intermittent rattle from computer

Question

I have a Dimension XPS T500MHz with about 40 days left on the warranty. For awhile I have been hearing a loud rattle from the tower but it is very random in when it happens and how long it lasts. I contacted support and ran the DELL HDD confidence test they recommended and it came back okay. The next time I contacted support they said it is probably one of the fans and that I will need to take the cover off and figure out which fan it is. I am hesitant to do this as I have a 3 year old and a crawling/exploring 7 month old (I'm worried the inside will get damaged) and am not very technical. Also, the tower is in a computer desk and very hard to pull out. Is this the only way?

Also, they said it couldn't be the hard drive because if it was it would make the noise all the time. Is that correct?

They said they have to verify which part it is before they can send a technician. Under the warranty could I insist they just send someone out anyway? Would he have to hear the rattle to diagnose?

Any other suggestions to try?
Thanks
runningmomma

Bob11 · Answer

Yeah, if it was the hard drive it should make noise pretty much all the time. You'd also get significantly more and more errors accessing the disk. If you've never had the cover off it may be dust on one of the fan blades getting it out of balance. I try to open mine and blow the dust out about every 6 months (of course I live in Texas, the birth place of dust) If you have the 3 year on-site, don't want to take the cover off, and are really worried about it then yes, insist that someone look at it. You paid for the warranty, use it!

Cowboy Wisdom:
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- Bob -
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rickmktg · Answer

Just push the fact that you're not comfortable taking the cover off, that you don't want the children to get shocked, etc. and insist they send a tech.

Rick

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NVRambo · Answer

Suspects: Chassis Fan, Power Supply Fan, Hard Disk, or Video Card fan (if your card has one).

It's probably the chassis fan as someone has mentioned, or a lesser chance of it being the power supply fan - both can get very dusty.

Getting the cover off is really pretty easy, while getting the 3 year-old to stay behind a safety gate is not.

I suspect if you call on this, they're going to suggest pretty strongly that you open the case during the phone call...

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intermittent rattle from computer

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