G4 Fan noise

Robbe_Gibson · #1 03-15-2004, 12:34 PM

Hi,
I have a 9 month old G4 MDD 1.25SP . A couple of weeks ago, the fan as gone from relatively quiet to about the same as a low-speed hair dryer. When started from cold, after an hour or so, the speed slowly ramps up.

Anyone else encounter this? I gather fans are an issue with these things. What turned out to be the solution or did you get the 'they all do that' answer.

Thanks for any answers.

ChristerRosewell · #2 03-15-2004, 09:41 PM

Never heard of there is a problem with the fans in the G4's - I have two of them - one a dual 1.2 and the other an 800 - they are always on - I never shut them off and in all the time I've had macs - since 1984 - I've never had a fan go bad on me - that said, I've had a few drives start making noises after a few years and with them as with a fan it is the bearings that are starting to go - just like sometimes happens with a car - all you have to do is replace the fan (since you can't replace the bearings on the fan) and you're OK again - should cost you less than $20 - but didn't you say it's only 9 months old? If so you still have the warranty, right?..

Christer

Duane_Kilby · #3 03-22-2004, 09:20 PM

Hi Robbe.

Actually the G4 MDD boxes are nicknamed "WINDTUNNEL" for their tendancy to go into what I call "hairdryer mode," especially if booted into OS9. Apple released a firmware update that helped in some situations, (see here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120171) They also had a "free" (customer paid shipping) powersupply/fan replacement program for systems that seemed not to respond to the firmware update. I think that program is over, but if indeed this system is 9 months old and purchsed from an authorized dealer, take it back to them. They will be aware of the issue.

Duane

Larry_Dawge · #4 03-25-2004, 10:23 PM

Do you keep it on the ground? If so I would check under the front bottom handle behind the air vents. There is a port where air gets sucked in to cool down the computer. I found that after about 6 months the fans were so noisy I couldn't stand it. Finaly after looking into some solutions I checked under the front to see if I could install some small fans and found that the airway was clogged with dust bunnies forcing the fans to rev up to the highest rpm to pull enough air to cool down the CPU. Just a thought...

Larry

Robbe_Gibson · #5 03-27-2004, 12:49 AM

I do have it on the floor. and I thought about that possibility. When I opened the case, I didn't see any vents or filters except the black foam wrapped around the fan. How do you find / clean these vents?

Thanks for the suggestion.

Larry_Dawge · #6 03-31-2004, 05:38 PM

To find the vent, look on the outside of the front of the computer, you will see 4 vents that look like scoops. If you lift the computer up and look just under the front leg/handle there is a oval shaped hole in the grill cover allowing you to see behind the front plastic cover. This is where I found the dust build up. There is no filter there only a metal grill with holes drilled in it. If there is anything that looks like a filter there it is most likely dust bunny build up or DBB as I like to refer to it. Hope this helps.

Larry

dennis_Beins · #7 03-31-2004, 07:44 PM

I have the same computer, and its noiser than He??, I believe that I was sent an upgrade option by email or I saw it on their web site, you could get a new fan if you paid the $19. shipping fee or you could send your computer in and they would do it but that was a lot more money, I didn't take advantage of the offer cause it didn't bother me that bad, some days it does, check apples site and you should find some info on it