is my computer overheating and what is the best way to clean the fan?

Question

every time i'm running a couple of programs, my computer makes a noise like a fan, like every five or ten minutes. i've attempted to clean the fan from the back with a brush and the obvious dust has gone, but it's still making the noise. i can't get to a computer shop today because i have work deadlines to make by tomorrow, but it's annoying the france out of me. is there anything i can do to clean the fan better without getting compressed air? if not i'll have to go get some. is it true that i shouldn't vacuum the back of the computer incase of static buildup?

thanks guys! way more information and detail than i was expecting, thanks so much. will choose best answer soon, really appreciate it.

Answer 1

lots of soapy water!

Answer 2

You'll have to physically clean the fan blades, use a dry cloth, and if the dirt is caked on, use a flathead screw-driver. The noise is caused by lack of oil at the internal center of the fan. This is usually cover by a label that can be peeled back. Underneath the peel-back lable is a rubber cover, or, seal........just pry this up with a thin screw driver. Next, just put a few drops of everyday household oil right in that center hole. Put the rubber covering back, then the label ( if it doesn't adhere, don't worry, as long as the rubber covering is in place.) It should be fine for a while now. Be sure to replace the fan if the noise starts up soon after doing this, as it would mean that it's no longer any good.

Answer 3

Try opening the case up and looking at the fan on the CPU.
Sometimes a wire can touch the fan and make helicopter noises. The bearings in the fan may be gone but the fan itself only costs a few pound. so unscrew it from the heat sink, don't remove the heat sink unless you have the compound to replace it. There is normally only one wire from the fan to the motherboard marked CPU fan. While the fan is off, clean out the heat sink with a small paintbrush before replacing fan.
Or you could buy a can of compressed air known as an air duster. Have to thought about putting another fan on the back of your case?
Most motherboards have extra terminals for extra fans.

Answer 4

Remove the side cover of your computer, this is held on normally by two little screws, check that all wires are away from the processor fan, if you are going to vacuum out the dust switch off the computer but keep it plugged in at the socket so that the machine is earthed.
vacuum out the dust and hopefully that will do the trick, if the noise continues you might need to purchase a new fan.
If I can help give me a shout. Patrick.

Answer 5

More than likely, the bearing in the fan is out of greese or somehow been damaged. You cannot repair this, as it is a sealed unit. You just need to replace it. Luckily, fans are inexpensive at about 10 dollars or less.

I have never heard of vacuuming from behind will cause static damage. I've been doing it for many years and no damage.

By the way, compressed air is the best way to remove dust.

Answer 6

Usually Sys has 2 fans:-
1 for the SMPS
another 1 for the Processor.
I clean manually every 1ce in 2 weeks.
There r many softwares available to cool CPU from overheating. Some of these r CPU cooler, Waterfall, Rain.

Answer 7

take the fan out and using a soft brush,paint brsh for example clean off all the dust and if u want u can drop a little oil o it and then put it back it should be okay

Answer 8

take the side off
use a 30 mm paint brush and gently brush off the dirt
have a vacuum cleaner close to suck the dust away

Answer 9

Your best bet is too open up the case and blow the dust out. You can use a reversed vacuum cleaner to do this.

Answer 10

Dont be afraid to just open it up and get the dust out. Buy a can of compresed air and just blow it out. Make sure that you get it out of the processor's heatsink.

Answer 11

Try removing the side panal. I leave mine off most of the time with no problems.