How to clean my computer's fan?

RobberDucky · Sep 2, 2002, 08:57 AM

my computer is making very strange noises that i suspect is due to a dirty dirty fan. Can somebody give me step by step instructions on how to clean my fan thoroughly? thanks!

fornicatarachnid · Sep 2, 2002, 10:01 AM

I normally find that once a fan gets noisy the only thing to do is buy a new one because cleaning or trying to lubricate it is only temporary. A noisy fan usually indicates that the bearings are worn

It could have worked loose though, have you checked that ?

RobberDucky · Sep 2, 2002, 11:01 AM

how do i check that? i'm a noob at all this

digitalwanderer · Sep 2, 2002, 11:49 AM

I take my fans out, rinse them off in the sink under the faucet, and let 'em dry for a couple of days and they're as good as new. I keep a couple, (well, a LOT!

), of spare fans around for crazy-modding fun; and I just rotate the fans out of my boxes periodically and replace them with clean ones.

It might sound a bit daft, but the system works quite well.

~~JAV~~ · Sep 2, 2002, 06:20 PM

Besides the normal [COLOR=red]UNPLUG[/COLOR] the computer & ground yourself of static electricity before you open the case & start, you may want to look in a manual for the location & # of fans.

Some fans (PSU) in some systems can be a bear to get to. I like to plan my attack 1st.

Removal is best for the fans & a thorough cleaning of the comp. internals with *dry* air is a good idea. Cans of compressed dry air are available. Once I get the fans out, I brush them off w/a soft brush & then blow them off w/reg compressed air. Gotta hold the blade or it does turn.

Do it SOON. A noisy fan is like noisy car brakes > bad news is coming ... shortly!

DW,

Bet your wifes glad you don't have one of those sonic toothbrushes > it'd be on the hardware bench all the time.

HTH,

uf4 · Sep 4, 2002, 03:30 AM

may be you already done it.. and i cant write to make it easy to understand then i have found this its good.. hth.
Spring Cleaning For Your PC
Bust the Dust

;

digitalwanderer · Sep 4, 2002, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JAV
DW,

Bet your wifes glad you don't have one of those sonic toothbrushes > it'd be on the hardware bench all the time.

For some reason this really struck me as funny, maybe since my wife's old toothbrush is sitting on a shelf on my desk here. I use it to clean out my golden orb...

UberLord · Sep 4, 2002, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by digitalwanderer
For some reason this really struck me as funny, maybe since my wife's old toothbrush is sitting on a shelf on my desk here. I use it to clean out my golden orb...

You old pervert you.....

EDIT: Ah - you mean the golden orb by Thermal Take

digitalwanderer · Sep 4, 2002, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UberLord
You old pervert you.....

EDIT: Ah - you mean the golden orb by Thermal Take

Jeeze! Who's the perv? You have got to get your mind out of the gutter every now and again mate.

Besides, my wife is a brunette....

UberLord · Sep 4, 2002, 11:58 AM

Ah - I automatically think the worst of people. Then I'm pleasently suprised instead of badly let down

Sep 2, 2002, 08:57 AM	#1
RobberDucky DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 72 Rep Power: 0	How to clean my computer's fan? my computer is making very strange noises that i suspect is due to a dirty dirty fan. Can somebody give me step by step instructions on how to clean my fan thoroughly? thanks! __________________ Ducks go quack. Don't question things like that.

Sep 2, 2002, 11:01 AM	#3
RobberDucky DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 72 Rep Power: 0	how do i check that? i'm a noob at all this __________________ Ducks go quack. Don't question things like that.

Sep 2, 2002, 11:49 AM	#4
digitalwanderer Colour Commentator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Highland, IN USA Posts: 5,621 Rep Power: 0	You ain't gonna believe me, but it's the truth. I take my fans out, rinse them off in the sink under the faucet, and let 'em dry for a couple of days and they're as good as new. I keep a couple, (well, a LOT! ), of spare fans around for crazy-modding fun; and I just rotate the fans out of my boxes periodically and replace them with clean ones. It might sound a bit daft, but the system works quite well. __________________ WTF is up with the sigs?

Sep 4, 2002, 11:58 AM	#10
UberLord A Legend in Underwear Join Date: May 2002 Location: Unknown Posts: 5,256 Rep Power: 0	Ah - I automatically think the worst of people. Then I'm pleasently suprised instead of badly let down __________________ Gentoo Linux - Developer (baselayout) Read my blog "I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." Stephen Roberts

Sep 2, 2002, 10:01 AM	#2
fornicatarachnid Clanless Join Date: May 2002 Location: On the web, England UK Posts: 714 Rep Power: 0	I normally find that once a fan gets noisy the only thing to do is buy a new one because cleaning or trying to lubricate it is only temporary. A noisy fan usually indicates that the bearings are worn It could have worked loose though, have you checked that ?

Sep 2, 2002, 06:20 PM	#5
~~JAV~~ Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: California, USA Posts: 283 Rep Power: 0	Besides the normal [COLOR=red]UNPLUG[/COLOR] the computer & ground yourself of static electricity before you open the case & start, you may want to look in a manual for the location & # of fans. Some fans (PSU) in some systems can be a bear to get to. I like to plan my attack 1st. Removal is best for the fans & a thorough cleaning of the comp. internals with dry air is a good idea. Cans of compressed dry air are available. Once I get the fans out, I brush them off w/a soft brush & then blow them off w/reg compressed air. Gotta hold the blade or it does turn. Do it SOON. A noisy fan is like noisy car brakes > bad news is coming ... shortly! DW, Bet your wifes glad you don't have one of those sonic toothbrushes > it'd be on the hardware bench all the time. HTH,

Sep 4, 2002, 03:30 AM	#6
uf4 Always newbie & cocky kid Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 439 Rep Power: 0	may be you already done it.. and i cant write to make it easy to understand then i have found this its good.. hth. Spring Cleaning For Your PC Bust the Dust ;