Fan in laptop dead: fix or replace?

CheapskateQueen on 18/09/2017 - 22:44

I have a basic HP laptop that's like 5 years old now; https://www.cnet.com/au/products/hp-pavilion-dm4-beats-editi…

It's been overheating for ages and the fan has just died. Actually it was overheating a few years ago, got it fixed and it did the same thing. Didn't use it for 3 years and pulled it out for use this year.

I don't have a desktop and want a laptop for my life admin, and downloading.

Is it worth fixing or should i just buy a new basic one? Anyone know whether this issue is likely to be a repeat offender?

Just been bleeding money recently so really want to avoid yet another big expense if i can.

Computing

Comments

  • dcep on 18/09/2017 - 23:07
    +5

    open it up and replace the fan yourself (requires retrofitting if using generic fan … double sided tape + wiring back the original connector)

    else quick fix will be getting a $15 huge ass 200mm laptop cooler underneath + combo with laptop side usb exhaust fan $8

  • joungs on 19/09/2017 - 00:46
    +1

    Yep just replace the fan yourself. Look up YouTube tutorials for similar/same models and buy the fan online.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/09/2017 - 01:46

    Definitely replace the fan, it is a simple task. If you can find someone who knows what they are doing,a thermal paste does wonders for a laptop that shutsdown due to overheating. Installing third party software to monitor temp and control fans can help you use it carefully until its dead or no longer able to handle the job.

  • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 07:06

    Replacing the fan is not simple as the others are stating. Btw, usually the fan needs cleaning of dust and thermal clean/re-paste.

    A complete disassembly of the laptop is required.

    Have you ever opened up a laptop before?

    It is very procedural and if you make a mistake, can you break the plastic covering .. etc .. and cannot put it back together correctly.

    Does it still turn on (e.g. do you see the HP logo) and then shut down after a while or is it completely blank screen and you hear the fan and see the laptop activity lights (power, HDD)?

    If there is no screen .. then possibly the m/b or GPU is cooked hence take the HDD out and bin it.

    You can also connect a HDMI to it and out to a monitor to see if it still displays.

    Cheers

    • ESEMCE on 19/09/2017 - 07:52
      -2

      Replacing a laptop fan doesn't need thermal paste.. this is not a desktop OEM Heatsink/fan unit. it's a little blower pushing fresh air over the inbuilt heatpipe/heatsink.

      • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 07:57

        Usually, when you replace/clean a fan, you remove the heatsink (as the fan is attached to it) and clean and reapply the thermal paste.

        Normally a fan is screwed on the heatsink (CPU & GPU) combined and to remove the fan (depending on the positioning of the screw) the Heat sink has to be removed

        This is common sense. There is no point pulling the laptop apart and then only replacing/cleaning the fan.

        The fans hardly die. They get clogged with dust over the years.

        The dust in the fan is not the only culprit that can cause overheating.

        Normally, over time the thermal paste gets hard/worn and the CPU thermal heat protection shuts the laptop off abruptly due to overheating coupled with fan that gets clogged.

        Have you replaced the fan only and what laptop model?

        • ESEMCE on 19/09/2017 - 08:03
          -2

          Usually, when you replace/clean a fan, you remove the heatsink

          On a desktop yes.. on a laptop no, the fact you don't know this identifies that you've never replaced a laptop fan or likely even looked inside a laptop case.

          Laptop heatsinks are completely different to a desktop heatsink, not even remotely comparable in shape, design, size or location. The fan is completely separate to the heatsink and the heatsink is invariably distant to the CPU, linked by a "heatpipe".

          I have not replaced my laptop fan, but I have reseated it with some vibration insuation and I've thermally tied the heatsink and heatpipe to my magnesium case with copper foil to essentially make my laptop body an extra heatsink. As a result my fan only ever comes on under prolonged high loads.
          Makes it a little toasty on the left knee though!

          Agreed on the thermal paste ageing… but OP has identified the fan not functioning…

        • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 08:06
          +1

          @scubacoles:

          "the fact you don't know this identifies that you've never replaced a laptop fan or likely even looked inside a laptop case."

          You have no idea.

          I have replaced, many fans, motherboards and LCD/LED's on many brands of laptops.

          As I mentioned. It is common sense to replace the thermal paste.

          The OP claims that the laptop is 5 years old.

          So you're telling me that you would only replace the fan and that's it????

          Are you still doing this role?

