Korean Job Discussion Forums

[smithy]

So, for a long time, my trusty Compaq laptop has been whirring like nobody's business every time I give it a lot of work to do. It didn't like AVG virus scans, or converting music with iTunes, and it really didn't like burning DVDs. Whenever I gave it one of these tasks to do, the fan would get really, really loud and eventually the computer would cut out.

So, finally sick of this and armed with my friend's advice that some compressed air would help, I purchased some and sprayed it liberally around the vents and whatnot. When I turned my computer back on, it was silent. Hooray! It worked!

However, I have since realised that it is silent because the fan has, in fact, broken, and the computer now cuts out even more often because there is nothing there to cool it at all.

Is there any point in me getting this fixed? Is it fixable myself? I have no experience in taking laptops apart, so I'm fairly sure it's beyond me. How much would a repair cost roughly?

The computer is around 4 years old...am I better off just getting a new one?

[eamo]

Definitely better to get a new one. 4 years is ancient for a laptop.

But if you do want to get it fixed then the repair and used computer guys in the Sun-in Plaza building at Yongsan will swap out that fan for you for very little money.....

[Skippy]

I would say take it your local service center, but being Compaq it might be tricky as it is not a major brand here. Still sometimes the basic laptop fans are OEM. Maybe....

My advice is to find your local electronics/computer district (if you are in a big enough city) and find a general repair place. They might be able to open up and put in a new fan.

If you fan is unique you might have to order a new part.

[jackdaniels]

Good luck with finding a fan for a 4 year old laptop even at Sunin!
But depending on your model I may have some lying around!
The part itself won't be expensive but it's taking a 4 yr old laptop apart which can be tricky.

Plastics become weak, break apart easily and the mentioned overheating doesn't help.

[tigershark]

You should try taking it apart and checkIng out the fan. Might be gunked up. Recently happened with my old toshiba. Bought a new fan but old one prob would have still worked.

[thurst]

i'd go with tigershark's advice.

google your laptop and you should be able to find a guide on how to take it apart and get to the fan. assuming the compressed air didn't wreck your fan that should fix your prob.