Squeaking Noise: Fixed!!!
Well after being nearly driven mad by this infuriating squeaking noise for a couple of weeks, I finally fixed it. 
Did I fix it by reinstalling the OS? No…
Did I fix it by upgrading the OS? No…
Did I find out it was some obscure software problem? No…
Did I send it back to Apple? Did I hell - no way I’m losing my primary workstation for 2 weeks just so they can replace a CPU fan.
Here’s how to fix it in 1 easy step (warning/disclaimer - this is not recommended, it may break your mac, invalidate your warranty or cause the sky to cave in, etc etc):
Rap the back of the Mac with your knuckles, about 3 or 4 inches above the USB ports.
That’s it! No cunning solution or workaround, just good old-fashioned physical violence. I got so annoyed by the squeak that I just gave it a whack one day as a last-ditch attempt, and the squeak stopped instantly. Came back a couple of hours later (but much quieter) - hit it again, stopped instantly. Came back once more a day later (very quiet) - hit it again, stopped instantly. It’s gone from squeaking every hour or so to not a single tiny squeak for two whole weeks (and counting).
Bliss
I guess that whack must have reseated the fan onto its spindle or something.
Now I like my Mac again…
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July 21st, 2006 at 4:25 pm
ha. fantastic.i really doubt that would invalidate your warranty.. it’s not like any AASP would know anyway
tops!
July 24th, 2006 at 5:57 pm
I’m pretty chuffed I must say!
I guess this trick would also work with the power off, which would probably be a better idea (knocking your Mac about with the hard drive spinning - not good!). Although doing it with the power on has the advantage of knowing that you’ve stopped the squeak straight away.
October 25th, 2007 at 6:50 am
Like training a dog not to bark, if you keep yelling and saying no, eventually the dog learns.
February 21st, 2008 at 10:34 am
my cpu fan was making a squeaking sound,so since it is an old pc,i opened
it up got so Q-tips and rubbing alcohol,took all the fans out and cleaned
all the dirt out that those cans of compress air missed,BTW you can get a
nice size box of Q-tips at your local dollar store for $1,07 heck it must be
about 900 Q-tips in the box,plus the are flexible and can get into very small
area’s,my old machine is 10 years old and still cranking,after the cleaning
the pc sounds like a brand new machine,this kind of cleaning takes time,
but it work fine,you should hear this old thing,just a whoosing sound,why
waste money on those pc tech,when you can do it yourself,
April 8th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Ha! It actually works!
Well, it’s not completely solve my problem - but it’s quieter at least
Just have to build the confidence to hit it hard enough!
April 8th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Glad it (sorta) worked for you, Joe! Beats calling Applecare doesn’t it.
May 4th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
It sounded like a mouse had invaded my computer. This fix seems to work well though.