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  3. Laptop fans do have a rev limit

Laptop fans do have a rev limit

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  • P Offline
    P Offline
    Peter_in_2780
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    This, my 15yo "social" laptop, spends much of its run time on soft surfaces, such as laps. As a consequence, I need to regularly open it up and pull the dust bunnies out of its airways. (I run a top bar temp monitor, so I can see when it's not breathing too well.) This morning I got to it. Of all the machines I've had to clean, it's among the most accessible. Unclip battery, 3 captive screws and 4 sliding clips to remove the keyboard. Pry up the "switch cover" above the keyboard. 2 more screws and the fan is out. As expected, major dust bunny almost blocking the airflow from fan into heatsink fins. Vacuum cleaner made short work of that. Brushed out the fan as best I could without disassembling it, decided to finish with the vacuum. Applied to outlet area, fan spins up to "normal" sort of revs. Vacuum applied to fan input face, fan sounds ready for takeoff. Sure enough, a clatter, and I now have an (n-1)-bladed fan. :-O Still appears to work, doesn't sound any different, and the CPU temp is about 15C lower. Might not survive too many repeats of that adventure, though.

    Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

    Mircea NeacsuM J Kornfeld Eliyahu PeterK OriginalGriffO S 14 Replies Last reply
    0
    • P Peter_in_2780

      This, my 15yo "social" laptop, spends much of its run time on soft surfaces, such as laps. As a consequence, I need to regularly open it up and pull the dust bunnies out of its airways. (I run a top bar temp monitor, so I can see when it's not breathing too well.) This morning I got to it. Of all the machines I've had to clean, it's among the most accessible. Unclip battery, 3 captive screws and 4 sliding clips to remove the keyboard. Pry up the "switch cover" above the keyboard. 2 more screws and the fan is out. As expected, major dust bunny almost blocking the airflow from fan into heatsink fins. Vacuum cleaner made short work of that. Brushed out the fan as best I could without disassembling it, decided to finish with the vacuum. Applied to outlet area, fan spins up to "normal" sort of revs. Vacuum applied to fan input face, fan sounds ready for takeoff. Sure enough, a clatter, and I now have an (n-1)-bladed fan. :-O Still appears to work, doesn't sound any different, and the CPU temp is about 15C lower. Might not survive too many repeats of that adventure, though.

      Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

      Mircea NeacsuM Online
      Mircea NeacsuM Online
      Mircea Neacsu
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      I reckon you don’t have much time to look for a replacement. Use it wisely :-D

      Mircea

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      • P Peter_in_2780

        This, my 15yo "social" laptop, spends much of its run time on soft surfaces, such as laps. As a consequence, I need to regularly open it up and pull the dust bunnies out of its airways. (I run a top bar temp monitor, so I can see when it's not breathing too well.) This morning I got to it. Of all the machines I've had to clean, it's among the most accessible. Unclip battery, 3 captive screws and 4 sliding clips to remove the keyboard. Pry up the "switch cover" above the keyboard. 2 more screws and the fan is out. As expected, major dust bunny almost blocking the airflow from fan into heatsink fins. Vacuum cleaner made short work of that. Brushed out the fan as best I could without disassembling it, decided to finish with the vacuum. Applied to outlet area, fan spins up to "normal" sort of revs. Vacuum applied to fan input face, fan sounds ready for takeoff. Sure enough, a clatter, and I now have an (n-1)-bladed fan. :-O Still appears to work, doesn't sound any different, and the CPU temp is about 15C lower. Might not survive too many repeats of that adventure, though.

        Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

        J Offline
        J Offline
        Jacquers
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        Be careful with the vacuum, I've 'fried' a laptop motherboard with static like that.

