Any advice on what to do when your computer fan makes a grinding noise? how do you find decent repairperson?

Question

My friend built us this desktop as a wedding present three years ago so we have no customer service per se. The fan has gotten really loud, like a car motor almost. I'd replace it myself if I knew how. Also, seems like it's connected to the powersource.

Help?! Do I try to fix this myself or take it to a shop? Know of any good shops in NYC? Will this just cost more than a new one?

Answer 1

Fan replacement is easy! Be brave and open the case; there's very little chance you will damage anything unless you have the dexterity of a gorilla.



1. Go find a medium phillips head screwdriver. Newer consumer cases usually have tool-free cases, but you'll need it anyway to remove the fan in a few minutes.

2. Remove the power cable first, along with every other cable (go ahead and draw a picture of the back of the computer and label every cable with tape if you are worried about hooking them all back up correctly).

3. Open the case. There are only a handful of machines that defy patient logic.

4. Find the fan. It usually has 2 to 4 screws holding its enclosure in, and one or two cables. Take a photo of exactly where each cable plugs into the power supply and/or motherboard if you believe you may forget. If the fan is PART OF the powersupply (where the power cord plugs in) then you'll need to replace the whole power supply.

5. Unplug the fan cables and unscrew the fan enclosure's 2 to 4 screws. Keep the screws safe because new fans don't always come with the right screws.

6. Bring the old fan to CompUSA or whereever and tell the punk in the red shirt you need to replace it. Neither get the cheapest NOR pay more than $25 for a replacement fan unless you know what you are doing. Make sure the new cables look like the old cables.

7. Put the new fan in whereever you took the old fan out. Plug in the new cables.

8. Close the case. Reconnect all monitor, speaker, keyboard, mouse, printer, network, USB cables. Reconnect power cable.

9. Restart and enjoy the tranquil quiet!

Answer 2

It really depends on which fan is going out, generally speaking there are about three choices for fans, 1) the fan on top of the heatsync 2) the case fan 3) Power Supply fan.



If it's cast number 2, the easiest of the three, you could probably replace that your self by ordering a new fan from a place like newegg.



If it's either of other two, I would take it to the Geeksquad, and have them replace the PSU if that's the case of the HeatSync fan. If you take it to geek squad it will probably run you anywhere from $60 to $90 not including parts. and the part cost can vary from $8-$75

Answer 3

It's really a very simple repair if you have a screwdriver and some very basic mechanical skills. It consists only of removing the old fan, buying a replacement (about $8) and popping it in there. A couple lead wires are all that attach the thing to the power supply.



If you're still hesitant, try Best Buy's Geek Squad. They're reasonable and can handle this sort of thing in a couple minutes.

Answer 4

Sometimes th fan blades can become out of alignment. Try bending them into place. If that doesn't work, buy a new one and swap it out

Answer 5

Try P.C.Doctors. I think they're nationwide.