exact same problem here, I contacted Dell again and they sent me another fan (from a refurbished system I suppose since it was very dusty), this (the third) fan was even louder, so I put the second one back and am now unhappily tolerating the noise. Please let me know if you were able to resolve the problem. i don't know if i should contact Dell again for a fourth fan?!?!

tobias

I must suffer from the same problem as you guys. High-pitched noises of any kind drive me crazy. I really love this computer and I hate to rant about something as seemingly trivial as fan noise. I don't think another replacement will be much help. I might try to find some kind of enclosure to put around the tower, like a printer stand, etc. Unfortunately my desk doesn't have one. Thanks for the replies ... misery loves company! LOL