deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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My dad has a Dell PC, which is fairly old but never been used for more than Word and the internet so is still doing well.
It hates hot weather, and the fans really kick in and it sounds like it's about to blow up. I bought an air duster from Maplins today to clear it out because it was completely full of dust, and I thought that could be the problem, however it's still doing the same thing.
My PC (home built) doesn't ever increase in speed. So I'm just wondering if 1) this is normal? 2) is it safe for prolonged use? i.e. is it doing its job like a car fan does?
I've assured dad it's fine, but just want to be sure 
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Cosmo
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Registered: 29th Mar 01
Location: Im the real one!
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More than likely doing its job as the extra natural heat is pushing up the cpu temp - hence kicking the fans into full gear.
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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The ECU also doesn't strictly have a fan  it has a heat sink, with like this plastic curved thing over it and a fan drawing the heat out. Obviously does the job otherwise Dell wouldn't be able to sell them but can't help think and fan right on the heat sink (like mine at most peoples) would be better.
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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It wouldn't be better or Dell, who build pc's wouldn't do it that way.
It's perfectly normal for them to speed up a bit when its warmer.
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Is it still ok for prolonged use spinning away?
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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Yes, it could spin away all its life at full speed if it had to.
If its spinning full speed ALL the time, even when it cools down a bit that could be a problem, otherwise theres no issues with it.
Even if it was a fault causing it to spin full speed it won't do the computer any harm.
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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It doesn't cool down and stop spinning fast like a car radiator fan but it doesn't start off fast.
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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If it doesn't start off fast there's about 99% chance it's working fine.
If there are any faults in he temperature sensing system they spin at full speed to prevent damaging the processor.
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Ben G
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Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
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mines a dell and the fan is loud as hell, so much so i'm getting a laptop. my dad's laptop never sounds like this and it does my head in!
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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How old is it and is it loud from as soon as you turn it on?
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Ian
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Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
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The ones in work do this, nothing to worry about. The biggest problem with the thermostatic stuff like this is when the fan doesn't come on. We've had them fail when they're dusty. They just overhead and shutdown. Nothing a clean doesn't sort out.
You may also want to relocate the computer somewhere with more ventilation?
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Tried this also, but it's a pretty small office. Good to know it's still doing its job properly etc 
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Doug
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Registered: 8th Oct 03
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Yeah my new home build has been audible these last few days due to the heat.
Will go back to silent when the weather breaks
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dannymccann
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Registered: 9th Aug 06
Location: Doddington, Lincolnshire
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If you are really worried just replace the heatsink and fan combo, as long as its out of warranty, can get some very good solutions for not very much these days. As everyone is saying though, its best for the fan to be running round like its on fire than not going round at all, thats when you have problems
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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I would replace the fan no problem, but don't like the idea of the heat sink 'cause then you're dealing directly with the processor etc.
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dannymccann
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Registered: 9th Aug 06
Location: Doddington, Lincolnshire
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Piece of piss In fact taking it off might resolve your problem, as the thermal paste Dell use may be a cheaper alternative to some thick shit like Arctic cooling paste. If you decide to take it off (normally not even any screws, just a couple of clips either side) clean the bottom of the heat sink by wiping off the paste, same on the processor then apply some more paste 2 or 3mm thick to the bottom of the heatsink and resit, might solve the issue
[Edited on 29-07-2008 by dannymccann]
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Easier said than done with me.
I put a new fan on a graphics card I had. Except when putting it in back in the case, I wasn't looking at where my hands where and snapped off a chip
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N3CRO
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Registered: 12th Apr 07
Location: Sandy, Bedfordshire
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Yeah, thats a good idea Danny. Had to do that myself with a PC I brought from PC World many years ago.
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dannymccann
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Registered: 9th Aug 06
Location: Doddington, Lincolnshire
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If I was closer Deano I would do it for you, honestly its like a 5 minute job, then again I know what im doing, same as someone on here telling me how to take an engine apart 
You mustve forced something real hard to snap it? Computer hardware can take an amazing beating sometimes. About a year ago I got sent a faulty motherboard and before sending it back i attacked it with a screwdriver (to make sure it was broken  ) and thought fuck it lets see what happens.
Its upstairs now, working perfectly
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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yeah, it was a fair amount of pressure.
Sold it on eBay with the new fan for £14 as spares or repairs
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N3CRO
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Registered: 12th Apr 07
Location: Sandy, Bedfordshire
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quote:
Originally posted by dannymccann
If I was closer Deano I would do it for you, honestly its like a 5 minute job, then again I know what im doing, same as someone on here telling me how to take an engine apart
You mustve forced something real hard to snap it? Computer hardware can take an amazing beating sometimes. About a year ago I got sent a faulty motherboard and before sending it back i attacked it with a screwdriver (to make sure it was broken ) and thought fuck it lets see what happens.
Its upstairs now, working perfectly
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