Computer fan died, help please

[Ikohn4ever]

Well my fan in my comp has been soundin like a lawnmower engine now for awhile. Well tonight it finally crapped out on me. Luckily there is more than one comp in the house. So I was wondering how difficult is it to replace a fan in a tower? What kind of info will I need to know when purchasing a new fan? And how bad is it to run my comp without a fan. Thanx in advance.

[WhipSmartBanky]

Depends. CPU Fan? Power supply fan?

[Ikohn4ever]

Depends. CPU Fan? Power supply fan?


I am pretty sure its the power supply fan coming out the back of the tower. It was very loud, so that makes me think it was that one.

[WhipSmartBanky]

I am pretty sure its the power supply fan coming out the back of the tower. It was very loud, so that makes me think it was that one.
Time to replace the power supply. Don't run the computer without that fan operating. If it was the CPU fan and you h a good heat sink and the CPU isn't overclocked, I'd say go for it at your own risk...

Anyway, good luck.

[Ikohn4ever]

Time to replace the power supply. Don't run the computer without that fan operating. If it was the CPU fan and you h a good heat sink and the CPU isn't overclocked, I'd say go for it at your own risk...

Anyway, good luck.


is it hard to replace the power supply, i am a real fool at this stuff. Cause it turned on again after the fan died and it started to work. So I wanna make sure its the right thing broken. Is there an easy way to make sure that its the powersupply and not the cpu.

[Gregory Kimball]

Check. Remove the PSU and test it. If the fan doesn't work, then get a new PSU.

If it isn't the PSU fan, then remove your other system fans and test them. Once you find the one that doesn't work, go to www.newegg.com and get a new one for a couple bucks.

[WhipSmartBanky]

is it hard to replace the power supply, i am a real fool at this stuff. Cause it turned on again after the fan died and it started to work. So I wanna make sure its the right thing broken. Is there an easy way to make sure that its the powersupply and not the cpu.
Know any local nerds? Bring them some Bawls or Red Bull and act real nice and this should be easy-peasy for one of them to help get fixed.

[Ikohn4ever]

Check. Remove the PSU and test it. If the fan doesn't work, then get a new PSU.

If it isn't the PSU fan, then remove your other system fans and test them. Once you find the one that doesn't work, go to www.newegg.com and get a new one for a couple bucks.

will the PSU have all the info about it for me getting a new one? and how hard is it to take out?

[Gregory Kimball]

is it hard to replace the power supply, i am a real fool at this stuff. Cause it turned on again after the fan died and it started to work. So I wanna make sure its the right thing broken. Is there an easy way to make sure that its the powersupply and not the cpu.
Okay, then try this. Turn your case around and power up the computer. Look at the fans, and find the one that isn't working. If it's the fan next to the power cord, then you need a new power supply. If it is another fan, then open up the case and remove it. If you can't see the broken fan from the outside, it is likely the processor fan.

[strebor]

is it hard to replace the power supply, i am a real fool at this stuff. Cause it turned on again after the fan died and it started to work. So I wanna make sure its the right thing broken. Is there an easy way to make sure that its the powersupply and not the cpu.

Just because a fan is loud doesn't mean its a power supply fan. Most fans make noise when they die. The best way is to just open your case and turn the computer on, and take a look to see which fan isn't running. If it's the CPU's heatsink fan (the thing sitting on top of your CPU), then I'd have someone whose good with this stuff replace that. It can be a bit tricky if you don't know how to do it right. Power supply fan, just get a new power supply. Do not go opening up your power supply. It's fairly easy to get out and replace, but then you have to reconnect everything. If you have someone who knows anything about computer hardware, have them help you. If it's just a case fan you should also replace it, but it's not one of the super important fans. How important it is depends on how many fans you have, and where that one was located. Just unscrew it and replace it with a new one of the same size (probably 80mm or 120mm).

Oh, and if it is your CPU (heatsink) fan, do NOT keep the computer on. Just keep it off until you replace it.

[Ikohn4ever]

Know any local nerds? Bring them some Bawls or Red Bull and act real nice and this should be easy-peasy for one of them to help get fixed.


yeah I got some techies, but I didnt want to call them at this time and wake up their moms. I just wanted to get as much info as I can first before I call in the big guns.

[WhipSmartBanky]

Okay, then try this. Turn your case around and power up the computer. Look at the fans, and find the one that isn't working. If it's the fan next to the power cord, then you need a new power supply. If it is another fan, then open up the case and remove it. If you can't see the broken fan from the outside, it is likely the processor fan.
I'm tellin' ya...find a nerd. Bring them goodies.

