Laptop Computer mend - Clean Computer Fan

All laptop computer repairs are not created equal. The same computer fix can vary greatly from model to model.

This narrative will take you straight through the steps of how to fix a computer in order to keep it running cool. On some laptop models, it is very easy to take off and clean the Cpu fan, but on others you will need a skilled technician to do the job. Cleaning the computer fan, for example of an Acer Extensa, is very easy. To begin, you will need the following equipment:

Cpu Fan

1. Small screw driver
2. Can of compressed air
3. Tube of thermal paste

First, start by removing the five screws at the bottom of the laptop. Gradually pry up the cover. You might hear a exiguous popping noise during extraction but do not worry it should come out with no problem. Next you need to take off the five screws keeping down the heat sink and then the two screws that hold down the Cpu fan. Beware, there is a connector attached to the fan, you need to make sure you pull on the plastic connector to take off it, do not pull on the cable.

Second take off the heat sink from the computer and spray it with the compressed air to blow off any dust and dirt that has accumulated. Then take off the fan and do the same thing but make sure you hold the fan wheel in place when you blow it with the air. You do not want the fan to spin because the blades are delicate and they could get damaged.

Finally, the last step of this computer fix is to examine the heat sink to see if the thermal paste, which will be sitting on a small copper plate, has hardened and cracked. If the paste is still the consistency of toothpaste, it does not need to be replaced. If however it has hardened, take a credit card or some other thin plastic piece you can use to Gradually scrape off the hard material on both the heat sink you removed and the plate inside the computer. Do not use a knife or any other metal object to insure you do not scratch the copper surface. When you are ready to apply new paste, first wipe off the surfaces with a paper towel and then blow them off again with the compressed air. Put a exiguous dab of paste on the heat sink and spread it evenly and place the part back into the computer.

You are now ready to put the fan back with the two screws and do not forget to reattach the connector. Do not torque down on the screws, you do not want to warp the motherboard underneath by production the screws too tight. Also when you replace the back cover, work your way colse to in a star pattern while tightening the five screws, this will help to get an even fit all the way colse to the cover.

Please view our two videos that will take you step by step straight through this repair: laptop fan cleaning video one and laptop fan cleaning video two.

Laptop Computer mend - Clean Computer Fan