What’s that buzzing noise?

One of your file servers has started making a loud buzzing sound. The buzzing doesn’t ever stop, and it sounds like a game show buzzer when you get a question wrong. What is the most likely cause of this noise?

A) The hard drive is faulty

B) An internal hardware sensor has identified a problem

C) The video hardware has failed

D) A Windows service has failed

E) The server is moonlighting as a lighthouse

The answer: B) An internal hardware sensor has identified a problem

Many servers and network devices include audible buzzers as a way to make you aware that a hardware problem has occurred. These buzzers are common on servers and other high-end devices, because a single outage can have far-reaching effects.

Want to know more? Watch “Hardware Issues.” Hardware issues can impact performance, cause application glitches, or render a PC completely unusable. In this video, you’ll learn how to identify hardware problems such as excessive heat, noise issues, and audible alerts.