Aurora Fan/Liquid Cooling Making a Humming Noise

Ya, I put my hand over every possible vent on the machine but the noise pitch never changed. 

All who have this issue -

We would like to capture a PC for testing. In exchange, we will send you a like for like PC.
* The way this will work is we will setup a full system exchange
* You will receive via email the Dispatch number and also a Return Airbill to get us the original PC
* When you get the replacement PC, send us the original one
* Do not make any changes to the operating system
* Backup your personal data to a DVD or USB hard disk drive. Do not format the hard disk drive
* When we are done testing, we will Fdisk/Format the hard disk drive so you do not need to worry about any of your information that is on it

* If this is acceptable to you, I need the following information sent to me via a private message -
Name:
Email Address:
Shipping address:
Phone number:
PC Service Tag number:
Reason: Capture reason, humming noise
http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19334801.aspx

Chris,

Is the replacement like for like pc going to be brand new factory fresh? If not, is there any way i can get a replacement liquid cooling kit/fan combo?

Well, I am almost positive it was my graphics card now.  Like I said earlier it went from making a humming noise to a loud screeching noise the other night.  Almost sounded like a huge electric saw in wood shop class or something.  Best way I can think to describe it.

After removing the side panel numerous times to try and pin point the noise it definitely sounded like it was coming from the center where the graphics card was.  I called tech support and they had me check a few things, including removing the card and cleaning it.  I did this and it was still making the sound.  After about a half hour we came to the conclussion it had to be the graphics card. 

I was over nighted a new one and stuck it in this morning.  So far so good.  No humming noise, no screeching, nothing.

Thanks for the update!

To update everyone, the horrible buzzing/humming noise was coming from the liquid cooling assembly rad fan. Dell sent me a new assembly with a fan that was quiet at first but now is starting to buzz/hum. So hopefully third time's the charm...

I wish they could just send me a 120mm case fan instead of the entire liquid cooling assembly. The entire problem is just one fan hahha.

Well I got my computer less than a month ago and have noticed the humming noise right from the beggining. It is not loud, but sounds like a transformer hum and or a fan that is stuck and will make the same sound. As with all the other posts, have taken the cover off to try to locate the noise and no luck, very hard to isolate.

Did read the post about sending the computer back for another brand new one, but that seems like a lot of work just to find the fan that is doing it. I appreciate the fact Dell will do this, but that is costing them lots of money (transforming into higher price for computer for all when buying new) and if we get the new one and the noise persists, then what? 

Anyway, will live with it till it gets worse and or find the problem. Hopefully Dell will eventually find the problem and issue a fix for it.

Could those who have the buzzing/humming noise record the sound and post here please?  (by uploading the file to Rapidshare or similar)   I have been experiencing this same issue ever since receiving my Aurora and would like to compare my sounds with those of others.  I believe it's from my liquid cooling assembly but as others have stated, it's difficult to isolate.

I've recorded the noise, you can send me your email address and I'll attach the sound clip and send it to you. The best way I can describe it is that it sounds like an electric shaver (hair buzz clippers). And if the liquid cooling fan is in fact the culprit, the noise intensity should not change whether you have the side panel on or off because it comes from the fan grille at the back of the system.

All I have to say is that I'm on my 3rd liquid cooling assembly and it seems to be ok so far. I really enjoy the computer, so hopefully I don't have to go through a third replacement, because if that's the case, I will ask for my money back. My advice to you is to keep replacing the cooling until you get a quiet one. Because they're out there, and having to live with a buzzing computer that costs 2k + is unacceptable.

Oh and make sure when you're replacing the liquid cooling to really tighten down the cpu pump to the motherboard until you can't twist the screws anymore. My original liquid cooling pump came from the factory not very flush with the cpu... I know this because when I removed it to replace, the cpu chip had a small corner area worth of thermal paste on it (meaning uneven contact). The newest pump keeps my cpu at 65 degrees under max load with overclock setting 1 loaded. That's almost a 10 degree difference from my first one!

Since most of us have 7200 or 10000 rpm drives, make sure it's not the harddrives. If you have 2 or more HDD installed, you also sometimes get a harmonic vibration going.

The Aurora uses the same HDD caddies from the XPS and OptiPlex (same for many years now). Installing 4 pieces of high-temp automotive double-sided foam tape at the screws is a known fix. Too bad they never re-designed them to use 4 rubber grommets.

Hi everyone,

Sorry to jump in but I just got my Alienware Aurora here in Brazil and I am having what seems to be the same issue. Just wanted to know if anyone was able to solve it without a major replacement... maybe the noise I am hearing is normal...

I posted a short (unlisted) video of the noise I am hearing on the link below. Any ideas what it could be?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7yhRswQMzk

Thanks,

RKaram

Rkaram,

For my notes, send me the service tag number via a private message.

Chris.......help! My Aurora is just 5 days old and I just started getting this humming noise 2 days ago. A whopping 3 days after delivery. In any event, I did as suggested and covered vents to adjust pitch.....eh voila, as soon as I cover the vent directly behind the liquid cooling unit the pitch changes, and almost disappears as though I'm dampening it. As soon as I remove my hand from the vent, back to the normal annoying humming sound....needless to say it's the unit or fan behind it, causing the humming.

Please advise what I have to do to get a replacement unit, or some other alternative measure to take.

Can you post a picture of where your hand is covering?