Vostro 1400 buzzing noise.

Recently, my Vostro 1400 started making this weird buzzing noise that kind of sounds like an electric shaver or toothbrush. I've had it since October, and it never used to make this noise before. It sort of sounds like it's coming from the fan or at least that side of the laptop. It doesn't seem like the laptop's getting too much hotter, though it does stress out more during a start up.

The noise usually appears after moving the laptop or sometimes after accidentally hitting any part of it with an arm or elbow. It doesn't go away, and it's very very annoying. Startups and shutdowns (even temporary sleep modes after closing the lid) take longer to finish when this noise occurs. A shutdown does not get rid of it most of the time either, but apparently a whole night leaving it off will, but it's still vulnerable and seems to be pretty random.

I tried talking to Dell support, and they told me to run a Diagnostics to see if it's the fan. The Diagnostics said everything was fine, but I don't think it actually tested to see if the fan was okay. I might have done it wrong though (just hit F12 then run diagnostics right?)

Anyone ever have this problem or a similar one and know what to do?

 

With my nihil years of experience in the support department (lol) I'd say its the hard drive, as it occurs when you accidentally bump it. See if that's okay, otherwise ???

 

it's not the hard drive. i just checked...

if it means anything, the buzzing sound got worse when i opened up firefox

 

Ok, after running Diagnostics again (through custom settings) it IS the fan. It's going on high, and I don't know why. Anyone know how to fix?