Tech Question re greasing a CPU fan

[bellatrys]

(And please people, if you don't know, don't speculate! It doesn't help. Really.) All information may be contained on the internets, but finding it is another matter. My cooling fan abruptly started making that old-style loud computer fan noise, and that's not something I'm nostalgic for to say the least, plus I don't really want to have it burn

Comments

[voxwoman]

if the fan is making noise, it's because the bearings are likely on their way out (if not shot completely). I believe these things use grease instead of oil. However, a replacement fan is under 20 dollars, and I think you'd be better off just getting a new fan.

[voxwoman]

OK I found this on a forum... You want non-penetrating oil, like sewing machine oil rather than motor oil...

http://www.colug.net/pipermail/colug432/2006-February/002271.html

[voxwoman]

BTW, I googled on "cpu fan relubricating" which would keep one out of the oil-cooled computer area completely.

...

[bellatrys]

Okay, I still don't have a job. If I *absolutely have* to, I will get a new fan, but I'm trying to fix this short-term right now so that my chronic severe headaches which are exacerbated by noise don't make me unable to work on my freelance stuff, to try to pay the rent next month.

I also don't have a sewing machine, ergo no sewing machine oil around the house. I read that post. Is mineral oil an equivalent/acceptable substitute Y/N? This is what I'm trying to find out, not "Hey, you can use something else entirely!" or "I think it does, but I've never bothered to check - oops no it doesn't" like when I asked about Bryce exports and found out after wasting time on a humonguous download that no the 5.5 didn't either.

(This is why I never ask for directions on the road, either. It's not because I'm a "masculine" woman, it's because I never get clear answers!)

[tekanji]

I have nothing to add about your dilemma, but I just wanted to say: HOLY SHIT, MINERAL OIL COOLED COMPUTERS. That friggin ROCKS.