        • ESEMCE on 19/09/2017 - 08:56

          @vinni9284:
          You're changing the topic… you do not require removal of the heatsink to replace a laptop fan.. (I am more than happy to be proven wrong on this with current day examples…)

          To simplify the job, yes I would just replace the fan. It's easy to do with basic skills and tools. There is a very low chance that ignoring the thermal paste will result in the CPU overheating terminally before something else gives up the ghost, by which time, hopefully OP is in a better position to just upgrade outright.

          Interestingly you've gone from warning about the dangers and difficulties of unscrewing the back of a laptop in your first post to strongly recommending the OP casually remove the heatsink assembly so he can clean and replace the thermal paste/pad, which is FAR more intricate and "dangerous" than unscrewing the case!

          If I was paying someone to do the job, sure I would expect them to do those little extras that take only an extra 5 minutes to complete while the case is open but require tools and experience to implement correctly. In this case, unless OP has the tools and experience (unlikely given the question), it's an added complication that is not 100% required.

        • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 09:01

          @scubacoles:

          If you watching the instructional youtube video that my negging friend @myusername posted, a full disassembly of the laptop is required.

          I am suggesting (as a convenience and the laptop is 5 years old going by the OP's comment) that I would replace the thermal paste whilst the laptop is pulled apart.

          Usually, it is only 4 x screws that hold the Heatsink to the CPU, unscrew it, clean the old paste and reapply/reassemble. That's it.

          I have done this many times before.

          It is a suggestion however it is not mandatory.

          However I would call that common sense.

          That's me.

          If you don't agree.. that is fine

          Cheers

        • ESEMCE on 19/09/2017 - 09:13

          @vinni9284:
          I do agree that this machine is a biatch to disassemble from a quick scan through that video just to get access to replace the fan.
          I would do everything possible to do while it was open after going through that process…

          BUT for someone who has never opened a machine before, let alone fiddled with thermal paste, it's an added stress point and potential for failure they may want to bypass. Just fix the problem and hopefully put everything back together again without having too many leftover screws!

          I remember the first time I reseated a CPU and I was stressing big time grounded to multiple points of my body with 3 mates all watching and stressing around me, cause we all knew we didn't have the coin to cover a stuffup… and that was on a desktop!
          Since then, largely due to being financially secure enough to know that if I bugger up I can afford a replacement part (or even machine), as well as having had that and subsequent successful experiences, I am far more relaxed, don't really bother with grounding at all and it's all just a matter of getting the job done quickly.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/09/2017 - 09:18
          +2

          @scubacoles: in this specific model to replace a fan you need to fully disassemble the laptop and take the motherboard assembly out. You can not simplify the job. Someone with no experience should not attempt to do it — or should be aware that it may take a lot of time and patience to succeed. At the same time if someone goes ahead and decides to replace the fan, decision not to repaste the heatsink is plain silly.

          The original thermal paste in dm4 Beats Edition (and most other laptops) is grey, thick thermal pad. It is used only because it simplifies mass manufacturing process. Many tests proved it to have very poor cooling performance which deteriorates with time. Not improving the cooling performance of your laptop once your motherboard is already removed is a strange decision (I never heard such advice before).

        • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 09:20

          @scubacoles:

          It is easy to replace the thermal paste whilst you have pulled it apart.

          Normally laptop cpus are secure and have to twist the HSF assembly rather than lift it.

          Yes, sometimes the CPU can detach from the ZIF socket. But many are now BGA

          However you are going by your experiences of a desktop ZIF socket which is different.

          Going by your experience, it is either an older intel or newer AMD cpu.

          I understand your concerns.

          Btw, in my introductory comment, I have asked the OP if they have ever worked on a laptop before and mentioned it is difficult and not easy as some say it takes 10 mins.

          So basically as precautionary question from the start.

          But the moral of the story is, the OP should seek and experienced technician and not attempt if they have no idea.

          You tube makes it look way easier than it is.

          Cheers

        • Mikinoz on 19/09/2017 - 09:23

          @scubacoles: Just for clarity as I didn't see your admission, yes you do need thermal paste or a thermal pad on laptops. Generally on both GPU and CPU

          Having worked for IBM, Toshiba and others its more the norm than the exception. You both obviously have experience replacing parts. I wouldn't say applying paste or a pad is a stress point. If you watch the youtube videos first it gives you an idea, if that makes you feel uncomfortable get someone else to do it for you.

        • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 09:28

          @Occam Razor:

          "decision not to repaste the heatsink is plain silly."

          Thank you once again!

          At last! Someone on the same page!

