I'm sorry to keep posting and concluding them. But this is the main and last problem that I need to deal with. My laptop is constantly making a loud grindy/buzzy sound that also makes my laptop vibrate.. I finally managed to take it apart and clean all the dust inside the fan and all around it with some tissues. There was a lot of dust inside, but despite cleaning it all out, nothing has changed to make the issue any better. It's a fairly small fan and it is all cleaned out now. Could it be the heatsink, or the piece that holds the fan in place?
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Fan Problems?
- Thread starter Sonan
- Start date
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If the laptop is vibrating enough that it’s felt so easily than the source should be something that spins, like a CD, the hard drive or a fan.
And then, only if they are unbalanced.
With the back cover off, did you power up the laptop to isolate the source of the vibration?
And then, only if they are unbalanced.
With the back cover off, did you power up the laptop to isolate the source of the vibration?
That was the only idea I had in mind. The only problem is that I don't know how I can turn it on when I have taken the power button off- and unplugged everything connected to the motherboard..
Don’t disconnect anything.
Just take off the back cover and turn it on, from there you can see and hear all that you should need to.
Have a soft bristled rush hand to strop any fans and see if the noise goes away.
Or put your ear to the hard drive and CD unit and see if you can tell which one is the noise maker.
Just take off the back cover and turn it on, from there you can see and hear all that you should need to.
Have a soft bristled rush hand to strop any fans and see if the noise goes away.
Or put your ear to the hard drive and CD unit and see if you can tell which one is the noise maker.
I'll give that a try. So I to stop the running fan by sticking in a soft bristled brush?
I'm quite certain it is coming from the fan. I hear the sound much louder towards the left of the laptop where the fan is, as well as feelinh the vibrations stronger in that area, while nothing seems to be coming from the right of the device, where the hard drive is.
yep, slowly insert the brush into the blades and the fan will stop.
if the vibrations stop as well, and restart when the fan restarts, then there is the culprit.
if the vibrations stop as well, and restart when the fan restarts, then there is the culprit.
If that is the case, what should I do?
I don't know if I can reach or see the fan as the motherboard is on top of it, covering it completely..
this is where laptop work gets interesting....
the keyboard flicks out and you can access that fan from the top.
now, most laptops have 3 clips that you pry away from the plastic side molding, along the top of the keyboard.
Google your make/model and see if there is a YouTube video for it.
be careful once the keyboard is lose as the cable that connects it to the motherboard is held on by a clip that I have found can be very easily broken.
so either leave it connected or get help if you are unsure.
the keyboard flicks out and you can access that fan from the top.
now, most laptops have 3 clips that you pry away from the plastic side molding, along the top of the keyboard.
Google your make/model and see if there is a YouTube video for it.
be careful once the keyboard is lose as the cable that connects it to the motherboard is held on by a clip that I have found can be very easily broken.
so either leave it connected or get help if you are unsure.
I know how to take it apart. Like I mentioned, I already cleaned out the fan, but the issue still persists, which is why I need help.
My problem with testing the fan while the computer is running is that I can't reach or see it, as it is below the motherboard. I can take off the base enclosure, which is connected to the keyboard and touchpad, no problem. But after I take that off, what comes in the way of my sight of the fan, would be the motherboard.
Would it be a good idea to unplug everything except for the fan cable and power cable from the motherboard, lift the motherboard so that I can see the fan, and then run the laptop?
Wait.. underside base cover?? My mistake, I thought I had said something wrong there. I don't think my laptop has such a thing. Only access inside from the top of the laptop.
Just to be sure, do you know which model I am using? I mentioned it in a post last friday.
Just to be sure, do you know which model I am using? I mentioned it in a post last friday.
I mean a different forum. This one here - https://pchelpforum.net/t/removing-optical-drive-and-then-top-cover-from-base-enclosure.40576/
As stated in post #3 of that thread you have to undo those screws.
The back cover should then come off.
Have you tried that?
You should also check out some YouTube videos of that model to double check the procedure.
The back cover should then come off.
Have you tried that?
You should also check out some YouTube videos of that model to double check the procedure.
I never seen anything mention taking off the back cover in the manual or youtube video that I seen. Are you sure this version has a removable back cover? Is that what those screws are for?
I will try taking it off tomorrow. Is there a specific way to pull the back cover off? If it turns out that I can't remove it, what other option will there be to get to the fan to test it out?
