(Vanity) Geeky computer hardware question

[yankeedame]

I've got a 4 year old HP middle-of-the-line desktop. The internal fan is getting awfully noisy. Is replacing it a fairly simple DIY project or would hiring a computer guy be the better way to go?

Thanks.

[domenad]

This is relatively simple. The fan is either fed from your power supply or directly off your system main board. It will either be a very small 3 pin header (all those off the mainboard will be like this) or a larger 4 pin (molex) header that attaches to the power supply. Either way, make sure the replacement fan you buy has the right power connector. You should be able to reuse the mounting screws, or if you like use some 3M contact squares

[VRWCmember]

Replacing the fan is very easy, but you might also need to replace the power supply if it is four years old. While you’re at it, upgrading your processor might not be a bad idea too.

[grobdriver]

10 minutes.

Screwdriver and a pair of needle-nose pliers if you can’t get to the connector.

[DeusExMachina05]

The question is..which fan?

The powersupply fan, the processor fan or a graphics card fan?

[King Moonracer]

There could be more than one fan. CPU, Video card, Power source. The CPU fan is easy, Video not likely unless it was expensive. Power source replacement is tedious. You hard drive may be going too. Does it sound like a jet engine?

[Perdogg]

What model do you have? I just purchased a new HP desk top with V64/SP1. It’s more quiet than a church mouse.

[roamer_1]

Depends upon which internal fan is the problem.

Shut it down, pull the side cover, restart it, and while running, determine which fan is causing the problem...

[Dan(9698)]

If you have done something similar, it is fairly easy.

If you haven’t, your eyes will glaze over when you open the case.

You can get a replacement at Radio Shack. Cut the wires and splice them to the same color. That is easier than trying to take them off the connector and putting new ones on.

[silverleaf]

when mine did started to do this- it died

Blue screen of death and I lost everything

be sure you back up all your files asap

Carbonite or something similar

[gop4lyf]

Just make sure you put one of those blue or red LED fans in there to make it look really cool! They only cost about a buck more at Fry’s or Microcenter.

[joseph20]

Which fan is it? The case fan or the cpu fan or the video card fan?

Changing a case fan is something you should be able to do yourself. The only question I have is whether an off-the-shelf case fan would fit into your HP since it may be a proprietary case design.

If the CPU fan needs replacing, I’d suggest bringing it to a professional (if you don’t have any experience with CPUs).

[MHGinTN]

A mere fan probably connects via a small plug.

[Lucian]

Let me know what fan it is and i should be able to walk you through step by step. Don’t take it to a repair guy this should be a fairly easy fix. My guess is that it is your power supply or hard drive. Most newer computers and stock computers are predominately everything on-board style machines with a few exceptions giving them a fairly low heat out put and hence no need for fan based disipation. Check your CD drive too for a CD in the drive (some CD drives are really noisy.)

[mnehring]

Probably one of the easiest things you can do.. just a word of advice- Ground Yourself! Don’t dig around in there until you ground yourself to keep any static electricity from jumping.

Might as well take advantage of the time you are in there and upgrade your RAM if needed (very simple) or other simple things you can do to improve performance.

[Niteranger68]

I'll wager 10 to 1 it's the processor fan. They are fairly easy to replace with either 4 screws or a latching device (or both). The trick with HP’s is how they usually use some sort of plastic duct to channel air from the processor to the back of the case. A replacement fan for the processor is $5-$10 so it's definitely worth a try. For now, don't bother with changing anything else that isn't broken. Maybe do that later, after you successfully complete the fan swap.

[KarenMarie]

This is a relatively easy job, even if you have never done this before. Just don’t feel overwhelmed.

I would like to suggest that while you are in there... to grab a can of air and spray the crap out of your system. Make sure you get in every fan and every nook and cranny. Dust, hair, dead skin and etc... really make a negative difference in the running of your machine.

[reformedliberal]

Absolutely. I had this problem several times with my last Dell. Sounded like the thing was in severe pain. After blowing it out and vacuuming with a small hand-held vacuum, it was quiet..........until the next time.

I have a long-haired dog, a cat that sheds constantly, I work with wool fiber and we live in the country. EVERYTHING needs cleaning out on a regular basis, especially the window screens.

[KarenMarie]

Ughh!! I am worse than you!

I have been building computers since 1996. I usually have 4-5 desktops (and 3 laptops) in various stages of working. And even the working ones, I usually stop short of putting the case side on. Once it is finished, I leave it off to see how it runs for a while and do any necessary tweaking. After a while it needs upgrades (new stuff comes out so often) and it seems I am always doing something to one of them. I am soooo bad about case sides.

Plus I do a lot of cat rescue and have loads of them around the house... the house which always seems to be under renovation or redecorating of some sort.

We buy canned air by the case!
Hahaha!

[Fire_on_High]

Video not likely unless it was expensive.

HP has had issues with video card fans being bad for a few years now. I got a HP desktop as a gift last summer and am on my fourth or fifth video card already. Don't rule it out, but don't obsess on it either...CPU fan is still far more likely but be aware this flaw is out there and more common than the norm.