Computer fan

We have a 2 year old Compaq Presario which runs really well and is quite fast but the last month or so we have noticed the fan coming on a lot more often and it seems louder than it used to be, does this indicate anything. It is not as if our office is warmer, because of the weather it is probably cooler than a couple of months ago, that is if temperature has anything to do with the fan coming on and off.............THANK YOU

hi rod, i think that area inside the computer where the fan is, you will find it's got a bit dusty. if it's got dust build up, the fan works overtime. i know i have had this problem in the past. when we had a desktop, it went in for something to be fixed, and he told me that area by the fan was FULL of dust AND cobwebs:eek::eek:.

now i have a laptop, and even when that went in for something recently, my computer guy told me that, that also was full of dust.
once that area has been cleaned out, it runs smoother without overheating.

so if you can, take the cover off, and give a light (very light) vacuum to get rid of the dust.then replace the cover.

Yeah, I can vouch for that...a while back, my keyboard on my lappy was getting hot, figured I had a major problem, so with warranty in place off I went to get it fixed. Found out I had to send the lappy to Auckland (which was not the case when I bought the thing and the extended warranty), was not a happy camper, so went home to think about things.

Now, I have been a good girl, using canned air to spray the keyboard, spray the fans, spray the copper thingy I can see in the back, doing what I thought was proper maintenance. Hubby had brought out the compressor to give some other stuff a good blow-out, and for the sake of something to do, I had him take the compressor to the lappy...HE wasn't a happy camper as he became enveloped in a cloud of dust and such...apparently the cans of air aren't really strong enough to do a good cleaning.

So, every couple of months or so, when hubby pulls out the compressor, I dutifully trot my lappy over to him, and it gets a good clean. Haven't had a heating up problem since (and am really glad I hadn't sent it out for repair, as that would have been too embarrassing!)

Diane

I agree, you will probably find the fan clogged with dust bunnies.
I took one in for repairs and was told to clean it out with a compressor every couple of months [:0]
I baulk at the idea, the compressed air has moisture in it, surely not good to blast that into the computer. [:0]
I am told we have a thingy here that takes out the moisture so I should be safe. Still seems so harsh i=on such a sensative piece of equipment.

Was also told it was the dust that made my computer power pack burn out..... yeah right!

Be careful with the air compressor, for many reasons.

Canned air is de-humidified (water removed) before canning, the compressor fires humid water laden air at delicate electronics. Some compressors have water traps, but only as an addon device.
Some compressors also have inline oilers (for oiling pneumatic workshop tools), which adds oil to the blast. Again not something you want to coat your computer innards with.

And air compressors blow air at upwards of 100psi (compared to the 30psi in car tyres), this is enough to blow electronics of circuit boards of you don't know what you are doing.
Please be careful, and be aware that your insurance won't cover you if you damage the computer.

That's why hubby does it, not me! LOL There are times when he says he can't as he doesn't have the right hose on.

Wyseyes, what about those attachment thingies that let one use the vacuum to blow up air mattress and such? Would that be workable for a heavier-duty blow-out than the canned air provides?

Diane

Thanks all, you were definitely right about the dust, I never thought of that and I have just given it a good vacuum in all the vents. At this point I haven't taken the cover off and cleaned inside but now I can see this is more than likely to be the problem and will keep an eye on it.

NZ Appaloosas;248341 wrote: what about those attachment thingies that let one use the vacuum to blow up air mattress and such? Would that be workable for a heavier-duty blow-out than the canned air provides?

The vac nozzle for mattresses works on a high-volume, low pressure system. The compressor uses high pressure, low volume.

If you used that, the dust may just wave back at you in the light breeze.

That could be fun, Wyseyes! LOL As I tell my husband when he rolls his eyes at me at all things electrical, I was raised by an electrician, not trained to be one!

Diane

I just disassemble my laptop occasionally and hold the fan and heat sink assembly up and huff and puff at it. the desktop gets a vacuum waved over it when I have it open to play with the innards.