The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Fan Cleaning

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by T-ravisty, Feb 28, 2012.

  1. T-ravisty

    T-ravisty Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    12
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Just wondering what's the best way to clean the fans?

    I've read threads that compressed air orks, but wouldn't that just push the dust further in the machine?

    Could I use something like metho on a lightly damped cloth? I don't want to use water at all... but I think that metho would leave less residue and evaporate quicker???

    noob question... Sorry all.
     
  2. KumquatWrath

    KumquatWrath Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    12
    Messages:
    324
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I think compressed air works the best, and it doesn't wet anything either. What I do, personally, is just open the back lid and hold down the fan with 1 finger gently while spraying the air through the fan. You can see the dust come out. Otherwise, you can teardown your laptop (slightly more work) and remove the fan completely to clean it that way.

    No experience with metho+damp cloth, so hopefully others have advice to offer.
     
  3. Dantheman221

    Dantheman221 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    42
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    16
    If you really wanna clean the fans well, you need to unscrew them. You can view a guide on the forums. Inap had a good one I used to get into my PC :) Mr.Watto's has a youtube video where he goes into his m15x. The fans are just 1 step before opening cpu and gpu. If you blow compressed air into the fans like kumquatwrath suggested, the dust stays in the case! I opened up my PC and I saw this mess!



    So yeah, you might wanna go in and clean it up :) I just used my fingers and a wet towel then I blew away the small parts :D
     
  4. Geekz

    Geekz Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    613
    Messages:
    974
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    brushing the dust while spraying is usually the best method to dislodge those dust balls.

    you could use some lint free earbuds to dislodge the dust.
     
  5. inap

    inap .........................

    Reputations:
    4,417
    Messages:
    7,827
    Likes Received:
    19
    Trophy Points:
    206
    yikes!!! that pic is scary!!!!
    yeah compressed air is the way to go.
    just open up the bottom panel, then use your fingers to hold the fan in place the spray the crap out of it. spray inside out then outside in. repeat if its really nasty.
     
  6. T-ravisty

    T-ravisty Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    12
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    GOOD GOD!!!! Soooo much dust!

    Well, I haven't had mine cleaned, ever, since last March when I got it... a whole year ago... I have been meaning to, but haven't really had the know how...

    Thanks for the help, guys.
    Will get to it this weekend and let you know how it goes.

    cheers.
     
  7. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    14,963
    Messages:
    5,671
    Likes Received:
    1,521
    Trophy Points:
    331
  8. T-ravisty

    T-ravisty Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    12
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Sweet as.
    Cheers. :)
     
  9. Indiran

    Indiran Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    60
    Messages:
    300
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
  10. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    2,844
    Messages:
    2,736
    Likes Received:
    900
    Trophy Points:
    131
    If the laptop is too bothersome to open or I don't have time I just jam the fan with a straightened paperclip and give it a nice blow with a compressor.

    With time, I open the laptop and use old tootbrush to clean the dust :D
     
  11. T-ravisty

    T-ravisty Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    12
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Would the paperclip damage the fan?
     
  12. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    2,844
    Messages:
    2,736
    Likes Received:
    900
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Well, you're not supposed to push it thru the fan blade but instead stop the fan from spinning when you blow the air. :D Spinning too fast (and reverse) is bad for the bearings.