Update number two: machine

[arib]

I've been convinced that the CPU fan needs replacing, and right soon now.

Flush with the victory of my recent video card installation, I think "no problem, I can fix that!" So, I crack open the case, click on my flashlight, and go to work.

First, there's a little plug into the motherboard to power the fan. No problem, a few moments of fiddling and I pop that out.

Then, I examine the fan. Hmm... looks like it's on a track that would enable it to slide off, but the RAM's in the way. No problem, flip the little clip-switch thingies and pop out the RAM. Stick the RAM in a leftover static-free bag and keep it out of the way.

Hmm... there's a little metal clippy thing holding the fan in place via a metal doodad that runs under the "back" of the fan. (back being the part up against the motherboard.) So, I need to release the clip to pop out the doodad and slide loose the fan.

(I'm sure you're enjoying my excessively technical jargon. I am.)

So, maybe the switch slides that way... no.

Do I push it? No...

hmm, maybe if I move it... No...

After around half-an-hour of my fiddling and my brother and bluepapercup giving it a whirl (pardon the pun), we can't budge it.

So, today it's off to best Buy to throw myself upon their mercies, and pay through the nose for professional installation.

le sigh.

Comments

questions, questions

[daktaklakpak.livejournal.com]

what brand is the motherboard, and what is the CPU - or is this a corporate machine (like a Dell or a Gateway)? P4 processors usually have a nice lever system for locking down the heatsink/fan assembly thats easy to remove (if you know how), but the P3s and older AMD chips tend to have these metal bands that clipped over little plastic nubs on the CPU socket (which sounds somewhat like what you described). These older setups often require a significant amount of pressure with a screwdriver on the metal clip to release them - not a task for the faint of heart, since a slip can kill your system!

Suggestion - look at the assembly you currently have: It should be a heatsink (a metal block on top of the CPU with lots of fins sticking up), with a plastic-boxed fan attached to the top of it. Often times, the fan is attached by screws that go through the corners of the fan's plastic housing and bite into the fins of the heatsink below. It is usually possible to carfully remove those screws and lift the fan off of the rest of the heatsink, then replace it with just the fan portion of a new fan (say, one that you removed from your new CPU cooler). Attach the new fan by carfully replacing the screws that you removed from the old fan - don't use the new screws that came with the new cooler, you want to make sure that the screw is the right diameter for the spacing in the fins.

I'm afraid my explanation is making this sound more complicated than it really is. However, if you are still not comfortable, then by all means take it into a store and pay for the service. Make sure that they give you a decent warranty just in case. When you get the machine back home, take the cover off and make sure the new fan works properly when you turn the machine on, or better yet, ask them to show you at the shop before you take it home :)

Good luck!

Re: questions, questions

[arib.livejournal.com]

what brand is the motherboard, and what is the CPU - or is this a corporate machine (like a Dell or a Gateway)?

I don't remember the brand of motherboard, I *do* have that information somewhere, but it's on the computer, so I'm stuck. :-) It's not a branded computer, though. The processor's a P3 667mhz.

but the P3s and older AMD chips tend to have these metal bands that clipped over little plastic nubs on the CPU socket

Yes, that's it exactly. :-)

Suggestion - look at the assembly you currently have: It should be a heatsink (a metal block on top of the CPU with lots of fins sticking up), with a plastic-boxed fan attached to the top of it. Often times, the fan is attached by screws that go through the corners of the fan's plastic housing and bite into the fins of the heatsink below. It is usually possible to carfully remove those screws and lift the fan off of the rest of the heatsink, then replace it with just the fan portion of a new fan (say, one that you removed from your new CPU cooler). Attach the new fan by carfully replacing the screws that you removed from the old fan - don't use the new screws that came with the new cooler, you want to make sure that the screw is the right diameter for the spacing in the fins.

Another problem I've had is finding a fan that's the right size. If I could, I'd have no problem swapping fans the way you suggested. The CPU cooler in my box is *much* smaller than others I've seen in CompUSA and such, so I'm throwing myself upon the mercy of their competitors, and going to BestBuy. :-)

Thanks so much for your help, by the way.

Re: questions, questions

[daktaklakpak.livejournal.com]

My pleasure on helping :)

just FYI - one of the metal clips should be larger than the other on the cooler, and should have an extra hooky-bit coming out of the side of it. The way to remove the cooler is to insert the tip of a flat bladed screwdriver into this hooky bit and press down carefully - just enough to remove it from the plastic nub on the side of the CPU socket. Its a tricky operation, since you sometimes have to apply quite a bit of force, but you most definitely do not want the screwdriver to slip! Putting the new cooler on is about the same - you rest it in place, put the smaller clip in place with your fingers, and then push the larger clip down with the tip of the screwdriver till it snaps into place.

If you want to do some online shopping for coolers, check out http://www.3dcool.com . Keep in mind that this site is largely for overclockers, so many of there solutions are overkill for what you need :) Any cooler you find should list somewhere on the packaging what processors it works with - don't get a P4 cooler for your P3, it won't fit.