my home computer's fan is not working anymore. can i still work with my computer without the fan working??

Question

computer is hp
6 years old
tried cleaning CPU

Answer 1

Yes, you can still work on it, but it is not good, because it will overheat and turn off. Fans are not expensive and they are easy to install.

Answer 2

If your referring to the CPU fan, I wouldn't use the computer till I replaced the fan. You may not be able to replace a 6 year old CPU because they aren't made any longer. A CPU fan is easy to replace and a heck of a lot cheaper! You may be able to get one from Radio Shack or Best Buy or Circuit City if you need the computer right away. If your not in a big rush, newegg.com or tigerdirect.com will be able to help you out. Just make sure that you get the fan that fits your processor. The process is fairly simple, remove the old CPU fan by unplugging it from the motherboard (note where you unplugged it from the new fan will need to be re-attached there). Clean the CPU with "contact cleaner" to remove the old thermal grease from it. Put a BB sized drop of new thermal grease (get this at Radio Shack, Best Buy, or Circuit City). Place the new fan atop of the processor and "wiggle" it a little to spread the thermal grease evenly on the CPU and on the bottom of the heat sink. Secure the fan properly to the motherboard and CPU and plug the power cable for the fan back into the motherboard, and your done!

Answer 3

Is it the only fan in the case? Some have two or more. If this is the only fan you can keep using the computer, but there's danger it will overheat and fry the rest of the computer. You may be safe if you just use it for short periods and power it down when it's not in use.

You really should replace the fan. It's easy. Open your case and take a look at the fan - they come in fairly standard sizes and just screw into the case. You can take it out and take it to a computer store and find someone to help you find a replacement, or look for one online someplace like tigerdirect.com or newegg.com. Measure it to figure out the size if you're shopping online. It should cost you less than $20 and take about five minutes to replace.

Answer 4

First try cleaning the fan. A can of compressed air and a damp cloth are good for doing this. That may get it going again, as they can get dirt built up and stop working.

If not, you will want to replace it. Without proper cooling, the computer will overheat and do damage to the system board ($100-$150) and/or the processor (another $100-$150). A fan will probably cost you less then $20.

Answer 5

Well... you can try to run it, but your computer might freeze or gives an error when CPU gets hot, especially when cpu is busy. If you observe abnormal behavior, don't try to run it. It might fry your CPU. If you can't find replacement fans, try to underclock the CPU. Say you have 500MHz system, run it at 300MHz. You may need to set the jumpers on the board or set in BIOS. Unless you have a specific reason to run the computer, I think it's time to get a new computer.

Answer 6

If you run it without the fan the processor will heat up and burn out. Shut the computer down until you can have it repaired. Most used computer shops can fix it for a reasonable amount of money.

Answer 7

Not a good idea. Good chance you'll fry the motherboard. The fan is installed actually in the power supply of the computer and a replacement is pretty cheap. It is pretty easy to swap out yourself too.

Answer 8

Not such a good idea because your CPU could heat up and BAM there goes your PC so the best thing to do is to replace the fan.

Answer 9

No,while your CPU and GPU should have separate fans of their own,they need help getting the heat out of the case.You can permanently damage these components if they are allowed to run hot for very long.

Answer 10

Mine stopped to, but I placed a small fan behind my computer and its been that way for 6 months still working with out trouble. hope this helps you like it did me.