Does this happen to anyone else?

[radio1_mike]

My GeForce 5600FX w/256MB fan whines upon boot up. It stops after (or should I say usually?) when I hit the Logon screen for Windows XP.

The card does not lock up or have any problems... I also have a new Antec 430W Power Supply present.

Should I be alarmed at all??

I don't have/experience that, but it sounds like you might just need a new fan for it.

[shawshank62]

give it a dusting also....if you dont dust it for a while, it can get clogged....but i doubt that is your problem.

[radio1_mike]

Hmmm...

How easy is it to change a fan on a video card???




No, really, some help here!

Should be fairly easy.

Do you have a pic of it? Does it have the 'OTES' cooling thing on it, or just a HSF on the GPU?

If the latter, then a pair of needle nose pliers can be used to pinch the plastic pins on the back of the card so they can be pushed through.

After the pins are loosed, put the card in the freezer, this will allow you to GENTLY pry the HSF off the GPU. Now, I've used a hair dryer, but I've heard that might now work. I've done it twice w/ a hair dryer and not messed up the card. I don't have the patience for the freezer trick.

With the HSF off, it's just a matter of getting a replacement.

[radio1_mike]

Evil Rick-

I am not sure what exactly you mean by 'OTES'... But, if it means: one of those oversized tear-dropped shaped heatsinks with an integrated fan-- why yes it does.

I will pick up some canned air today to see if that helps.

OTES - Outside Thermal Exhaust System

I'm gonna poke around to see if I can't find some destructions on how to remove it. I ain't fancy enough to have one o'them there new fangled jobbies.

EDIT -

With the removal of four screws on the back side of the card, the cross shaped retention clip was removed and the OTES system slid out easily.

From Hot Hardware

[radio1_mike]

OH!

No, Evil Rick, mine does not have a vacuum cleaner on it. Just one of those larger (surface-area) channelled heat-sinks...

I tried looking for a picture, but can't find one of my card...
(PNY 5600FX)

[tony_j15]

Sometimes, a whining fan can mean that its starting to give out. But I have fans that whine for a while on bootup, never had a problem with them. I'd say keep your eye on it for a while, but dont start worrying yet.

Like this one ?