Gaming Strange noise coming from inside PC

[scrtmstr]

Hey guys,
It's been a while since I've posted on here, but I've got a (serious) issue right now..
In the past couple of days, my pc has been running as usual (about 7 hours a day), being mostly used for internet browsing/downloading and office work.
Now, whenever it's running, occasionally, it makes this squeaky noise. It started with a very short squeak, then they became longer. The last one lasted for around 5 seconds.

Now this had got me worried. I've already checked the fans, and they are working fine, no noise coming from them. The CD drive is also silent, and is not being used now.
So really the only thing left is the hard drive. But could that be it? I really can't afford to lose all my files and my pc, because I've got my exams coming up fast.

Any help is appreciated!

PC specs:
Packard bell Imedia 5701
CPU: Intel Core I3 530 2.93Ghz
GPU: Nvidia G315 512mb
HDD: not sure, but it seems like it's a western digital 580GB

 

[Originality]

Fans are the first guess. PSU and graphics card my second. HDD my last guess, but I doubt the HDD is capable of squeaking.

Are you sure it's coming from your PC?

EDIT: To explain, the PSU and GPU can cause a squeeling sound when there's a problem with the power phasing (e.g. not enough power supplied, or power overdrawn). HDDs make a variety of clicking sounds, but I've never even heard of them squeeling before, even in the days when 1GB was considered massive. Fans are the most likely suspect for squeeking sounds, as they frequently need cleaning - especially the CPU fan (if it's stock Intel).

Something I did forget to mention though, a CD/DVD drive is known for chirping sometimes when reading (if the disc spinning vibrates a bit) or if the header makes contact with the disc (the definition of coastering is when exactly that happens - it leaves scratches and makes the disc unreadable eventually, something that has plagued Xbox 360 for a looooooooong time).

 

[DarkStriker]

Fans are the first guess. PSU and graphics card my second. HDD my last guess, but I doubt the HDD is capable of squeaking.

Are you sure it's coming from your PC?

HDD made for server PC makes lot of sound. Had one myself and damn it made some noise

 

[Walker D]

Certainly a ghost living there

 

[Rife]

A DVD in the drive being coastered?

 

[thieves like us]

if the sound is persistant, then you should be able to isolate where it's coming from. if it is the hdd, then you might want to back up your system in case it decides to lock up on you. more than likely it is a fan (many fans will squeak/squeal a bit if they get slightly out of balance. try cleaning all of the fan blades, removing any dust build up and see if the noise persists.

 

[exangel]

There's also the possibility it's a thermal alarm, my motherboard alarms make squeaks.
Ive only heard them while doing stress testing during overclocking stuff.. but even a perfectly clean, unmodified, well cared-for system, can start failing with overheating being one possible symptom.

There are things other than temperature that can set off an alarm, you would have to go into your BIOS to see your PC Health Status in case alarms are actually set.

 

[scrtmstr]

Thanks for all the replys guys
I'm sure it's coming from inside my pc.
The inside of my PC is pretty clean, very little dust inside the case, and nothing obscuring the fans.
It's definetly not the fans, they're always running normal and make no noise at all. The GPU is often under heavy stress (lots of video editing, games etc)
I've also checked the temperatures when I've been running for quite a while, and the temperature never gets above 40C on the CPU.
The CD/DVD drive could be it, but I never use it, and there is nothing in there, so that would be a bit strange.

 

[philip11]

It's the Hard Drive ours does that nothing is wrong with it though I would not worry.

 

[Originality]

DVD: If there's nothing in it, it won't spin up so it won't make a sound. One possibility ruled out.
GPU: Most likely possibility in my guess. You mention video editing, which will strain the GPU, and the power phasing is what I'd expect to start to fail after a while.