| Computers and peripherals are noisy beasts, from the | | | | Keep these devices well away, and/or the speakers |
| clack of keyboards, to the whirr of cooling fans, hum | | | | turned off. |
| andwhine of drives and motors, and vibration of | | | | 8/ You can reduce the sound overall with the Volume |
| chassis and panelling. | | | | Control, (whether you use speakers or headphones) or |
| This can interfere with your concentration, and cause | | | | mute the Windowssound files that you hear when you |
| irritation and stress. | | | | carry out virtually any task on a PC - see Windows |
| Unfortunately, the latest PC models are often noisier, | | | | Help. (Click on a blank area of the |
| because the extra processing power requires extra | | | | Desktop, press F1 key, then use 'Search' facility or |
| heat removalhence more powerful fans. | | | | 'Index' in the top bar. Look for 'Sounds and Audio |
| However, in older models, parts gradually wear and | | | | Devices'. Followthe instructions) |
| loosen, creating ever more annoying computer | | | | 9/ Most computer systems have power management |
| background noise. | | | | features. Again look at 'Help'. |
| The World Health Organisation recommends an | | | | You can reset the 'Standby'(low power - won't save |
| ambient noise floor (background noise level) of | | | | data) or ''Hibernation'(low power - automatically saves |
| 35dB(A) so we can speakand hear easily, and not | | | | data) features ,so that the computer will slow right |
| have to struggle 'filtering out' background noise. | | | | down after a period of inactivity. |
| Most of us don't mind some sound in the background, | | | | This will definitely save power and help reduce the |
| but please, not this endless distracting machine noise! | | | | noise level of the PC when not immediately in use. |
| Sadly, it seems unlikely that manufacturers will be | | | | 10/ If you have a tower type PC, store the tower on |
| producing silent computers until they are driven to it. | | | | the floor below you, making sure it isn't an obstruction, |
| You can buy 'noiseless' computers, but at present they | | | | and air cancirculate around it. Buy extension cables if |
| are bulkier and much more expensive than standard | | | | you need to. |
| 'noisy' | | | | All the sound reducing equipment mentioned above is |
| PCs, and may also require specialist installation. | | | | readily available off the Internet, or locally. |
| Therefore, here are 10 cheap and easy tips for | | | | If you have a little more money or are buying |
| reducing PC noise:- | | | | computers, here are a few more options. |
| 1/ Place your PC on a hard reasonably thick surface. | | | | You can buy new replacement PC cases designed to |
| Angle the back (where the noisy cooling fans are | | | | be quiet.They may be acoustically lined tocut sound or |
| situated) awayfrom you if you can. | | | | constructed so you can do away with any internal |
| 2/ Make sure the PC is standing level and flat on its | | | | fans and so reduce noise |
| feet. | | | | Keyboard noise can be particularly wearing. Pick a |
| Mount the feet on a firm rubber base or rubber foot | | | | model with the keys touch dampened. |
| supports to deaden any vibration. | | | | Consider a quality second hand or reconditioned model. |
| 3/ Fix acoustic noise dampening pads on the walls | | | | Do you really need high processing powercreating |
| around the PC. Concentrate on surfaces near it, that | | | | more background noise? Alternatively consider lower |
| might amplifyor reflect sound. | | | | specification models, with (probably) smaller quieter |
| You may also consider acoustic foam pads to block | | | | fans. |
| any unused disc bays, this will also reduce internal | | | | Ask for computers that comply with international noise |
| volume and promotecooling. | | | | reduction standard ISO 9626. If it also quotessound |
| 4/ Make sure outer panels aren't loose, and nothing is | | | | pressure levels, this is a fair way of comparing the |
| touching the PC casing. | | | | noise outputs of different PCs. |
| Bind any dangling cables into bundles with plastic | | | | Additionally, have a couple of new models run for you |
| coated wire ties or plastic cable tidies. | | | | in the showroom. preferably in a quieter area. |
| 6/ Have your PC serviced and internally cleaned at | | | | Or maybe you can get a home demonstration. All |
| least annually.Dust build-up inside a PC can cause fans | | | | other things being equal, go for the quietest PC. |
| to becomelouder, as well as being a potential source | | | | Whatever you plan, don't suffer- experiment to create |
| of allergen creation and early computer failure. | | | | a more silent PC environment. |
| 7/ Speakers often give out noises especially if other | | | | Remember, less PC noise can only boost your healthy |
| electronic devices like cell phones (mobiles) or baby | | | | computing through 2006 and beyond! |
| monitors are near. | | | | |