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Another computer question...
Why is my cooling fan running so much these days?
Never used to hear it unless the processor was really being worked when working on photos. I'm almost wondering if someone is using my computer when I'm not, but it is 'on'.
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Scott '78 SC mit Sportomatic - Sold |
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I see you
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NJ
Posts: 29,921
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Are the vents dirty causing heat to build up?
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What he said. Dust build up inside, on the heat sink, in the vents...
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Seattle
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Blow out the dust.
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I recently 'repaired' my lenovo workstation laptop. Mostly quiet when new it was running fans almost constantly and hitting thermal limit from web browsing.
Initially had it opened and cleaned out fans and heatsinks (it was actually pretty clean) but problem persisted. Replaced entire 'heat sink assembly' including fans and machine is now like new. I suspect the heat pipe was broken from rough handling. New assembly was $100, install was quite involved and cost < $80. Well worth it if it lets me delay getting a new laptop for another year or so. |
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Yeah it probably needs a good cleaning, just like my desk. (sigh)
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Scott '78 SC mit Sportomatic - Sold |
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The Unsettler
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How many browser tabs do you keep open?
Modern browsers are memory pigs. Every window / tab eats resources.
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"I want my two dollars" "Goodbye and thanks for the fish" "Proud Member and Supporter of the YWL" "Brandon Won" |
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Join Date: Dec 1969
Location: chula vista ca usa
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I would say it is a slow failing of the goop that is between the CPU and its heat sink and needs replacement. As noted before, either blow or vacuum the animal hair and dust out then pull the heat sink and clean off the old stuff. Apply new goop the put the heat sink back on.
John |
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If you end up pulling the heat sink replace it with a water cooler.
I know we all like air cooled ![]() Quieter than whisper quiet and keeps temps well under control. I use NZXT Kraken coolers in my builds but the Corsair coolers are just fine as well and a bit more budget friendly. They really are worth the expense.
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"I want my two dollars" "Goodbye and thanks for the fish" "Proud Member and Supporter of the YWL" "Brandon Won" Last edited by stomachmonkey; 02-07-2023 at 06:47 PM.. |
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Thanks guys. I opened it up and yes, it was really dusty. I should have taken a picture but I didn't want to expose my cameras to that much dust/dirt. I vacuumed it out, cleaned off the fan blades and it is now quieter than it's been in a long time.
My only experience with pulling a heat sink didn't go well. I ended up mistakenly taking the cpu chip out of its socket. That was the end of that computer as I couldn't get the chip back in. There's a s@@#$%load of pins on it. I have the processor chip sitting right in front of me here at my desk as a constant reminder of my limitations. I won't be making that mistake again. I'll post a picture of it later. Thanks again.
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Scott '78 SC mit Sportomatic - Sold |
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They only fit one way. If they don't just drop in, wrong orientation.
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"I want my two dollars" "Goodbye and thanks for the fish" "Proud Member and Supporter of the YWL" "Brandon Won" |
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Hmmm, not sure if I knew that or noticed that it needed to be oriented correctly when trying to install it. That box is long gone though so water under the bridge so to speak. Still got the cpu though!
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Scott '78 SC mit Sportomatic - Sold |
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Says it's a Pentium 4, 1.7GHZ / 256 / 400 / 1.75V on the back.
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Scott '78 SC mit Sportomatic - Sold |
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
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There could be a process running OT that is heating things up. That's easy enough to check, far easier than taking your computer apart.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa ![]() |
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Quote:
At least you got the noise down by cleaning. I'm surprised that you couldn't get the proc back in. They are usually pretty easy to get in and out (once you flip the lever that locks them in place, and assuming that you know that they only go in one way...)
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa ![]() |
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I checked the Task Manager and it didn't show anything running.
I think it was the fact the 'dust' was packed solid on the top of the heat sink right under the fan so no air was getting passed over the fins. I mistakenly took that processor out thinking I was only removing the heat sink. Imagine my surprise when it came out attached to the heat sink and wouldn't go back in immediately afterwards without any rotating orientation wise. For what it's worth, it didn't come out all that easily either. I quickly realized I was going to need a new computer.
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My computer has been on all day and I haven't heard the fan 'come on', like I did yesterday, at all.
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Scott '78 SC mit Sportomatic - Sold |
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Quote:
You usually have to lift a lever to get them out and back in, and then put the lever down to lock the proc in place.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa ![]() Last edited by masraum; 02-08-2023 at 05:29 PM.. |
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
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Outstanding!
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa ![]() |
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Thanks. I'm a self-taught computer user and learned a lot, sometimes the hard way, when I got laid off back in '92. My sis-in-law's husband who is a computer nerd of sorts really got a kick out of what I'd try when I was learning how they worked. He said he'd never try what I did sometimes because he knew the consequences of a mis-step. My ignorance was bliss.
I'm a lot more cautious in my old age now.
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