Unclogging a fan? - Page 2

Allanon · 26-07-2008

Cooling fans are usually detachable from laptops. Take it out, fill up your air compressor (if you have one) and blow it out that way. Use a can of compressed air to hit all parts of the laptop that you can, since you can aim it more accurately.

Of course, be careful if you do use an air compressor. I've heard horror stories of people using some ancient compressor and blowing it in their computer just to find out that the air hose was full of rusty water.

UnMarth · 27-07-2008

Lol, I have taken a fair few laptops apart. But They slightly differ.

I would recommend taking it back, its not worth voiding the warranty to be honest. However, if you feel adventurous and feel you can get away with it to open the case to get the heat sink and fan. But before you take the screws off the back, you usually have to take the keyboard off first. You this this by removing the panel about the keyboard, you may see a notch for putting a tool under to remove it. Its not held by screws usually and carefully rip it off.

Above that you'll screws holding the keyboard in place undo these and carefully slide the keyboard out and look underneath it to detach the ribbon cable. You might also see the mini-pciE card too. So if you need to tamper with that, by all means do so.

Now that you detached the cable, Take the appropriative screws out on the back, not the ones holding in the DVD drive of HardDrive. And on the back panel, you may have to remove screws underneath the hinges, Be careful, the screen my flop over on its own weight and might break something!

The top usually comes off the bottom, and be careful about the touchpad cable too. Thats still attached! Also the top pannel may have some connection that you may have to detatch.

I would advise not touching the ends of the flat cable strips as you make them dirty and they may not have a decent contact when you re-attach them.

But I am sure with a bit of googling you can find the service manual, I think HP gives them out for free on their site anyway.

You'll see that your processor has a heat pipes or what ever they are called to the grill usually in the top corner of the laptop with the fan below it. The fan can be easily removed.

I tried the cheap way of 'compressed air' and just used a hairdryer, but used the 'cold' button. XD. It wasn't effective, But i haven't tried use canned air either. So I don't know whats better. So maybe trying to blast that into a few of the grills on your laptop?

Abby_Cullen · 06-08-2008

Just wanted to thank everyone for the advice, I really appreciate it!

Someone mentioned to me that I, er, shouldn't be using my computer on my pillow, because there is no room for the fan to cool. So I've kept it on my desk the majority of the time and I've had no problems at all.

quattrus · 06-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandi

I, er, shouldn't be using my computer on my pillow, because there is no room for the fan to cool. So I've kept it on my desk the majority of the time and I've had no problems at all.

Oh my......

Reminds me of those phone calls to the technical assistance where the operator tries helping the customer for an hour to figure out why the computer doesn't work and then they discover that the power cord is disconnected.....

Anyway, good for your laptop you've discovered how not to make a stove out of it!

dogboy · 06-08-2008

They don't like it if you place it on your bed. Same effect! I too found out by experience. I use a wood cutting board and put it on my lap while sitting on the bed. Typically I'm watching t.v. and on this site at the same time. Also lol.....

Abby_Cullen · 06-08-2008

lol Well I didnt' know! I've only owned one of these laptop do-hickers for like, 6 months! :P

But yeah, I think I may just have to go purchase one of those lap-desk things. I really hate this chair, it's uncomfortable.

BabyGrizzy · 07-08-2008

This happened with my laptop a while ago (Pavillion dv6000)....Basicly the fan melted. It would last a few minutes after starting up. It would freeze or just shut off...I sent it back to HP, took 2 weeks to fix...

To be honest, I wouldn't buy another HP laptop (sent it in 3 times for hardware problems).

Mr Alex · 07-08-2008

This is why I love desktops, I can see if my fans get clogged, although I can't tell because it's too dark, and my computer is always on. TV is right next to me, so I don't even need a "laptop."

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26-07-2008	#11 (permalink)
Allanon Lurker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midwest, USA Age: 21 Posts: 184 Threads: 2 Wiki Edits: 1 Reputation: 8	Cooling fans are usually detachable from laptops. Take it out, fill up your air compressor (if you have one) and blow it out that way. Use a can of compressed air to hit all parts of the laptop that you can, since you can aim it more accurately. Of course, be careful if you do use an air compressor. I've heard horror stories of people using some ancient compressor and blowing it in their computer just to find out that the air hose was full of rusty water.

