AERachael
07-18-2007, 06:28 PM
I wrote this post in response to BlackMirror's thread, Fan problem (http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7887). Most of the products I mention below are, in my opinion, inexpensive, ranging from $5 to $20 (USD).
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Cleaning the fans inside your computer case is important, as they often get filled with dust. My method of cleaning case fans is using compressed air like this (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2361952&cp=&sr=1&origkw=canned+air&kw=canned+air&parentPage=search)--you can find a can in most electronics stores like RadioShack. Some cans also come with a thin straw you can attach to the opening, which lets you better channel the air. You must, however, remember to hold the can upright to prevent chemicals from escaping the container.
Even if you're not replacing the fan, you may still want to remove it from inside the case so you can blow the dust outside, rather than everywhere else inside. There are probably screws near the sides of your case that can be removed to get inside the computer.
But before beginning, you'll need to know that we carry static electricity, which can damage computer parts. So whenever I'm working with a component inside a computer, I always use an anti-static wrist strap like this (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?parentPage=search&summary=summary&cp=&productId=2479151&accessories=accessories&kw=antistatic+wrist&techSpecs=techSpecs¤tTab=summary&custRatings=custRatings&sr=1&features=features&origkw=antistatic+wrist&support=support&tab=summary) one. I also work on my desk rather than the carpet floor my computer is on.
Grounding is the term that best represents my efforts. And there are two ways to ground yourself to a computer: use special grounding equipment or follow another approach I'll describe soon. One type of grounding equipment is an anti-static wrist strap, like the one I use. One end is an elastic band that goes around your wrist, and the other end is a clip that you connect to a metal part of your computer case. This equalizes the charge between you and your computer, which helps dissipate static electricity.
The other common way to ground yourself is to hold a metal part of the case with your bare hand before and while you're working. Also make sure you don't touch anything else around you.
Once you're properly grounded and you've made it inside, find that case fan. To remove it, you'll have to first disconnect it from its power source. Once I find a fan, something that helps me is to run my hand down the wire connected to it until I find what it's plugged in to--remember where that spot is.
The next step is to take it out. Fans are usually held in place by screws, so unscrew them.
After, install the new fan (or put the old one back in), but make sure you have the right size. For example, fans can be 80mm, 92mm, 120mm, or larger--you may have to measure the width across the sides to figure this out. The most common size is 80mm, like this (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?parentPage=search&pg=2&summary=summary&cp=&productId=2211708&accessories=accessories&kw=80mm&techSpecs=techSpecs¤tTab=summary&custRatings=custRatings&sr=1&features=features&origkw=80mm&support=support&tab=summary) fan. Moreover, is it an intake or an exhaust fan? There are usually arrows on the side of the fan, designating which direction the air flows. Also take note of the type of connector being used. A common type is the Molex 4-Pin connector, also pictured in the link above.
Next, screw the fan in place, but make sure it's in the proper direction, the way the old fan was. Then connect it to that power source you faithfully remembered from earlier.
Other things to consider during this enterprise are accessories for your fans. Like this (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?parentPage=search&pg=2&summary=summary&cp=&productId=2211686&accessories=accessories&kw=80mm&techSpecs=techSpecs¤tTab=techSpecs&custRatings=custRatings&sr=1&features=features&origkw=80mm&support=support&tab=summary) filter to help keep dust out or this (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2271469) noise dampening kit to help eliminate vibration and other annoying noise.
Whatever you decide to do, just make sure the computer is unplugged, before you begin your electrifying excursion into the case.
*
Cleaning the fans inside your computer case is important, as they often get filled with dust. My method of cleaning case fans is using compressed air like this (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2361952&cp=&sr=1&origkw=canned+air&kw=canned+air&parentPage=search)--you can find a can in most electronics stores like RadioShack. Some cans also come with a thin straw you can attach to the opening, which lets you better channel the air. You must, however, remember to hold the can upright to prevent chemicals from escaping the container.
Even if you're not replacing the fan, you may still want to remove it from inside the case so you can blow the dust outside, rather than everywhere else inside. There are probably screws near the sides of your case that can be removed to get inside the computer.
But before beginning, you'll need to know that we carry static electricity, which can damage computer parts. So whenever I'm working with a component inside a computer, I always use an anti-static wrist strap like this (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?parentPage=search&summary=summary&cp=&productId=2479151&accessories=accessories&kw=antistatic+wrist&techSpecs=techSpecs¤tTab=summary&custRatings=custRatings&sr=1&features=features&origkw=antistatic+wrist&support=support&tab=summary) one. I also work on my desk rather than the carpet floor my computer is on.
Grounding is the term that best represents my efforts. And there are two ways to ground yourself to a computer: use special grounding equipment or follow another approach I'll describe soon. One type of grounding equipment is an anti-static wrist strap, like the one I use. One end is an elastic band that goes around your wrist, and the other end is a clip that you connect to a metal part of your computer case. This equalizes the charge between you and your computer, which helps dissipate static electricity.
The other common way to ground yourself is to hold a metal part of the case with your bare hand before and while you're working. Also make sure you don't touch anything else around you.
Once you're properly grounded and you've made it inside, find that case fan. To remove it, you'll have to first disconnect it from its power source. Once I find a fan, something that helps me is to run my hand down the wire connected to it until I find what it's plugged in to--remember where that spot is.
The next step is to take it out. Fans are usually held in place by screws, so unscrew them.
After, install the new fan (or put the old one back in), but make sure you have the right size. For example, fans can be 80mm, 92mm, 120mm, or larger--you may have to measure the width across the sides to figure this out. The most common size is 80mm, like this (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?parentPage=search&pg=2&summary=summary&cp=&productId=2211708&accessories=accessories&kw=80mm&techSpecs=techSpecs¤tTab=summary&custRatings=custRatings&sr=1&features=features&origkw=80mm&support=support&tab=summary) fan. Moreover, is it an intake or an exhaust fan? There are usually arrows on the side of the fan, designating which direction the air flows. Also take note of the type of connector being used. A common type is the Molex 4-Pin connector, also pictured in the link above.
Next, screw the fan in place, but make sure it's in the proper direction, the way the old fan was. Then connect it to that power source you faithfully remembered from earlier.
Other things to consider during this enterprise are accessories for your fans. Like this (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?parentPage=search&pg=2&summary=summary&cp=&productId=2211686&accessories=accessories&kw=80mm&techSpecs=techSpecs¤tTab=techSpecs&custRatings=custRatings&sr=1&features=features&origkw=80mm&support=support&tab=summary) filter to help keep dust out or this (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2271469) noise dampening kit to help eliminate vibration and other annoying noise.
Whatever you decide to do, just make sure the computer is unplugged, before you begin your electrifying excursion into the case.