My computer fan recently stopped making noises like it was working and now the machine sometimes turns off on its own. The clock also started slowing down, which makes me worry about the battery. I can't get it sent out to be fixed for three more weeks, what are some precautions I can take to avoid frying anything?
2007-11-26 06:41:51 · 9 answers · asked by Michelle D 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
Fans are not that hard to fix. Maybe you could find one and install it yourself. Just look up the instructions for taking apart your particular brand of computer in a search engine; even if you can't find them it wouldn't be too hard on your own. I routinely disconnect my fan and take it out of my computer, there is only a couple of screws holding it in.
If you do choose the above route make sure to ground yourself before you start and don't use magnetized screwdrivers. Obviously you'd need to disconnect the computer from the electrical socket first.
Maybe a cooling pad would help, but I'd be worried it might not keep my computer cool enough without it's own fan running.
I hope this help.
Ptr
2007-11-26 06:51:51 · answer #1 · answered by Peter S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I assume you've never opened a computer before and are a little scared too. Well Thats fine.
If you don't want to open it because it's under warranty then don't use it at all. Just wait and send it out when you can.
If it's just that you've never done it before well then you just have to be like Nike: "Just do it."
Seriously, it's isn't hard and there isn't much that can go wrong if you just remember a few things.
1) Make sure the power is OFF (and disconnected) and you WON'T get shocked. There is No power left over in the computer once the power is gone.
2) You CAN disconnect any wire or cable to move it out of the way as long as you re-connect it when your done.
If it is the power supply fan, then you'll need to replace the whole thing. The power supply is the large box that has alot of red, black, and yellow wires comming out of it. Take it out and take it to best buy or a computer shop nearby and ask them for a replacement.
If it is a fan that is connected to the case then it should be very easy to remove. Should be four screws or maybe a clever clip that holds it in place. Once it's out, take it to the shop and ask the same.
If the fan is connected to the processor (which it sounds like), it will take a little more effort to remove usually. It should be a smaller fan that should have metal prongs under it (don't worry, there just there to dissipate heat from the processor). Again it should be screws but I could easily be wrong since there are many different ones. Once out, it's off to the shops again. This might salve your problem but it could easily not since there are many different processors with different fans on them.
If you fallow these steps, then it could save you some money. If this doesn't help, your best bet is to take the while computer into Best Buy or a computer shop and ask for help. It's hard for me to tell without knowing more or being there to help (or even do it myself).
I hope this helps though. Computers are more afraid of you then you are of them... at least thats what I think.
You can do it. ;)
2007-11-26 07:20:56 · answer #2 · answered by CG 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Which fan stopped working? Generally computers will have at least two fans, one on the heat sink and the other for the case. If the one on the case stopped working, this will be the easier one to replace. You can pick up a new case fan from the local computer store for less than $20 and installation is really simple. The fan will have a wire to connect into the power harness and may have a wire to the motherboard (if the board support monitoring the fan speed...not all boards do this).
If the fan is the one on your heat sink (generally copper or aluminum and is located over the CPU), this might be better to leave to someone comfortable replacing the part. Finding a fan that fits onto the heat sink may be difficult and it might be easier to replace it entirely (heat sinks usually include the fan as the connection is not standardized).
** Edit **
If it is the power supply fan, do not try to service that one yourself. Just replace the entire power supply.
2007-11-26 07:04:31 · answer #3 · answered by Jim Maryland 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are cooling fan platforms (about $50.00 each) that you can set a laptop on which will keep your computer going if the only thing wrong with it is the malfunctioning cooling-fan. (You can set it under or against your desktop and that will help as well).
If it's a desktop computer & you're in a fairly cool environment (air conditioned room) - you can take the housing off the computer to let it vent better... slap on one of those cooling fan docks against the side to blow cool air across your internals... or heck, get a household fan & blow it across the internals if you have no other option.
Those are just temporary fixes and should work until you can get it properly fixed.... although my laptop's cooling fan has been broken for the past four months & the cooling fan dock-port has been working just fine (and it gave me additional USB-ports, too!)
2007-11-26 06:50:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I had the same thing happen to me a few years back in college, but my computer was a junker so I didn't care. The packard bell piece of crap ran for a year fine, I just kept the case open on the side and put a box fan on it. If you have a nice computer, I wouldn't recommend it, but it does work.
2007-11-26 06:48:04 · answer #5 · answered by Kevin H 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
this may be difficulty-free based the place the clicks got here from. positioned your hand at the back of the pc the place the fan is blowing, are you able to sense it nevertheless blowing air? in spite of if it is, then that fan is positive. if its no longer, this fan is great difficulty-free to change, in simple terms make certain you purchase one that suits interior the spot. next, open up your pc case, is there a fan on nicely suited of the processor? if there is, once you change the pc on, is that fan blowing air? if so, that's ok. if no longer, in all threat be greater suitable to pay somebody to change it, shouldnt cost too lots. if the click/clunking isn't coming from there, its in all threat your no longer easychronic, meaning its beginning to fail and you're able to back up your records in simple terms in case it dies. at that element you would be wanting to start looking right into a sparkling pc, or if the pc is greater contemporary you're able to in all threat in simple terms replace the no longer easychronic and reload your pc assuming you have each and every of the abode windows and utility CDs. something, you're able to in all threat take it in to a working laptop or pc restoration place, by using fact it would be too complicated to describe right here. stable success.
2016-10-18 04:28:24 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the computer, usually it's not too diffiicult to change a fan. Got a replacement handy? (do not use it without cooling)
2007-11-26 06:50:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the fan you can try replacing it yourself. If it is the power supply fan, replace the whole power supply. If it is the cpu fan, replace it.
2007-11-26 06:46:07 · answer #8 · answered by launchman20852 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't use it until it is fixed. YOu could do more damage or burn something out....even your HD.
2007-11-26 06:44:18 · answer #9 · answered by Triple Threat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