Fans died in my Laptop....

from Elemental Forums

... about 2 months ago, causing a lot of overheating and a few forced shutdowns.Died isn't quite the correct term, as they have turned on three times since then.

Twice, after the computer got so hot it shut itself down, the three fans ran full-blow when I restarted it. But during each re-start, the CPU and RAM ran at 100%, causing startup to take almost 20 minutes, and forcing me to shut it back down.

The third time is when I updated the BIOS, the fans ran for 3 or 4 seconds while the computer made it's changes, then went silent again.

Not exactly reliable! And as I primarily game on the laptop, its a giant paper weight right now. I finally finished with Dell's support script of problems, and they're having me send it in. I'm glad, but I've seen one computer that came back from Dell worse than it left.

 

Oh well!

40,711 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

My fan went out too.  Should have replaced it as soon as you had problems.

8O  -Twilight Storm

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

You're undoubtably right, but It took me a little bit to clue in, after which I tried a few things to fix it myself, including a bios update and speedfan. Add to that the fact that I really do not enjoy dealing with customer support, whether it's Dell or any other institution, that has its employees reading off a computerized script. It's often less than helpful and mildly condescending.

Curtains - Customize Windows with additional styles
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Lucky you.

 

My laptop main board broke on my 14th month. I only had 12 month warranty now to fix it it would cost me 1100$. My laptop cost me 1500.

 

It won't even start now so it's completly worthless.

 

So I know how you feel

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

I'm only just ordering my new fan.  Took it into a computer shop to check it all out, but they wanted $90 just to remove the back cover...So I did that myself.  Unfortunately, they told me I needed to remove the whole heat sink, which i did, then found the model number of the fan, right on the fan, which I ordered last night.  Just the fan, no heat sink.

On that note, when I removed the heat sink I accidentally scraped off some blue putty like stuff off the bottom of it, where it sits on one of the chips.  (I know little about the hardware aspect of computers, and even less about laptop hardware)  It seemed pretty pliable, so i flatened it out with my screwdriver and put it back on when I reinstalled the heat sink, but I was wondering if anyone out there knows a reason that that is a bad idea before I go to turn it back on.  (I don't see how it would be, but better safe...)

-Twilight Storm

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I accidentally scraped off some blue putty like stuff off the bottom of it, where it sits on one of the chips.

I believe you removed their version of Thermal Paste.  If that is the case, it is not reusable.  You will need to clean both contact areas with a mild acetone (fingernail polish remover on a q-tip will suffice, and follow that up with some pure alcohol).  The end result of the cleaning should not leave any residue from either "cleaner" so, make sure the cleaners do not have extra additives.

Then, you will need to apply some new thermal paste, recommended LINK.

Techniques on applying thermal paste vary, but the main idea is to get an even... but not to thick or thin spread between the CPU and heatsink.  This is critical to get this done right, for the results of overheating... well you know.  }:)

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

Thanks.  Guess I'll replace that, then.  To be clear, it had the consistency of silly putty, and was about 1/16-1/8 inch thick(Not sure) and the chip next to it was using the regular silver compound I'm used to seeing.(Haven't replaced that yet, but I had intended to once I knew if the other one needed to be replaced and if the heat sink needed to be replaced as I was told...)

-Twilight Storm

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I believe you removed their version of Thermal Paste.

Correction for clarity, It is thermal paste.

it had the consistency of silly putty, and was about 1/16-1/8 inch thick

Yeah, it usually does... and after a ton of heat, it will even harden.  So, your heat problem sounds just like a "problem" and not a disaster. (fingers crossed). O:)

Good luck with the heatsink.

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Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

thx for the assist.k1 for saving me from a massive disaster.

-Twilight Storm

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

I always use artic silver 5 thermal compound...

On topic, my laptop video card died a year ago and I recently replaced it.  The video card had one screw that couldn't be unscrewed that I had to drill into the keyboard to get it out!

 

I was successful.

Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top

I'ma use arctic silver on the one, but the one I scraped had some thicker stuff on it.

-Twilight Storm

Reply #11 from Elemental Forums Top

Ah, drilling into the keyboard would be beyond my particular brand of courage. As for taking computers into shops, you will generally get charged out the behind for minimal work. And expect to pay even more if they come to you. I'm glad, for once, that I paid for extended warranty. I hear the local geek-squad or similar ask $90 an hour for in-home work.

Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top

This place I went to wanted $90 just to open the back cover of my laptop.  That's why I did it myself.  (THough they don't charge any more for in-home work...cuz they chargin so much already...)

-Twilight Storm