        P 1 Reply Last reply
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        • P Peter_in_2780

          This, my 15yo "social" laptop, spends much of its run time on soft surfaces, such as laps. As a consequence, I need to regularly open it up and pull the dust bunnies out of its airways. (I run a top bar temp monitor, so I can see when it's not breathing too well.) This morning I got to it. Of all the machines I've had to clean, it's among the most accessible. Unclip battery, 3 captive screws and 4 sliding clips to remove the keyboard. Pry up the "switch cover" above the keyboard. 2 more screws and the fan is out. As expected, major dust bunny almost blocking the airflow from fan into heatsink fins. Vacuum cleaner made short work of that. Brushed out the fan as best I could without disassembling it, decided to finish with the vacuum. Applied to outlet area, fan spins up to "normal" sort of revs. Vacuum applied to fan input face, fan sounds ready for takeoff. Sure enough, a clatter, and I now have an (n-1)-bladed fan. :-O Still appears to work, doesn't sound any different, and the CPU temp is about 15C lower. Might not survive too many repeats of that adventure, though.

          Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

          Kornfeld Eliyahu PeterK Offline
          Kornfeld Eliyahu PeterK Offline
          Kornfeld Eliyahu Peter
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Vacuum isn't the best option (statics) - probably air-spray will help you extend the lifetime of the fan...

          "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." ― Albert Einstein

          "It never ceases to amaze me that a spacecraft launched in 1977 can be fixed remotely from Earth." ― Brian Cox

          J P J 3 Replies Last reply
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          • Kornfeld Eliyahu PeterK Kornfeld Eliyahu Peter

            Vacuum isn't the best option (statics) - probably air-spray will help you extend the lifetime of the fan...

            "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." ― Albert Einstein

            J Offline
            J Offline
            jmaida
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            ditto. I have a can of compressed air upstairs in office and downstairs in den. TX is filled with dust. Which reminds me, that I need to do my regular dust purge. Folks, pay attention. It can save you money.

            "A little time, a little trouble, your better day" Badfinger

            1 Reply Last reply
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            • P Peter_in_2780

              This, my 15yo "social" laptop, spends much of its run time on soft surfaces, such as laps. As a consequence, I need to regularly open it up and pull the dust bunnies out of its airways. (I run a top bar temp monitor, so I can see when it's not breathing too well.) This morning I got to it. Of all the machines I've had to clean, it's among the most accessible. Unclip battery, 3 captive screws and 4 sliding clips to remove the keyboard. Pry up the "switch cover" above the keyboard. 2 more screws and the fan is out. As expected, major dust bunny almost blocking the airflow from fan into heatsink fins. Vacuum cleaner made short work of that. Brushed out the fan as best I could without disassembling it, decided to finish with the vacuum. Applied to outlet area, fan spins up to "normal" sort of revs. Vacuum applied to fan input face, fan sounds ready for takeoff. Sure enough, a clatter, and I now have an (n-1)-bladed fan. :-O Still appears to work, doesn't sound any different, and the CPU temp is about 15C lower. Might not survive too many repeats of that adventure, though.

              Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

              OriginalGriffO Offline
              OriginalGriffO Offline
              OriginalGriff
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              To add to what the others say, the loss of a blade will affect the fan balance, which will likely also affect the fan bearings detrimentally - remember that fans spin at around 2KHz and have tiny, tiny metal balls running in ABS races. The balance problem may also hasten the departure of other blades, which will likely jam the fan and prevent it turning at all. If you leave the lappie alone for even a moment, turn it off until you have a new fan installed!

              "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

              "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
              "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt

              S J 2 Replies Last reply
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              • J Jacquers

                Be careful with the vacuum, I've 'fried' a laptop motherboard with static like that.

                P Offline
                P Offline
                Peter_in_2780
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                Hardware guy from way way back, before this newfangled MOS appeared. Look at one of those chips the wrong way and it would zap itself. Anti-static procedures are automatic. (Slighlty) conductive brush, vacuum nozzle nearby.

                Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

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                • Kornfeld Eliyahu PeterK Kornfeld Eliyahu Peter

                  Vacuum isn't the best option (statics) - probably air-spray will help you extend the lifetime of the fan...

                  "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." ― Albert Einstein

                  P Offline
                  P Offline
                  Peter_in_2780
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  With a vacuum, you have a reasonable chance of knowing where the debris winds up. With canned air, it goes into the most inaccessible recesses...

                  Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

                  J 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • Kornfeld Eliyahu PeterK Kornfeld Eliyahu Peter

                    Vacuum isn't the best option (statics) - probably air-spray will help you extend the lifetime of the fan...

                    "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." ― Albert Einstein

                    J Offline
                    J Offline
                    Jorgen Andersson
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    Which is why I unscrew the fan before vacuuming.

                    Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

                      To add to what the others say, the loss of a blade will affect the fan balance, which will likely also affect the fan bearings detrimentally - remember that fans spin at around 2KHz and have tiny, tiny metal balls running in ABS races. The balance problem may also hasten the departure of other blades, which will likely jam the fan and prevent it turning at all. If you leave the lappie alone for even a moment, turn it off until you have a new fan installed!

                      "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

                      S Offline
                      S Offline
                      Stuart Dootson
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      A bit like [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzq519I5bhs)...

                      Java, Basic, who cares - it's all a bunch of tree-hugging hippy cr*p

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                      • P Peter_in_2780

                        This, my 15yo "social" laptop, spends much of its run time on soft surfaces, such as laps. As a consequence, I need to regularly open it up and pull the dust bunnies out of its airways. (I run a top bar temp monitor, so I can see when it's not breathing too well.) This morning I got to it. Of all the machines I've had to clean, it's among the most accessible. Unclip battery, 3 captive screws and 4 sliding clips to remove the keyboard. Pry up the "switch cover" above the keyboard. 2 more screws and the fan is out. As expected, major dust bunny almost blocking the airflow from fan into heatsink fins. Vacuum cleaner made short work of that. Brushed out the fan as best I could without disassembling it, decided to finish with the vacuum. Applied to outlet area, fan spins up to "normal" sort of revs. Vacuum applied to fan input face, fan sounds ready for takeoff. Sure enough, a clatter, and I now have an (n-1)-bladed fan. :-O Still appears to work, doesn't sound any different, and the CPU temp is about 15C lower. Might not survive too many repeats of that adventure, though.

                        Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

                        S Offline
                        S Offline
                        Single Step Debugger
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Peter_in_2780 wrote:

                        "social" laptop

                        Yeah, let's call it that. :-D

                        Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.

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                        • P Peter_in_2780

                          This, my 15yo "social" laptop, spends much of its run time on soft surfaces, such as laps. As a consequence, I need to regularly open it up and pull the dust bunnies out of its airways. (I run a top bar temp monitor, so I can see when it's not breathing too well.) This morning I got to it. Of all the machines I've had to clean, it's among the most accessible. Unclip battery, 3 captive screws and 4 sliding clips to remove the keyboard. Pry up the "switch cover" above the keyboard. 2 more screws and the fan is out. As expected, major dust bunny almost blocking the airflow from fan into heatsink fins. Vacuum cleaner made short work of that. Brushed out the fan as best I could without disassembling it, decided to finish with the vacuum. Applied to outlet area, fan spins up to "normal" sort of revs. Vacuum applied to fan input face, fan sounds ready for takeoff. Sure enough, a clatter, and I now have an (n-1)-bladed fan. :-O Still appears to work, doesn't sound any different, and the CPU temp is about 15C lower. Might not survive too many repeats of that adventure, though.

                          Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

                          B Offline
                          B Offline
                          BillWoodruff
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          Very strange: why is it "on dusty laps" so much that it needs surgery ? Buy a desk, or workstand that covers the lap ?

                          «The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled» Plutarch

                          S 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • P Peter_in_2780

                            This, my 15yo "social" laptop, spends much of its run time on soft surfaces, such as laps. As a consequence, I need to regularly open it up and pull the dust bunnies out of its airways. (I run a top bar temp monitor, so I can see when it's not breathing too well.) This morning I got to it. Of all the machines I've had to clean, it's among the most accessible. Unclip battery, 3 captive screws and 4 sliding clips to remove the keyboard. Pry up the "switch cover" above the keyboard. 2 more screws and the fan is out. As expected, major dust bunny almost blocking the airflow from fan into heatsink fins. Vacuum cleaner made short work of that. Brushed out the fan as best I could without disassembling it, decided to finish with the vacuum. Applied to outlet area, fan spins up to "normal" sort of revs. Vacuum applied to fan input face, fan sounds ready for takeoff. Sure enough, a clatter, and I now have an (n-1)-bladed fan. :-O Still appears to work, doesn't sound any different, and the CPU temp is about 15C lower. Might not survive too many repeats of that adventure, though.

                            Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

                            R Offline
                            R Offline
                            Rage
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            My laptop vendor gave me the hint that apparently the Eco program in the dish washer does work to remove dust, just make sure you leave the screen open and place it in the lower basket.

                            Do not escape reality : improve reality !

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                            • P Peter_in_2780

                              This, my 15yo "social" laptop, spends much of its run time on soft surfaces, such as laps. As a consequence, I need to regularly open it up and pull the dust bunnies out of its airways. (I run a top bar temp monitor, so I can see when it's not breathing too well.) This morning I got to it. Of all the machines I've had to clean, it's among the most accessible. Unclip battery, 3 captive screws and 4 sliding clips to remove the keyboard. Pry up the "switch cover" above the keyboard. 2 more screws and the fan is out. As expected, major dust bunny almost blocking the airflow from fan into heatsink fins. Vacuum cleaner made short work of that. Brushed out the fan as best I could without disassembling it, decided to finish with the vacuum. Applied to outlet area, fan spins up to "normal" sort of revs. Vacuum applied to fan input face, fan sounds ready for takeoff. Sure enough, a clatter, and I now have an (n-1)-bladed fan. :-O Still appears to work, doesn't sound any different, and the CPU temp is about 15C lower. Might not survive too many repeats of that adventure, though.

                              Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

                              D Offline
                              D Offline
                              DerekT P
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              Well, you're "running" it in reverse and it won't have been designed for that. But if the motor has permanent magnets, you're also generating current by blow-running it at any significant speed. The fan may survive over-speed, but the electronics it's connected to - even/especially if the machine is powered off, may not. :doh:

                              Telegraph marker posts ... nothing to do with IT Phasmid email discussion group ... also nothing to do with IT Beekeeping and honey site ... still nothing to do with IT

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                              • P Peter_in_2780

                                This, my 15yo "social" laptop, spends much of its run time on soft surfaces, such as laps. As a consequence, I need to regularly open it up and pull the dust bunnies out of its airways. (I run a top bar temp monitor, so I can see when it's not breathing too well.) This morning I got to it. Of all the machines I've had to clean, it's among the most accessible. Unclip battery, 3 captive screws and 4 sliding clips to remove the keyboard. Pry up the "switch cover" above the keyboard. 2 more screws and the fan is out. As expected, major dust bunny almost blocking the airflow from fan into heatsink fins. Vacuum cleaner made short work of that. Brushed out the fan as best I could without disassembling it, decided to finish with the vacuum. Applied to outlet area, fan spins up to "normal" sort of revs. Vacuum applied to fan input face, fan sounds ready for takeoff. Sure enough, a clatter, and I now have an (n-1)-bladed fan. :-O Still appears to work, doesn't sound any different, and the CPU temp is about 15C lower. Might not survive too many repeats of that adventure, though.

                                Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

                                R Offline
                                R Offline
                                Rick York
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                I will echo what Bill wrote. It is a good idea to get a little lap pad for the computer to sit on when not on a desk. That insures the fans are unobstructed so they can do their job. Here are the products Amazon has : Amazon Laptop Desk[^]

                                "They have a consciousness, they have a life, they have a soul! Damn you! Let the rabbits wear glasses! Save our brothers! Can I get an amen?"

                                J 1 Reply Last reply
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                                • B BillWoodruff

                                  Very strange: why is it "on dusty laps" so much that it needs surgery ? Buy a desk, or workstand that covers the lap ?

                                  «The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled» Plutarch

                                  S Offline
                                  S Offline
                                  Single Step Debugger
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  I bought these lap desks for the entire family, and we are verry happy with them: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N9JMSW6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1[^]

                                  Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.

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                                  • P Peter_in_2780

                                    With a vacuum, you have a reasonable chance of knowing where the debris winds up. With canned air, it goes into the most inaccessible recesses...

                                    Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

                                    J Offline
                                    J Offline
                                    jmaida
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    use both. either one can move dust in wrong places. main thing is keep the dust from accumulating. Heat is number one enemy of my computers. Have to replace a laptop because of poor cooling because of dust. learned my lesson

                                    "A little time, a little trouble, your better day" Badfinger

                                    1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • R Rick York

                                      I will echo what Bill wrote. It is a good idea to get a little lap pad for the computer to sit on when not on a desk. That insures the fans are unobstructed so they can do their job. Here are the products Amazon has : Amazon Laptop Desk[^]

                                      "They have a consciousness, they have a life, they have a soul! Damn you! Let the rabbits wear glasses! Save our brothers! Can I get an amen?"

                                      J Offline
                                      J Offline
                                      jmaida
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      those work for laptops. have feet and some little fans.

                                      "A little time, a little trouble, your better day" Badfinger

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                                      • P Peter_in_2780

                                        This, my 15yo "social" laptop, spends much of its run time on soft surfaces, such as laps. As a consequence, I need to regularly open it up and pull the dust bunnies out of its airways. (I run a top bar temp monitor, so I can see when it's not breathing too well.) This morning I got to it. Of all the machines I've had to clean, it's among the most accessible. Unclip battery, 3 captive screws and 4 sliding clips to remove the keyboard. Pry up the "switch cover" above the keyboard. 2 more screws and the fan is out. As expected, major dust bunny almost blocking the airflow from fan into heatsink fins. Vacuum cleaner made short work of that. Brushed out the fan as best I could without disassembling it, decided to finish with the vacuum. Applied to outlet area, fan spins up to "normal" sort of revs. Vacuum applied to fan input face, fan sounds ready for takeoff. Sure enough, a clatter, and I now have an (n-1)-bladed fan. :-O Still appears to work, doesn't sound any different, and the CPU temp is about 15C lower. Might not survive too many repeats of that adventure, though.

                                        Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

                                        L Offline
                                        L Offline
                                        Lost User
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        I do not own a laptop and my PC has no fans , but would it make sense to have dust collecting hardware EASY accessible ?

                                        So the high tech is not so high....

                                        Out laundry dryer collect junk and there are no screws to remove to get the filter out ....

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                                        • P Peter_in_2780

                                          This, my 15yo "social" laptop, spends much of its run time on soft surfaces, such as laps. As a consequence, I need to regularly open it up and pull the dust bunnies out of its airways. (I run a top bar temp monitor, so I can see when it's not breathing too well.) This morning I got to it. Of all the machines I've had to clean, it's among the most accessible. Unclip battery, 3 captive screws and 4 sliding clips to remove the keyboard. Pry up the "switch cover" above the keyboard. 2 more screws and the fan is out. As expected, major dust bunny almost blocking the airflow from fan into heatsink fins. Vacuum cleaner made short work of that. Brushed out the fan as best I could without disassembling it, decided to finish with the vacuum. Applied to outlet area, fan spins up to "normal" sort of revs. Vacuum applied to fan input face, fan sounds ready for takeoff. Sure enough, a clatter, and I now have an (n-1)-bladed fan. :-O Still appears to work, doesn't sound any different, and the CPU temp is about 15C lower. Might not survive too many repeats of that adventure, though.

                                          Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012

                                          P Offline
                                          P Offline
                                          Paul Sanders the other one
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          I had the heatsink work partially loose on my desktop, and as a result the CPU temperature rose to around 100C. But I reseated the heatsink and it's still soldiering on, tough old birds, these chips.

                                          Paul Sanders. If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter - Blaise Pascal. Some of my best work is in the undo buffer.

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