Noise from mainboard

I have an older MSI 865PE Neo2-LS mainboard, about 5 1/2 years
installed. About 2 years ago, I carelessly let it overheat, causing
the need to have the power supply and video card replaced. Earlier
this year, consistent boot problems required replacement of the hard
drive, CPU, and CD-ROM before they were corrected (probably related to
the earlier overheating).
Now I am experiencing an annoying whirring noise, which seems to vary
in pitch and intensity. Suspecting the case fans, I oiled them both
to no effect. The vibration seems to be coming from a device mounted
in the middle of the board with an aluminum grill-like cover with the
MSI logo and a power cord plugged into the mainboard, and a number of
colored sparkly lights observable within. I'd like to know what this
device does and whether it can just be unplugged. I'd appreciate any
enlightenment....
Portland Pete

Portland Pete wrote:
> I have an older MSI 865PE Neo2-LS mainboard, about 5 1/2 years
> installed. About 2 years ago, I carelessly let it overheat, causing
> the need to have the power supply and video card replaced. Earlier
> this year, consistent boot problems required replacement of the hard
> drive, CPU, and CD-ROM before they were corrected (probably related to
> the earlier overheating).
> Now I am experiencing an annoying whirring noise, which seems to vary
> in pitch and intensity. Suspecting the case fans, I oiled them both
> to no effect. The vibration seems to be coming from a device mounted
> in the middle of the board with an aluminum grill-like cover with the
> MSI logo and a power cord plugged into the mainboard, and a number of
> colored sparkly lights observable within. I'd like to know what this
> device does and whether it can just be unplugged. I'd appreciate any
> enlightenment....
> Portland Pete

This could be your board here.

http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=do...1&prod_no=543#

In this closeup picture, the thing in the center is the chipset fan
and cooler. Sometimes, that fan needs oil too. If it is a
standard size, then another 40mm fan could be fitted to take
its place. But the fan has an RPM sensor wire (it is a three pin
fan), so you'd want something similar to take its place.

http://www.msi.com/uploads/prod_4f16...5e4e22e800.jpg

For example, you could take the fan off this thing, and fit it to
your Northbridge heatsink. Your NBFAN header runs at 12V, so a
12V 40mm fan would be a possible replacement.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103155

Paul

On May 10, 7:40*pm, Paul <nos...@needed.com> wrote:
> Portland Pete wrote:
> > I have an older MSI 865PE Neo2-LS mainboard, about 5 1/2 years
> > installed. *About 2 years ago, I carelessly let it overheat, causing
> > the need to have the power supply and video card replaced. *Earlier
> > this year, consistent boot problems required replacement of the hard
> > drive, CPU, and CD-ROM before they were corrected (probably related to
> > the earlier overheating).
> > Now I am experiencing an annoying whirring noise, which seems to vary
> > in pitch and intensity. *Suspecting the case fans, I oiled them both
> > to no effect. *The vibration seems to be coming from a device mounted
> > in the middle of the board with an aluminum grill-like cover with the
> > MSI logo and a power cord plugged into the mainboard, and a number of
> > colored sparkly lights observable within. *I'd like to know what this
> > device does and whether it can just be unplugged. *I'd appreciate any
> > enlightenment....
> > Portland Pete
>
> This could be your board here.
>
> http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=do...ios&maincat_no....
>
> In this closeup picture, the thing in the center is the chipset fan
> and cooler. Sometimes, that fan needs oil too. If it is a
> standard size, then another 40mm fan could be fitted to take
> its place. But the fan has an RPM sensor wire (it is a three pin
> fan), so you'd want something similar to take its place.
>
> http://www.msi.com/uploads/prod_4f16...5e4e22e800.jpg
>
> For example, you could take the fan off this thing, and fit it to
> your Northbridge heatsink. Your NBFAN header runs at 12V, so a
> 12V 40mm fan would be a possible replacement.
>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103155
>
> * * Paul

Thanks so much! That surely does appear to be the device; I've
ordered the thing from NewEgg and we'll see how it does...
Portland Pete