It's almost been 3 years since I got my Area 51 ALX, just last night, a grinding sound started coming from the box, it's quite loud and annoying. I restarted the pc and it was still there. This morning I switched it on again, it was still making that noise. I opened the box, it was coming from the top left corner, just above the liquid cooling. I cleaned out the chassis, but the sound continued even after. I don't know what to do. Any help will be appreciated.
Hello mrameez
Sounds like it's something with ether the CPU cooling fan or the CPU cooling pump. Most likely it's the fan.
Try unplugging the fan and starting the system to see if the noise goes away but don't run it for more then a minute or so without the fan.
Turn the system off, unplug if from the wall and hold the power button down for 15sec. You will see a small black cable coming from the fan going to a small PCB board at the top rear of the system. Trace that wire and unplug it. Then turn the system back on and see if the noise is gone. Again, do not run the system without the fan. If noise goes away then you need to replace the fan. Just call Dell and they can sell you one.
If the noise does not go away then you can do the same to test the CPU pump. Follow the same steps but this time trace the cable coming from the CPU pump ( the one with the alien head logo on it ) to the same PCB board up top. Again do not run the system this way, it's only to test it. If the noise goes away then you need to buy the entire cooling system. Just call Dell for it.
Don't mean to be a bother, but could you send me a picture of what you are refering to, like which fan and how to unplug it. Please.
Not to be rude but it's something you really shouldn't play with if you need a picture to do it. It really can fry your system if you don't know what you are doing.
I would recommend taking it to a PC shop at this point. Better safe then sorry.
This is a grear help, I know what to do now, if there is a problem with the liquid cooling fan, can Dell replace it with my warranty, I have 2 months left till my warranty expires.
I'm glad to be of your help. Yes, if you are still within warranty we can still replace that for you. If you need a replacement send me an e-mail to AWSocialMedia@dell.com with your service tag and a brief issue description and we'll take care of it.
I have a couple of contacts in your area that would be able to assist you, I'll be glad to forward the information to them if you send me a private message with the following information:
morblore
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April 2nd, 2013 11:00
Hello mrameez
Sounds like it's something with ether the CPU cooling fan or the CPU cooling pump. Most likely it's the fan.
Try unplugging the fan and starting the system to see if the noise goes away but don't run it for more then a minute or so without the fan.
Turn the system off, unplug if from the wall and hold the power button down for 15sec. You will see a small black cable coming from the fan going to a small PCB board at the top rear of the system. Trace that wire and unplug it. Then turn the system back on and see if the noise is gone. Again, do not run the system without the fan. If noise goes away then you need to replace the fan. Just call Dell and they can sell you one.
If the noise does not go away then you can do the same to test the CPU pump. Follow the same steps but this time trace the cable coming from the CPU pump ( the one with the alien head logo on it ) to the same PCB board up top. Again do not run the system this way, it's only to test it. If the noise goes away then you need to buy the entire cooling system. Just call Dell for it.
mrameez
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April 4th, 2013 11:00
Don't mean to be a bother
morblore
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April 4th, 2013 16:00
Not to be rude but it's something you really shouldn't play with if you need a picture to do it. It really can fry your system if you don't know what you are doing.
I would recommend taking it to a PC shop at this point. Better safe then sorry.
mrameez
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April 5th, 2013 06:00
I
Alienware-L_Por
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April 5th, 2013 08:00
Here is a video tutorial on how to disassemble this machine.
[View:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgt9IX1ORuM]
Alienware-L_Por
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April 5th, 2013 09:00
I'm glad to be of your help. Yes, if you are still within warranty we can still replace that for you. If you need a replacement send me an e-mail to AWSocialMedia@dell.com with your service tag and a brief issue description and we'll take care of it.
mrameez
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April 5th, 2013 09:00
One
Alienware-L_Por
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April 5th, 2013 09:00
Sorry but no, at least not on my side. You would need to contact the South African support.
mrameez
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April 5th, 2013 09:00
One
mrameez
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April 5th, 2013 09:00
This is
mrameez
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April 12th, 2013 07:00
I
NataliaatAW
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April 12th, 2013 12:00
Hi mrameez,
I have a couple of contacts in your area that would be able to assist you, I'll be glad to forward the information to them if you send me a private message with the following information:
Name:
Phone number:
language:
Service tag:
System location:
E-Mail address:
issue: