Computer Fan Noise
I geek a lot of things, but, apparently, computers are not one fo them...
So, for those who do geek comps...
All of a sudden this morning, my laptop fan started making a "click-click-click-click" noise. However, it only seems to do this when it is on its HIGHEST setting and I hear nothing abnormal when it is running at a lower setting. Indeed, air is still coming out of the fan.
Does this mean that some bearings on my fan are wearing out? If this were the case, I would've expected the rapid clicking noise to persist to some degree or other even at lower settings.
Right now, the fan is functioning at a lower setting so I can't tell whether the rapid clicking will start back up again if the fan goes on high again. Is there any way to make the fan forcibly run higher so I can see whether the noise is persisting?
Also, how do I tell when my fan has totally died? Is there something that will come up on my screen in Windows 7 that will let me know for sure?
Could there be some other problem other than bearings wearing out? Might the issue eventually correct itself?
If I have to replace the fan, is it easy to do? Are fans universal or will I have to get a specific fan for my specific laptop (a Dell Studio Pro)? If I hae to get a specific branded part, how long are parts manufactured? My computer is now several years old and I'm wondering if I will still be able to obtain the particular part, if I need to.
Also, how long can a computer run with a dead fan without things getting dangerous?
Thanks.
So, for those who do geek comps...
All of a sudden this morning, my laptop fan started making a "click-click-click-click" noise. However, it only seems to do this when it is on its HIGHEST setting and I hear nothing abnormal when it is running at a lower setting. Indeed, air is still coming out of the fan.
Does this mean that some bearings on my fan are wearing out? If this were the case, I would've expected the rapid clicking noise to persist to some degree or other even at lower settings.
Right now, the fan is functioning at a lower setting so I can't tell whether the rapid clicking will start back up again if the fan goes on high again. Is there any way to make the fan forcibly run higher so I can see whether the noise is persisting?
Also, how do I tell when my fan has totally died? Is there something that will come up on my screen in Windows 7 that will let me know for sure?
Could there be some other problem other than bearings wearing out? Might the issue eventually correct itself?
If I have to replace the fan, is it easy to do? Are fans universal or will I have to get a specific fan for my specific laptop (a Dell Studio Pro)? If I hae to get a specific branded part, how long are parts manufactured? My computer is now several years old and I'm wondering if I will still be able to obtain the particular part, if I need to.
Also, how long can a computer run with a dead fan without things getting dangerous?
Thanks.