[NCLUG] Whistling computer

[John L. Bass]

	I think it's an interface card (probably the video card) because it only
	starts (and immediately stops) after xscreensaver has been on for awhile...
	I think it has to do with going into a certain power saving mode.

	After I notice it, if I move the mouse, the authentication box for
	xscreensaver comes up and the 'whistling' (a sort of high pitched squeal...
	like when your monitor changes frequencies, only constant) stops.

	Has anyone seen this behavior before, and if so, found a solution?

	Later,
	Paul

Frequently the static eliminator on hard drives will make that kind of noise - it's
typically a carbon button on the bottom of the spindle to bleed off the static charge
on the platters before it arcs between head & platter. As the button wears it forms
a cup that will chatter the retaining spring at its harmonics - sometimes a buzz,
and sometimes a deafening high pitch tone. Anything that changes the mass of the button
and spring will change the resonate harmonic - and it will frequently be quiet for
awhile. Bubble gum, RTV, and silly putty have all been tried by various people with
varied degrees of success - none are long term sucessful fixes.

Sometimes, it's trash on the media itself, AKA a head crash ... which generally means
you can measure the remaining drive life in minutes or hours.

you can eliminate/detect head crash by scanning the surface with a utility that
prints block/cyl numbers and if it squeals at the same place ... then it's surface
related.

you can take the drive out and put your finger on the static button, and the noise
if it stops is clearly there. This noise is generally harmless, other than on your
nerves - you can cut the button away - and the drive will continue to operate for
quite some time. Plated media drives will not die very fast, sputtered media drives
will typically last another 3-4 months, maybe a year.

John