        • ESEMCE on 19/09/2017 - 11:08

          @Mikinoz:
          Show me where I stated or even implied this and I'll happily admit I am wrong.

        • Mikinoz on 19/09/2017 - 11:27

          @scubacoles: That would be your first reply

        • ESEMCE on 19/09/2017 - 11:33

          @Mikinoz:

          Replacing a laptop fan doesn't need thermal paste.

          I stand by that statement.. the fan is a completely separate unit to the heatsink..
          You can replace the fan and never touch the heatsink in the process, let alone touch the thermal pad/paste.

        • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 11:37

          @scubacoles:

          When you change the oil of a car, would you replace the oil filter as you don't have to? (Assuming the Kms aren't too high)

          Or

          When you change the water pump of a car that has a Cam Belt that runs through it .. would you replace the Cam belt whilst at the water pump?

          My point is that the large effort of disassembly warrants an additional easy task of repasting whilst at that sequence.

          Cheers

        • ESEMCE on 19/09/2017 - 11:43

          @vinni9284:

          Most likely.. but it's not NEEDED and I wouldn't attempt it without the right tools..

          I corrected your incorrect or at least poorly worded statement..

          "usually the fan needs cleaning of dust and thermal clean/re-paste"

          That's all.

        • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 11:45

          @scubacoles:

          Sorry, reading your earlier messages, I did ask you if you have ever worked on a laptop before.

          So to clarify, you have worked on a desktop and not a laptop?

          Is that correct?

        • ESEMCE on 19/09/2017 - 12:07

          @vinni9284:

          I've done internal work on a number of my laptops over the years…
          3 Powerbooks (Powerbook 1400 HDD ribbon cable was damaged - hacked across the damaged lines using telephone wire, Powerbook G3 I can't even remember what I was doing in there! and Powerbook G4 Aluminium Bluetooth module replacement), 1 PC.

          Of those I've only touched the thermal areas on my current Toshiba Portege R830 home machine though which is what the below references, cause the fan was almost perpetually running and was annoying me with the noise (a known trait of this model). Which is what my earlier comment references.

          I have not replaced my laptop fan, but I have reseated it with some vibration insuation and I've thermally tied the heatsink and heatpipe to my magnesium case with copper foil to essentially make my laptop body an extra heatsink. As a result my fan only ever comes on under prolonged high loads.
          Makes it a little toasty on the left knee though!

          Of those, the Powerbook G3 was the worst to open up, closely followed by the G4 Aluminium… The Toshiba is an absolute dream! None even remotely close to the difficulty of this beast though!

        • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 12:13

          @scubacoles:

          That's great … but …

          Sorry mate, you've worked on some dinosaurs!

          The Apple is a little fiddly and agree that you have to be very careful working on those things.

          IMO, they are designed to self-destruct if a non-Apple 3rd party works on them.

          That's why Apple Genius quotes you more to fix then to replace LOL

          Cheers

        • ESEMCE on 19/09/2017 - 12:16

          @vinni9284:
          What can I say.. I'm not a teenager anymore!

          Wouldn't want to try opening an Apple Laptop now!

          The Powerbooks were actually OK.. Just required Keyboard removal as well as base removal.
          The fact I could repair a damaged ribbon cable with a few pieces of wire and some tricky placement shows how easy the 1400 was to work with.. (back before the days of eBaying a cheap 3rd party replacement)
          I sold that machine for a tidy profit too!

        • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 12:22

          @scubacoles:

          Well … me too LOL.

          However after you disclosing that you have worked predominately on earlier versions of Apple, and a newer Toshiba, I can now understand your mindset as the sequencing is different.

          Apple is slightly different to work on than say HP beats. The HP is more techie friendly.

          The Apple Macbooks has connecting ribbons everywhere and small connector pins that can do your head in.

          However the iMacs aren't too bad though. Just the GPU dies (common but not always) and you can remove the MXM card HSF without removing the m/b …. but … I still replace the thermal paste LOL
          Cheers

  • myusername on 19/09/2017 - 07:21
    -1

    fans in those things take about 10 mins to replace

    • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 07:29
      -1

      Every laptop model/type is different.

      Have you replaced the fan on this particular model and if so, did it take you 10 minutes?

      • myusername on 19/09/2017 - 08:01
        -1

        yeah i have in my last role i worked on, was for the dell, hp hardware replacement contract in my company.

        and yes each model is different but really only small variations.

        if the op has a quick search on youtube i'm sure they'll find an instructional video on how to replace the fan

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0gYJzID2vk

        • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 08:13

          As the video shows, a complete disassembly is required.