[Ikohn4ever]

alright I am goin to mess with it for a lil and then hit the hay, thanx everyone for the help, i'll keep ya posted

[Gregory Kimball]

will the PSU have all the info about it for me getting a new one? and how hard is it to take out?
It should be quite easy. All you have to do is loosen some screws and pull some cables.

You won't have to buy a specific PSU for your computer, although I can recommend a few quality manufacturers. :D

[Ikohn4ever]

alright well after messing around it seems to be the fan for the tower itself. I tried to take that out but it seems fastened in there even after I take out the screws.

[Ikohn4ever]

ohh its also over 5years old. So i guess there is some consideration about gettin a new comp all together. Though this current one runs fine except I cant play new games but thats no biggie.

[Frogger]

while not a great idea, it's sometimes possible to get a broken fan moving - if its just gunked down. try using a pencil to flick it and see if it starts moving.

temporary fix though, it should be replaced.

its *really* easy to replace a fan or even the power supply. all you have to do is study how it's currently hooked up...and once you have the new part, simply replace it - taking care to make exactly the same connections.

on a side note, on an old pentium 1 system, i actually cracked the power supply case open, cut out the old fan, and spliced in a new one. dont try that at home :)

[Ikohn4ever]

so while lookin at fans for sale and how different they are from mine, I guess mine is really 2 parts one the fan and the other the part that connects with the tower. So is there anything else I need to know besides the size of the old one.

[Frogger]

so while lookin at fans for sale and how different they are from mine, I guess mine is really 2 parts one the fan and the other the part that connects with the tower. So is there anything else I need to know besides the size of the old one.

not really. I assume your old fan uses a standard power connection, so just buy the same size fan. One thing to note is that when you put in the new one, the air should be flowing out of the case (sometimes you cant screw that up, sometimes you can).

is this just a normal "clone" PC, or is this a name-brand system with a special case / fans?

[Ikohn4ever]

not really. I assume your old fan uses a standard power connection, so just buy the same size fan. One thing to note is that when you put in the new one, the air should be flowing out of the case (sometimes you cant screw that up, sometimes you can).

is this just a normal "clone" PC, or is this a name-brand system with a special case / fans?

it was a dell, and there seems to be 2 attachments one that connects it to the tower and another that pushes the air down to the bottom of the tower from the inside.

[NoRain]

If its not the power supply fan or the CPU fan I wouldn't even worry about replacing it unless the system was overheating. Most BIOS'S tell you the temperature hit f1 or delete on startup and look for the temperature. Do not change any settings. Then go online and see if your temperature is accepatable. If it is don't worry about it. If its not get a new fan. To replace a power supply you need to know the wattage and form factor. AT, ATX ect... and get atleast as much wattage as you had probably more. If your computer was manufactured by say HP go to their website and look for details on your model it should say the form factor and power supply wattage if thats the troubled fan. The big concerns are power supply fan and cpu fan otherwise its not usually as big a deal. In the bios if theres an overheat warning make sure its on. This will cause your computer to beep at you if it gets too hot.

[Ikohn4ever]

If its not the power supply fan or the CPU fan I wouldn't even worry about replacing it unless the system was overheating. Most BIOS'S tell you the temperature hit f1 or delete on startup and look for the temperature. Do not change any settings. Then go online and see if your temperature is accepatable. If it is don't worry about it. If its not get a new fan. To replace a power supply you need to know the wattage and form factor. AT, ATX ect... and get atleast as much wattage as you had probably more. If your computer was manufactured by say HP go to their website and look for details on your model it should say the form factor and power supply wattage if thats the troubled fan. The big concerns are power supply fan and cpu fan otherwise its not usually as big a deal. In the bios if theres an overheat warning make sure its on. This will cause your computer to beep at you if it gets too hot.


i might have to go along with this just seeing if it works well without it cause my tower fan is attached to this thing of plastic that attaches itself to the tower, but try as I might, that shit aint comin apart, and no fan I have seen on new egg so far comes with that along with the fan. I think i am pretty much fubared with this fan.

[NoRain]

Sounds like its just the case fan. I'd just watch the temperature, but I'm betting it isn't necessary. Is it in a division in your case? I've seen some towers that have a fan that force the air to a section of the case that another fan then blows outwards. If this is the case it shouldn't be all that necessary to componensate if it still gets hot get one of those slot fans. Something like this if its just a broke case fan that is weird. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835888309

[Ikohn4ever]

cool thanx

[Frogger]

Sounds like its just the case fan. I'd just watch the temperature, but I'm betting it isn't necessary. Is it in a division in your case? I've seen some towers that have a fan that force the air to a section of the case that another fan then blows outwards. If this is the case it shouldn't be all that necessary to componensate if it still gets hot get one of those slot fans. Something like this if its just a broke case fan that is weird. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835888309

great idea!!!

there are also fans that fit in the front 5" bays... but the one in the back is better.