I really want to resolve this as soon as possible. I really want to use my laptop again to get more things done and put my worries to rest.
Sorry for any confusion or lack of detail given. I appreciate all the help.
I will try taking it off tomorrow. Is there a specific way to pull the back cover off? If it turns out that I can't remove it, what other option will there be to get to the fan to test it out?
I really want to resolve this as soon as possible. I really want to use my laptop again to get more things done and put my worries to rest.
Sorry for any confusion or lack of detail given. I appreciate all the help.
they do exist but almost all laptops have a removable back cover.
but they change with each manufacturer and even with each new model.
so it's always best to check out Google for others who may have blazed a trail before you.
all those screws would certainly suggest to me that the back cover on that make is removable.
but they change with each manufacturer and even with each new model.
so it's always best to check out Google for others who may have blazed a trail before you.
all those screws would certainly suggest to me that the back cover on that make is removable.
I really need to know how to take it off.. After unscrewing everything, I had no idea how to pull it off. I'll send more pictures:
If I look closely, I can see a thin layer of something. I'm not sure if it is the back cover or if it's the edge of a sticker or something else. I can't find any opening.. When ever I look up my specific build for taking it apart, there isn't a single result, so I only have hope in getting help from a forum.
as I say, each model can have it's own unique way to be dismantled.
see if anything here helps; https://www.ifixit.com/Device/HP_Pavilion_15_P_Series
and yes, you may be right, the back cover may not come away, but all those screws are holding something in place.
which would suggest than that maybe it all comes out through the top once the keyboard/touchpad are removed.
does the front plastic molding pry apart?
I remember you mentioning earlier that you heard 'snapping' noises when pulling it apart last time, this probably should be avoided, but again, can't rule out that that just may be the way that unit is made.
at the end of the day, you have to know where to draw the line and seek professional help. this may be one of those times.
see if anything here helps; https://www.ifixit.com/Device/HP_Pavilion_15_P_Series
and yes, you may be right, the back cover may not come away, but all those screws are holding something in place.
which would suggest than that maybe it all comes out through the top once the keyboard/touchpad are removed.
does the front plastic molding pry apart?
I remember you mentioning earlier that you heard 'snapping' noises when pulling it apart last time, this probably should be avoided, but again, can't rule out that that just may be the way that unit is made.
at the end of the day, you have to know where to draw the line and seek professional help. this may be one of those times.
Ah, I just had a chance to look at that link (thanks to Rusty for the find) and yes, if the models match up then it all comes out through the top.
and you're going to have to remove all the innards to get to that fan - so unless you are confident with your skill set and a screwdriver, I'd suggest taking it slow and steady or handing it to someone higher in the food chain.
good luck.
and you're going to have to remove all the innards to get to that fan - so unless you are confident with your skill set and a screwdriver, I'd suggest taking it slow and steady or handing it to someone higher in the food chain.
good luck.
Very well.. I did mention at the start that I took everything out to reach the fan and clean it out. But as I said I have to unplug everything from the motherboard and take it out if I want access to the fan.
Those snapping sounds were not bad at all the last time I took it apart. After all, I did take the screw out that was in the optical drive, which was keeping me from taking off the base enclosure in the past.
Anyway, I know exactly how to take those things out from the top of the laptop. This takes me back to the question - How else can I access the fan while it is running at the same time?
Because I have to unplug a lot of things to reach the fan and I'm not sure if my laptop will run if I take so much out.
And again, should I try taking out the motherboard and leaving the fan cable and the power cable plugged in? I might have to put the lid on slightly so I can turn it on with the power button.
But I'm not sure if it is safe to hold the motherboard while my laptop is running.
Those snapping sounds were not bad at all the last time I took it apart. After all, I did take the screw out that was in the optical drive, which was keeping me from taking off the base enclosure in the past.
Anyway, I know exactly how to take those things out from the top of the laptop. This takes me back to the question - How else can I access the fan while it is running at the same time?
Because I have to unplug a lot of things to reach the fan and I'm not sure if my laptop will run if I take so much out.
And again, should I try taking out the motherboard and leaving the fan cable and the power cable plugged in? I might have to put the lid on slightly so I can turn it on with the power button.
But I'm not sure if it is safe to hold the motherboard while my laptop is running.
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