P4 Heatsink fan

[Markoman01027]

Hey all,

My P4 Heatsink Fan is making like a buzzing noise every few seconds. I have turned off all case fans, and I do still hear the noise from the P4 Heatsink fan.
There is no cables near the Heatsink fan, so it's not a cabling problem. I think it is just a bad HSF.
I bought this CPU retail from Newegg.com and I do not want a new CPU or heatsink, just a new CPU fan. Is it possible to replace the HSF from a retail HSF that came with the box, with the same one, but a new one? Anybody have instructions for this? TIA.

P.S- The noise happened after a week or so. System is silent, but the buzzing noise every few seconds or so tends to get annoying.

Not sure this is normal, but my friend has a HP and a P4 and he said he is getting the samething.

If I only knew how to take apart the damn lock mechanism to take out the cpu fan.

[mr_spider3]

it could be that the heatsink fan wasnt installed right.

[Markoman01027]

You really can't install the heatsink fan wrong on a P4, as it comes built into the heat sink mechanism.

[mr_spider3]

just a guess.

[mr_spider3]

ive heard about it happening, and just thought that might be it.

[Markoman01027]

Thank you for your help. It just seems that everytime I build a computer, I am somehow always stuck with noise :-\. I mean, it's no big deal because it cools the CPU pretty well actually, just the noise gets annoying once in a while.

Just cerious if it could just be bad ball bearings? I just wish I knew how to take out the CPU fan, kinda like how you take off those Athlon CPU fan's.

Does anybody know instructions on how to just take out the CPU Fan from the mechanism?

[Cricket]

Have you tried oiling the fan?

Cricket

[Markoman01027]

Cricket, mind if you explain to me how to od that? Also, do you know how to take out the CPU fan without taking out the heatsink. If you can, that'd be great so I can oil it.

It is weird. For a few weeks, the CPU fan was running fine, and all of a sudden it started making that noise. I did not touch the case at all or anything like that.
TIA.

[Cricket]

I don't have a P4 HSF at the moment (I don't own anything that fast and I'm not building a computer right now), but try peeling back the Intel holographic sticker to see if the fan bearing is under there. If it is, put a drop of oil on it and see if the noise goes away.

Cricket

[Markoman01027]

Is it safe to do this while Heatsink is on CPU on motherboard?

[Cricket]

I think it would be safe to do it with the heatsink still assembled on the motherboard...I know I would do it like that.

Cricket

[Panama Red]

If you want a nice tool to apply light oil in small places, pick up a needle type oiler for fishing reels. Any good sporting goods store should have them.

[Markoman01027]

Sounds good..thank you..now I just peel off the sticker and put some oil inside? or is there a specific place?

[Cricket]

On my stock PII heatsink/fan, I peeled back the sticker and could see the bearing and oiled it. I'm not sure if that's what you'll see when you peel back the sticker on the P4 HSF. When you peel it back you'll know right away if the bearing is accessible or not.

Cricket

[Markoman01027]

Do I just put some oil inside the hole when I peel off the sticker? Now, once I put some oil in there, do I just let it settle in or can I turn on PC after this procedure?

May need to get a new Heatsink/CPU fan combo from INTEL. But here is my question. I do not like taking my computer apart if there is nothing wrong with it. But ... I just want to get the noise away if the oil does not do it, so here is my question..is it safe to install the P4 heatsink while the motherboard is mounted? Motherboards are pretty durable.

TIA.

[Cricket]

Originally posted by Markoman01027 Do I just put some oil inside the hole when I peel off the sticker?

Yeah, just a drop or two right on the spindle.

Originally posted by Markoman01027 Now, once I put some oil in there, do I just let it settle in or can I turn on PC after this procedure?

You can turn on your computer right after you oil the fan...just make sure you cover the hole with the sticker again.

Originally posted by Markoman01027 May need to get a new Heatsink/CPU fan combo from INTEL. But here is my question. I do not like taking my computer apart if there is nothing wrong with it. But ... I just want to get the noise away if the oil does not do it, so here is my question..is it safe to install the P4 heatsink while the motherboard is mounted?

Sure, the cam-lock levers make it easier to get the heatsink on and off and there's less downward pressure placed on the motherboard. Should be fine.

Cricket

[Markoman01027]

I had to put some pressure on the clips to lock in, but not the heatsink..is that OK?

[Cricket]

Originally posted by Markoman01027 I had to put some pressure on the clips to lock in, but not the heatsink..is that OK?

If your computer is running okay, then all is well.

Cricket