MMM-A

Noisy power supply fans are more of an annoyance than anything else. I'm reminded of the old adage:

• If you don't like the noise the car makes, turn the radio up!

That must be a fairly old power supply (although new ones DO sometimes have problems, too).

These 'muffin fans' (as they're called) have sealed bearing and cannot be lubricated. You have 3 options:

1) ignore it (see above)
2) change way the bearing is sitting (see below)
3) replace the fan

To change the way the bearing is sitting try tilting the computer slightly (put an old computer magazine or CD case under the back of the machine). This will often quiet a noisy bearing for a while - but it'll likely make noise again soon.

If it's REALLY an annoyance, replace the fan. (If you don't feel comfortable enough with replacing the fan - replace the whole power supply. They're in the $35 to $50 range these days.) Muffin fans come in standard sizes - you just need to measure it and read the markings on the old fan as to voltage it uses (some power supplies run the fan on the AC voltage, some run on 5, 12 or 24 VDC). I've found what I needed to replace fans on the shelf at Fry's Electonics (a local computer supply store - one that'll have replacement supplys, too - will probably have what you need.) Remove the old, install the new, solder/tape the connections (observe polarity if its a DC fan!) and you'll have peace and quiet again!

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot - the fans usually have marked on them the direction of airflow. Make sure you install it so air flows the right way!