Computer Problems

[turayza]

My laptop fan has recently been making a lot of noise (clicking, whirring far louder than normal...). It completely died for a few days but at least the fan is working now...otherwise, my computer is fine. Does anyone know what I should do?

[quantum]

Check if it is still under warranty, if so take it in for repair.

[richard black]

My laptop fan

I thought laptops usually didn't have a fan.

But what you describe sounds like dust and crap interfering with the fan. Clean it.

[turayza]

Ah...clean it? Sorry I'm totally computer stupid here XD So I can take a screwdriver, take the fan out, and it won't hurt my computer?

[Bob]

You can get compressed air in a bottle.  They sell that at a lot of stores.  That will blow dust out. 

For some laptops you can oil the fans yourself.  Laptops heat up, so they have fans.  Getting into a laptop can be a huuuuuge pain.  You might have to break things to get into it and then buy and replace whatever you had to break to open it up.

Or, just thinking, maybe you can squirt some oil into through the fan exahust, but I would check with someone who knows better.  IF that's possible and exactly what type of oil you need.

You can always send them in for repairs, but that can take months and costs a lot.  I would go with a local computer repairperson, esp if you have one around who specializes in laptops. 

And backup the computer.  If it's the hard drive making noise and not the fan, that might mean it's about to die.  Backups never hurt anyway.  (I should be backing things up come to think of it...)

[turayza]

Bah, humbug.
My computer is only about a year old, I certainly hope the harddrive isn't about to die D:
I think it's the fan, though, because the few days my computer was overheating was when there was, suspiciously, no noise. Harhar. Stupid laptop.

[richard black]

Sorry I'm totally computer stupid here

Well, you're in good company there, most of us are

But surely among your circle of acquaintances you can find someone who's a bit nerdy? Don't go near consumer electronics with a screwdriver unless you know at least a little about what to expect inside.

The fan may be to some extent accessible, in which case you can have a go at cleaning it with a cotton bud, reaching through a ventilation grille or something.

And I certainly endorse the advice to back up your hard drive. Drives can and do fail at any time in their life, new or old. At the very least, copy a few important files to a USB stick or something like that, or as a last resort create a webmail account and just email them to yourself!

[turayza]

Bah, humbug. Stupid computer.
Yeah, I've got to have some computer nerd friends somewhere...problem is, they're all programmers. D:

[Bob]

Do you have a desktop?  You could compare fan noises.

[turayza]

The noise is different. With the desktop, and my laptop before it started being retarded, it's a hum or a whir. Now my laptop clicks loudly D:

[quantum]

Clicks are not good, especially from a hard drive. 

If you have any important data, backup now. 

Do a scan disk and defragment.  See if any errors are reported.  Do this after backing up. 

If your computer is still under warranty, check with the company as there may be a free replacement.  Do this before attempting any repairs.  Google "Brand Model# problems" and see if there are any other issues being reported by others. 

[thalbergmad]

it's a hum or a whir.

Have you tried switching your hairdryer off and checking for wasps in the room??

Thal

[turayza]

quantum: That helps a lot, thanks. I've backed up everything but my warranty has ended. (sigh.)

thal: Lol XD I'm pretty sure it's coming from my computer, but thanks.

[thalbergmad]

How about a wasp inside your computer.

Those buggers get everywhere you know.

Thal

[turayza]

Hrm...maybe. That's really quite a disgusting thought, though. Imagine opening the computer up and finding some bug corpses...

[thalbergmad]

Thats what i found when i uncovered my old piano.

Thal

[Bob]

Hrm...maybe. That's really quite a disgusting thought, though. Imagine opening the computer up and finding some bug corpses...

Yeah... imagine that.  (Someone needs to do dishes more often... a lot more often... ugh...)

[goldentone]

Thats what i found when i uncovered my old piano.

Thal

Been there.

[richard black]

That's really quite a disgusting thought, though. Imagine opening the computer up and finding some bug corpses

You've led a very sheltered life! I've occasionally ended up servicing domestic appliances, especially boilers (water heaters). Open those up and you always find heaps of dead creepy-crawlies inside. Most computers have nothing worse than half a pound of dust and maybe a dead moth or two - very tame.

[turayza]

Hrm...it feels different when I discover dead bugs in appliances and such. I mean, I don't sit those appliances on my lap for hours on end (which I shouldn't with a computer anyways...)
Dishes, really? I haven't seen any dead bugs (or living ones, for that matter) in the dishwasher. Sink, maybe. D:

[Bob]

I pulled the lid off something and discovered a maggot graveyard.  Disgusting.  But I'm not buying a new one, so I bleached it out.  Still... yuck.... I just want to forget it happened.

[turayza]

Oh, that's awful. D:

I live in Washington, so we don't have as many bugs...it's a little colder than comfortable for them, it seems. Lots of ants and spiders, though.