laptop noisy and burning smell

[wendyl]

My granddaughter's laptop has developed above - is it likely it can be fixed?

[Buenchico]

There are very few moving parts (which can create unwelcome noises) inside any computer. One of these is the fan which cools the processor. So, a combination of noise and a burning smell suggests a faulty fan.

If it's just the fan which needs fixing, it shouldn't be very expensive. (The fan only costs a few pounds. The main part of the cost will be labour but, even with a laptop, it should be a fairly simple job).

My concern, however, is about that 'burning smell'. If the absence of proper cooling means that the processor has been 'fried', replacing it could be expensive. It largely depends upon what type of processor the laptop uses. If it's a fairly basic laptop, the processor might cost around �50 (plus fitting). A top of the range laptop could use a processor costing well into three figures.

Chris

[Ethel]

I have a small suggestion - I am sure it is the fan as Chris has said, and hopefully the burning smell is from the dust inside the fan - similar to the smell you get from a vacuum cleaner when the dust gets too hot.

It is possible to access the fan to clean it - canned air is recommended, but it can be done with care with a soft clean small brush.

[wendyl]

The laptop is a quite basis acer notebook so worth checking the fan before doing anything else. I have one which is quite similar but would not know how to access the fan. Thanks to you both Chris and Ethel and is it possible one of you can tell me how to access the fan or do I need to ask someone more knowledgeable? (than me not you) I do not have the computer here but will pass any info on to my son (her Dad)

[Ethel]

I have an Acer and the manual on the hard drive is excellent - you should also have this user guide which will give you all the information you need.

[wendyl]

Thanks again Ethel I have the Users Guide booklet for travelmate 2420 series which is for mine purchased July 06. From my records it seems my granddaughter's purchased January 2006 is an Aspire 300 series for which I do not have a handbook here. The handbook has a diagram of access points for battery, hard disk etc but nothing more as far as I can see, I have also looked on the hard drive of my notebook but do not see anything about how to check the fan etc other than referral to dealer. Sorry if I am missing something here but I didn't find "all the information I need"

[Ethel]

My Acer 1680 has a small compartement on the back next to the battery compartment - this can be removed whth a suitable screwdriver.

Is your g/d's the same?

[Ethel]

And you should find the User guide by:

Start -all programs - AcerSystem - AcerSystem User Guide

If nothing else it will tell you exactly where the fan is.

[Ethel]

On the right of this page is a download that will monitor the fan to check that it is working properly.

I have no knowledge or experience of this download, but it may be worth a look:

http://www.laptopfans.co.uk/acer/travelmate/34 0.htm

[wendyl]

Very many thanks again Ethel My granddaughter is moving house with her mother today but spends the weekend with her Dad and hopefully he get the laptop and we can look into the problem further