27-07-2008	#12 (permalink)
UnMarth Mitte! Mitte! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 617 Threads: 13 Gallery Uploads: 1 Wiki Edits: 45 Blog Entries: 17	Lol, I have taken a fair few laptops apart. But They slightly differ. I would recommend taking it back, its not worth voiding the warranty to be honest. However, if you feel adventurous and feel you can get away with it to open the case to get the heat sink and fan. But before you take the screws off the back, you usually have to take the keyboard off first. You this this by removing the panel about the keyboard, you may see a notch for putting a tool under to remove it. Its not held by screws usually and carefully rip it off. Above that you'll screws holding the keyboard in place undo these and carefully slide the keyboard out and look underneath it to detach the ribbon cable. You might also see the mini-pciE card too. So if you need to tamper with that, by all means do so. Now that you detached the cable, Take the appropriative screws out on the back, not the ones holding in the DVD drive of HardDrive. And on the back panel, you may have to remove screws underneath the hinges, Be careful, the screen my flop over on its own weight and might break something! The top usually comes off the bottom, and be careful about the touchpad cable too. Thats still attached! Also the top pannel may have some connection that you may have to detatch. I would advise not touching the ends of the flat cable strips as you make them dirty and they may not have a decent contact when you re-attach them. But I am sure with a bit of googling you can find the service manual, I think HP gives them out for free on their site anyway. You'll see that your processor has a heat pipes or what ever they are called to the grill usually in the top corner of the laptop with the fan below it. The fan can be easily removed. I tried the cheap way of 'compressed air' and just used a hairdryer, but used the 'cold' button. XD. It wasn't effective, But i haven't tried use canned air either. So I don't know whats better. So maybe trying to blast that into a few of the grills on your laptop?

06-08-2008	#13 (permalink)
Abby_Cullen Will you be my lion? Historical Donor Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Forks, Washington. Age: 18 Posts: 2,340 Threads: 93 Gallery Uploads: 37 Blog Entries: 11	Just wanted to thank everyone for the advice, I really appreciate it! Someone mentioned to me that I, er, shouldn't be using my computer on my pillow, because there is no room for the fan to cool. So I've kept it on my desk the majority of the time and I've had no problems at all.

06-08-2008	#15 (permalink)
dogboy VIP Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 1,100 Threads: 4	They don't like it if you place it on your bed. Same effect! I too found out by experience. I use a wood cutting board and put it on my lap while sitting on the bed. Typically I'm watching t.v. and on this site at the same time. Also lol.....

06-08-2008	#16 (permalink)
Abby_Cullen Will you be my lion? Historical Donor Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Forks, Washington. Age: 18 Posts: 2,340 Threads: 93 Gallery Uploads: 37 Blog Entries: 11	lol Well I didnt' know! I've only owned one of these laptop do-hickers for like, 6 months! :P But yeah, I think I may just have to go purchase one of those lap-desk things. I really hate this chair, it's uncomfortable.

07-08-2008	#17 (permalink)
BabyGrizzy Regular Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: California, USA Age: 15 Posts: 559 Threads: 60 Gallery Uploads: 20 Wiki Edits: 5 Blog Entries: 1	This happened with my laptop a while ago (Pavillion dv6000)....Basicly the fan melted. It would last a few minutes after starting up. It would freeze or just shut off...I sent it back to HP, took 2 weeks to fix... To be honest, I wouldn't buy another HP laptop (sent it in 3 times for hardware problems).

07-08-2008	#18 (permalink)
Mr Alex Regular Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Age: 16 Posts: 2,146 Threads: 57 Gallery Uploads: 2 Wiki Edits: 11	This is why I love desktops, I can see if my fans get clogged, although I can't tell because it's too dark, and my computer is always on. TV is right next to me, so I don't even need a "laptop."