My computer has started making strange sounds. Right now it sounds like someone is using a gas powered leaf blower, only not so loud. Maybe a leaf blower down the street. It also sounds like the leaf blower is running out of gas. It sputters a bit before making a strained whining sound again. This can't be good. So, if you guys don't see me around, it's cuz my computer has died.

Can you tell what part of the computer the noise is coming from? Pull the side of the computer off and check the case fans and the CPU fan. It could also be the power supply.

I think its a fan, hard to tell which one, tho. Then again, my computer is so cramped, it may be the hard drive. I can't tell for sure. When I shut the computer down and start it back up, it takes a minute or so for the sound to start, but the fans start right away.

I went through two CD drives that made similair noises before they died. And my comp did the same thing, " it takes a minute or so for the sound to start" After starting it. I hope its not your hard drive.

Unplug your HD and cd drives and turn your computer on. It won't boot up, but just leave it on for a bit to see if it still makes the noise.

Uh, oh. Now I'm really worried. The noise stopped...

Guess it's not the hard drive, lol.

What did you unplug to get the noise to stop.

Nothing. It just went away until I started playing COD2. Then it started up again. I haven't unplugged anything yet. That sounds too much like making an effort.

you just trying to get a new comp!!!!

Yeah, but I can't afford one, so it's a bad deal all around, lol. I'll try unplugging things tomorrow. If it's the hard drive I'm not too worried. I've got all my important things backed up on an external right now. And hard drives are the cheapest things going. So if I'm out, I won't be out for long if it's the hard drive.

By chance, are you running an EMachine???

Sounds to me that it is probalby the cd-rom or power supply. It could also be a fan inside (really cheap to fix--$5 or so on newegg). Hard drives usually make a clicking noise when they go bad but not always. Either way, hard drive or CDRom-you are looking at less than $50 to fix.

Follow Black's advice to pinpoint what it is before it gets too bad and ruins everthing.