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Weird grinding noise from MacBook fans

maclover001

maclover001

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 25, 2008
895
0
Vancouver, Canada
Hey,
Loving the new(ish) MacBook :D

One thing though: For the first time, I used the MacBook in a quiet environment, and I noticed that a small grinding noise is coming from the fan. Kind of like it's rubbing against something. It's not causing any performance issues, it's just kind of annoying.

Do you know what the problem might be and if it can be fixed under warrenty? I'm super careful with all my electronic gadgets.

If I put my ear right up to the air vent under the "MacBook" logo, it sounds like there might be a speck of plastic caught in the fan or something...

Thanks in advance.
 
Are you sure there isn't a plastic cover over a vent? May sound stupid, but it happened before with a few people.

Anyway, if it is within the first two week period, you can take it back for a replacement. It is covered under Apple Care, and if you take it to your local Apple Store, they will repair/replace it for you.
 
MysticMage said:
Are you sure there isn't a plastic cover over a bent? May sound stupid, but it happened before with a few people.

Anyway, if it is within the first two week period, you can take it back for a replacement. It is covered under Apple Care, and if you take it to your local Apple Store, they will repair/replace it for you.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but what do you mean by "plastic cover"?

Thanks
 
maclover001 said:
Sorry, but what do you mean by "plastic cover"?

Thanks
Click to expand...

This little thing:

Macbook_blocked_vent.jpg
 
MysticMage said:
This little thing:

Macbook_blocked_vent.jpg
Click to expand...

Hmm I tried putting my fingers in there and I couldn't seem to pull out anything like that. How would I go about taking it out? Do MacBooks come with those as part of the packaging?
I installed smcFanControl and turned up the fan to maximum for a couple hours, hoping that would do something. Nothing changed though.

I have a recording of the fan noise. It's not that great, I recorded it with Photobooth, and used an old pair of speakers as a mic :p
http://154.20.93.77:8000/macrumors/Movie 29.wav

Thanks for all your help!
 
maclover001 said:
Hmm I tried putting my fingers in there and I couldn't seem to pull out anything like that. How would I go about taking it out? Do MacBooks come with those as part of the packaging?
I installed smcFanControl and turned up the fan to maximum for a couple hours, hoping that would do something. Nothing changed though.

I have a recording of the fan noise. It's not that great, I recorded it with Photobooth, and used an old pair of speakers as a mic :p
http://154.20.93.77:8000/macrumors/Movie 29.wav

Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...

No, not all do.

That is a very strange sound, assuming you're still covered under AppleCare, you may want to take it into the Genius Bar and see what they've got to say.
 
dude rihanna owns

Also, I'd be very wary of keeping a MacBook that sounded like that ever. I'd still consider having it looked at if you're under warranty.
 
fan was probably slightly off it's access. just needed to settle into place and find it's "groove" probably. have you seen UPS and FEDEX ship computers nowadays? They toss those things around like stuff animals at a carnival. Probably just got slightly knocked around... needed to run a while to settle back.
 
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