for responding so quickly!

No, I haven't left anything in the drive. It is very different to the sound made by the DVD drive - not nearly so 'whooshy' and no sound of the disc grinding around, plus the noise happens even when there isn't a disc in.

I think the nearest large Apple Store is somewhere in London, which is not really an option for me! And unfortunately my computer isn't under warranty any more. I don't have access to an external HD, as nobody I know has one.

My 10.4 discs and restore discs are back at home, I can try them in a couple of weeks when I get home from college. Although I can't swear to it, I really think the noise started before I installed 10.4, but I suppose there's no harm in trying. In the meantime I might try the Disk Utility option - could you possibly explain a little more about what this process means and how to do it?

Message was edited by: Esther Kallen

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 27, 2005 11:38 AM in response to Esther Kallen

1. Double click "/Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility"
2. Highlight your HD name in left column
3. Below large right hand side window click on "Repair Disk Permissions"

This may take a few mins to complete - and don't worry too much about what gets spewed out in the large window.

When this completes terminate/quit the Disk Utility. Check for the noise and if not present then problem resolved.

It could be you need more RAM and because of this the system is paging out a lot of memory to your disk to make room for things you want off the disk. Paging data to/from disk can cause many disk clicking sounds. How much RAM is installed in your iBook ? You will need at least 512MB if you do much on your iBook - more RAM the better because some of the Applications released today needs gobs of RAM. How much free space remains on your HD ? How big is your internal boot HD ?

Reply

Answer 4

Nov 27, 2005 12:41 PM in response to BarryXSharp

Ok thanks, I'll back my files up and try that with Disk Utility. The noise isn't there all the time, so it might take a day or two to be sure whether it's gone or not.

The file info for my hard disk says 2.83GB available, it was originally a 40GB model. I think I have 256MB of RAM - I don't know what you define as 'doing much', I mostly use this computer for Word and Excel, watching DVDs, and Internet browsing. Not editing movies or anything like that. I have to say, the noise doesn't sound to me like a hard disk clicking, but maybe it sounds different for iBooks than for iMacs. It is a lot more high-pitched and faster than the noise from the hard disk on an iMac or Performa, and as I say, it often doesn't seem to be in response to any particular tasks the computer is doing.

Reply

Answer 5

Nov 27, 2005 1:06 PM in response to Esther Kallen

Just wanted to wish you good luck on this, hope you fix the problem.

Reply

Answer 6

Nov 27, 2005 1:39 PM in response to Esther Kallen

It could be Spotlight indexing your HD as you create or modify files. Your 256MB is a bit on the low side IMO and you should seriously consider adding a 512MB RAM module. The 2.83 GB of free space on your HD is dangerously small and I would do some serious house cleaning to rid yourself of unnecessary files/data.

My guess is that the noise is disk related because you have so little RAM and so little free HD space left.

Reply

Answer 7

Nov 27, 2005 2:27 PM in response to Susan Geiger

Thanks!

Reply

Answer 8

Nov 27, 2005 2:53 PM in response to Esther Kallen

Esther,

Have you ever done an Archive and Install of your OS? If so, you may have a Previous System folder on your hard drive taking up a lot of space. This can safely be deleted.

Some folks delete files regularly, but forget to empty the trash. It isn't gone (and doesn't free up space) until you empty the trash.

You may want to download Monolingual, which will allow you to remove unnecessary languages and foreign fonts. Most people recommend keeping around 5 gigs free to allow for smooth operating in Tiger.

Try booting into Safe Mode. This will take awhile longer than a normal startup because it does a file check and repair of the hard disk.

You will see your normal desktop. Once completely started up, restart normally, and go to Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility and repair permissions on the hard drive, as Barry has instructed above. (After repairing my hard drive via Safe Mode, I always repair permissions, even if I have done so recently.)

Hope you are on your way to a happier, quieter hard drive.

Reply

Answer 9

Nov 27, 2005 7:23 PM in response to Esther Kallen

If you leave your system up (active and sleep modes) for extended periods and also have Safari (or some other browser) running for as long as you have system up then the browser's memory can become very large and could very well exceed the physical RAM you have in your computer. If this is the case your disk will start to sound like a washing machine with bad bearings.

Reply

Answer 10

hictio

Level 1

85 points

Nov 27, 2005 8:00 PM in response to Esther Kallen

[quote]
Re: iBook making weird noise - think it's the fan
[/quote]

Maybe far fetched but, actually hearing the fan might be an event on an iBook...
I used to have an iBook @700 MHz, used it day in day out for close to 9 months and the only time I heard the fan running was when installed Tiger...Even tho I'm living in the tropics right now.

iBook G3 Mac OS X (10.4.2) 12" dual USB @700 MHz 20 GB HDD

Reply

Answer 11

Dec 2, 2005 12:37 PM in response to BarryXSharp

Hm - I have tried closing the browser periodically, as you suggest - it hasn't made a difference to the sound, but I think the computer is running faster. Which is nice.

Reply

Answer 12

Dec 2, 2005 12:38 PM in response to Susan Geiger

Thanks!

Reply

Answer 13

Dec 2, 2005 1:39 PM in response to BarryXSharp

Ok, as suggested by you and Ronda, I have booted into Safe Mode and then repaired the disk permissions. I also deleted a good few files and am now up to nearly 10GB available. However, it seems the noise is still going. Any more ideas, or will I have to take it to the store to get looked at?

Reply

Answer 14

lisajoy

Level 2

389 points

Dec 4, 2005 11:35 PM in response to hictio

I'm interested in this topic because my 800mhz 12" iBook has recently started a constant fan-whir type noise too. As far as describing the sound, it sounds like a hair dryer being used in nearby room. is that what yours sounds like to you? There is a high-pitched component to it but mine is more of a whir than a whine. It's not the cd drive, has no clicks, and does not vary.
It stops instantly if i put the iBook to sleep.
So how loud are these fans (or hard drives) supposed to be, and why would they suddenly start running/working constantly? I haven't changed anything. My iBook has 640MB RAM, 8GB of free HD space, and is running Panther, so it's not starving.

Reply

Answer 15

Dec 5, 2005 3:42 AM in response to lisajoy

It really sounds like your fan, lisajoy.

According to Apple's instructions for care and handling of the iBook:

For prolonged use, place your iBook on a flat, stable surface. The bottom of the iBook case functions as a cooling surface that transfers heat from inside the computer to the cooler air outside. The bottom of the case is raised slightly to allow airflow that keeps the unit within normal operating temperatures. In addition, the computer vents warm air from the back of the case.
Warning: Do not place your iBook on a pillow or other soft material when it is on, as the material may block the airflow vents, in particular the rear vents, and cause the computer to overheat.

Anytime the iBook's processor gets too warm the fan will come on to help cool it down. My fan has only come on three or four times in the two years I have had the iBook, so it is normally a rare thing.

Are all four of the rubber feet still intact on the bottom of your iBook? Sometimes if the feet are missing, it can cause it to overheat.

Reply