          .. and it doesn't take 10mins .. the video does but it is fast tracked.

  • myusername on 19/09/2017 - 08:13
    -1

    wow puts link to instructional video and gets negged.

    someone needs a hug today lololol

    • [Deactivated] on 19/09/2017 - 08:24

      Not so: gets negged for incorrect advice: full laptop disassembly is not a 10min job.

      • myusername on 19/09/2017 - 08:26
        -1

        as i said in my comment the op can look on youtube and find it.

        havent seen anyone else here actually offer good advice and link some instructional videos

        • [Deactivated] on 19/09/2017 - 08:46
          +1

          As someone already pointed it out: the video is fast tracked.
          I believe that there were some good responses with comprehensive advice.
          Instructional videos can be easily located with Google search.

      • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 08:32

        I got negged and agree with you LOL

        • myusername on 19/09/2017 - 08:46

          one could say you've been rather negative on this thread

        • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 08:47

          @myusername:

          Well .. really? In what way?

          At least I know where all the negs are coming from lol

        • myusername on 19/09/2017 - 08:48
          -1

          @vinni9284:
          it would appear you made an effort to attack anyone who offered assistance on this thread.

          please don't reply, only a troll would respond to this.

          enjoy your day

        • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 08:51

          @myusername:

          LOL. Well. Some say it's 10 minutes to replace the fan … I don't agree.
          Some say that thermal paste is not required … I don't agree.

          I have made my points clear and not attacking anybody.

          @scubacoles - insinuated I have not even worked on a laptop before lol

          So who is attacking who?

          I would advise that you follow your own advice

    • JimmyF on 19/09/2017 - 08:26
      +3

      most people here need a hug…

  • [Deactivated] on 19/09/2017 - 08:20
    +5

    I replaced the fan in HP Pavilion dm4 Beats Edition a year ago. A full disassembly is required, in the last steps you remove the motherboard. There are good YouTube videos of similar models. No idea why someone would say that this is easy or fast task - it is not, and such advice is plain incorrect and not helpful. Some previous experience and methodical, slow approach is advisable.

    The dm4 I worked with was damaged in transport, so I had to fix some parts, mainly the screen frame and the hinges. This laptop is very solidly and cleanly build inside, thus fixing the one you have is a good idea. Unfortunately this series runs a bit hot - not really overheating, but also not running cool. It is equipped with an additional discrete graphics (Radeon HD 7570M, which never was a particularly good GPU). Switching between Intel HD and the AMD GPUs is implemented poorly (the last BIOS version was F.0A released in 2013), thus the system runs a bit hot. I would also highly recommend re-pasting; Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut would be a good choice here.

    Hope this helps a bit, and good luck!

    • vinni9284 on 19/09/2017 - 08:25

      "I replaced the fan in HP Pavilion dm4 Beats Edition a year ago. A full disassembly is required, in the last steps you remove the motherboard. There are good YouTube videos of similar models. No idea why someone would say that this is easy or fast task - it is not, and such advice is plain incorrect and not helpful. Some previous experience and methodical, slow approach is advisable."

      Thank you. Good to see another person agrees with me :-)

      Whilst I'm there pulling it apart, and it is easy to do at that stage, I would clean and replace the thermal heatsink paste, considering it is a few years old.

      That's me anyway as some don't agree for some reason .. maybe it's too hard lol.

      Cheers

      • [Deactivated] on 19/09/2017 - 08:50
        +1

        It is good to keep this +/- system in perspective: forums are places where it is not necessary to understand things, or be experienced in order to argue about them.

    • CheapskateQueen on 19/09/2017 - 20:29

      Thanks for your detailed response! Won't do it myself because I'm utterly clueless but at least I know what the job entails.

      I'll look into getting it repasted too even though i have no idea what that is haha seems like if i get it fixed it'll have a few years left in it which is great.

      Oh and it definitely runs hot! Even when it was brand new i was surprised at how much heat it generated!

  • CheapskateQueen on 19/09/2017 - 20:25

    Thanks for the feedback guys.

    I'll try to find someone to do it for me. (Or buy an OBer lunch to fit it :) haha)

    I've never opened up a laptop and even if I did open it to take a peak id probably just destroy it somehow.

    The fan is probably filthy given its 5 years old and sat in my drawer for 2-3 years.

    It still runs atm but I get a warning now when i turn it on that the fans not working. Plus i use to hear it before and the bottom now actually burns.

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