Urgent - How long can you run a laptop without the fan?

Touring Mars

Touring Mars

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My laptop had been making an odd buzzing noise since the weekend, but today it has been sounding really dodgy, and I discovered that it was the fan... it was making some really sick sounds as if it were about to disintegrate, taking the motherboard and my front teeth with it, so I had to switch off the computer. I've now disconnected the fan from the power supply and am backing up my data on to DVD-R's... my question is, how long can I run the laptop without the main fan safely?
 
That depends. It might clock itself down automatically before it overheats, but it may as well die. What CPU do you have?
 
I wasn't able to find out if it clocks down itself automatically. However, I found a freeware tool called 'Centrino hardware control' (check google), which you can underclock and undervolt your CPU with. That should give you enough time to back some important stuff up.

Unfortunately, I don't have much time at the moment, cause I'm at work. Sorry! :indiff:

Regards
the Interceptor
 
Thank you very much 👍

I'll try it if anything weird happens while I'm backing up now.

It seems to be working OK, atleast I have now successfully lifted all my personal files and data from the laptop :) Unfortunately, I'm having to use my workmate's computer (luckily he is away in Oxford today), and his music collection sucks BIG time :yuck:
 
Wouldn't it be best to slave the laptop HDD to another computer?

However, I don't know how you would do this with a Laptop HDD.
 
It just froze on me :indiff: (ironic that it should freeze due to overheating)

I've switched it off and will let it cool down before trying the Centrino hardware control stuff... I don't know how I'd get the laptop HDD out either - it seems it stays on long enough to back up one DVD-R worth of data...
 
Do you have the computer connected to a network?

It will be faster if you enable filesharing and transfer the files to another computer on the same network rather than burning on to DVD-R.
 
dougiemeats
Do you have the computer connected to a network?

It will be faster if you enable filesharing and transfer the files to another computer on the same network rather than burning on to DVD-R.
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👍 Thanks, that's a really good idea... I can set up a direct link between this PC and my laptop.... Cheers!
 
If you find it's overheating, do the tried and tested method of holding it up in front of a fan for a minute or 2. Works a treat :P
 
Get a 2.5inch to 3.5 inch ide convertor. around 10 bucks. saves time. Also just some stupid advice but unhook everything, put it in freezer for a hour and half,assemble it very quickly and turn on to see if you get the same problems.
 
Touring Mars
👍 Thanks, that's a really good idea... I can set up a direct link between this PC and my laptop.... Cheers!
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No problem! Hope you get everything sorted out 👍

pimp racer
Also just some stupid advice but unhook everything, put it in freezer for a hour and half,assemble it very quickly and turn on to see if you get the same problems.
Click to expand...

Condensation?
 
I know someone with the exact same laptop, and exact same problem.

I suggest getting a laptop cooler like the one Seanman posted.
 
TM, put the fan back on. The noise is bad bearings causing the blades to wobble a bit, but at least it's turning, right? Then air is moving and your CPU is being cooled. Annoying, but not as annoying as smoke.

Happens to desktop CPU fans all the time.
 
Cheers guys, I really appreciate the tips 👍 I'm off on holiday until Monday, so won't have to deal with it until then either way - which is just as well, because there is only so much of my workmate's mp3 collection a man can stand :crazy:
 

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