Inspiron 6000 CPU fan problem

PHYTHIAN

Hello all,

Been trying to figure out why my laptop has suddenly started running at 100% CPU usage. After running all the usual checks I ran the Dell Diagnostics. Error 2f37:011b....basically the CPU fan is not working on high speed (>3700 rpm?) . The diagnostics did not say it WAS working on low speed but I doubt it as the laptop has been 'unusually quiet' for the last few days.

SO......before I open it up and have a luck for dust etc ( never looked inside a lappy before, so very wary of doing that)..

1. Is the fan kaput so not worth trying to clean? How easy is it to replace? I've had a look on ebay and some fans are with the heatsink...is this worth doing at the same time?
2. How easy is it to clean all the crap out and is there anything I should look out for?
3. Basically any further advice you can think of!!!!...I'm OK at running Malaware Hijack This and sorting those probs BUT I'm very very nervous about opening the casing even though the lappy is out of guarantee.
3.

Browntoa

change the fan on its own.....redo the cpu thermal paste while its open (use quality silver based stuff for about £7.99 from Maplins)

you can buy a can of air blaster from Maplins or Staples and blow out the fans and vents without opening it all up , you are normally looking for dust in the outlet vents

Browntoa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh_6YWPomeQ&p=9F13646738E57174&playnext=1&index=5

Hammyman

Assuming I've remembered this right (I do a lot of different models of laptops) , you can access the fan from under the keyboard so you've only got to prise off the strip that the power buttons are on (prise up from the indent on the right side of the panel), undo a few screws holding the top of the keyboard down then lift out, pulling out the connector. You'll then see the fan. A couple of screws hold it in place. Undo those and you can pull it out.

Browntoa is slightly wrong about the dust in that it doesn't clog up the fins on the heatsink that much. Usually it collects in the space between the fan and the heatsink. It eventually gets to a point where it forms a wad and cannot be shifted by compressed air - all it does is break off lumps which go into the fan and either stop it rotating or the fan just pushes it back to where it was.

PHYTHIAN

Thanks folks, doesn't seem too much to worry about . I'll have a bash at it tonight ( at work now and was too much of a scaredy cat last night....lool).