Nita needs help with computer... It's about to blow!! [Vanity]

today | Nita Nupress

[Nita Nupress]

This computer is making a grinding noise; it sounds like it might be the fan. I have the cover off and it really sounds like the fan in the back is about to go out. Will it hurt the computer if I leave it on as long as it's turning?

The computer is an HP Pavillion 6535, about 3 or 4 years old...

Can it be fixed at home if I go buy a new fan, or is this a do-it-yourself project that blondes should avoid?

I added some RAM to it a few months ago with no problem. And I also took out the old CD drive and added a new one, so I'm not the stereotypical dumb blonde (Shutup Dog Gone and razorback bert. No smart-alek comments from you!)

Help! I need feedback!

[Zavien Doombringer]

you will have to solder it back...unless you just cut the wires and splice them together to the new fan's leads

[Nita Nupress]

Just don't call Pardek. He'll start telling me I should get an extension cord and dunk the computer in my bathtub or something.

[Nita Nupress]

Okay, thanks.

Be back in a few days, I hope!

[Zavien Doombringer]

The only thing that should be running on the board is the system clock. The battery on board is providing a charge to the CMOS/BIO CHIP. Todays motherboards are batteryless, I would have to agree with you if this computer were newer.

[js1138]

The only thing that should be running on the board is the system clock.

Sorry to disagree, but today's mothermoards have wake on LAN, wake on KB, wake on MOUSE, etc. Off is not completely off. Many boards have an onboard power led. If the case is open you can see it go off when you pull the plug.

[Zavien Doombringer]

that's what I am taling about, the newer MB, but these pull power from the power supply while it is still plugged!, not when it is unplugged. When the drop in voltage is detected, the relays disengage and power isn't pulled by these items...

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

You can pick up a replacement power supply at places like TigerDirect for $30-$35 bucks.

Egads! All Electronics has fans for $2-$5 each. www.allectronics.com

[steve50]

I think she thought it was a power supply fan, don't think they can be changed out. case or processor fans are quite cheap.

[MinuteGal]

If your computer just won't jell
Ring my bell
If you need some ace repair
I'll be there

If your wires are no use
Turn me loose!
If there's trouble in your fan
I'm your man

If you've got some broken keys
Flag me, please
If your hard drive's gone too soft
Phone my loft

It's friendship, friendship
Just the perfect blendship
When other fixers just cannot fix
Use my bag of tricks.

Woof-woof-woof

Quack-quack-quack

Hubba-hubba-hubba

Hmmmm, now I can't remember how to log off again.

HELP!!!!

Leni

[El Gato]

Most of the time noisy fans need replacing.

Probably. However I was having very similar problems to those Nita describes, but with the CPU cooling fan. I dismounted it from the heat sink, added a drop or two of Remington brand gun oil (it was handy :) ) and Its been mostly quiet ever since, about 2 months or so. I'd oiled it once or twice before without removing it from the heat sink, but I don't think I got the oil onto the fan shaft very well, as it only helped for a week or two that time.

Getting the fan off of the heat sink was trickey though.

[razorback-bert]

Blondes repairing computer: 1 holds the Perrier, other calls "Daaady!"

[Normal4me]

I chatted to a woman one time who said her CPU had overheated and melted..."It has clear plastic looking stuff all over." After about 30 minutes I/we discovered it was the thermal "grease"(?) that they used under the heat sink.

[KDD]

Whack it once or twice on top.

Worked on mine.

[razorback-bert]

This computer is making a grinding noise

For series, it is either the transmission or the built in coffee grinder not shutting down properly.

I am getting an image of Blondes, grinding and organs....but refuse to go further.

On that I going to take a cold shower and chase the moose out of the cheese patch.

[BlazingArizona]

I've always wondered about that ... how much longer will it last? Thanks.

I can't cite specific figures since they depend on the model and environment, but a system left on benefits from even temperature without 'thermal shock' at startup. The hard disk prefers continuous running over starting and stopping.

[6ppc]

He'll start telling me I should get an extension cord and dunk the computer in my bathtub or something.

Speaking of water and computers...a friend was going to visit his mother in Floriduh and part of his list was to fix her malfing computer. He described the machine to me and asked what I recommended. The usual answer is "use it for a boat anchor". Since my buddy was planning to go crabbing with his son I recommended he use it for a crab trap...whaddayall think? Oughta work pretty good!

[Jen]

Whack it once or twice on top. Worked on mine.

Ah, yes. Good ol' percussive maintenance.

[Nick Danger]

One tip if you're going to replace the power supply: as you start pulling the power connectors from things (disk drive, CD-ROM, etc.) make a little diagram of all the places that you had to disconnect, so you can be sure to get power back to all of them when you put the new PS in. There will one Big Kahuna connector that goes to the motherboard, which you almost can't screw up, plus little wires running all over the place to each disk drive and maybe even the video card (some cards are so power-hungry they want their own cable from the power supply).

[Bogey78O]

after shipping and handling she'd save oly a few bucks.

[this_ol_patriot]

If it is indeed the power supply you may find that the standard ATX form factor PS is too big. You might need to find micro ATX or SFX form factor power supplies such as this one.

http://www.directron.com/directron/emachine.html

These are what go into EMachines and fit Presarios and Pavilions. The one at that link above is sold out but it gives you an idea what to search for. There are many PS dealers on the web, take your measurements first and look at the drawings.

If it is only noise and not actual power problems you may be able to live with it. My old, old Presario had a bad noisy power supply fan for several years before I retired it and the power supply never did go bad. I kept it clean including blowing it out from the inside holes with canned air and sprayed the fan shaft with pure silicone spray lube but not WD-40 or similar which can gum up and leave an oily film. That kept it alive till I junked the machine.