Fujitsu S6000 with a noisy fan!

I've owned my Fujitsu S6231 for a little bit over a year and I have loved every second of using it. What's better than a perfect laptop size, weight, quiet fan, and just good overall performance? But recently, the fan has started to act up. Usually, the fan is on only during boot up, but now it seems as if it doesn't ever turn off! I generally use this computer a lot on campus (a UCI student) for program (ICS major). Furthermore, I don't use it for gaming and I'll occassionally watch a movie on it. I've already tried blowing compressed air through the fans, but it doesn't help.

Based on those facts, do you know if the error is caused by:

1. Dust in the fan (if so, is there a way to fix this without voiding warranty)
2. Spyware, adware, etc... that is chewing up system resources. (I'm usually pretty good at finding these things via the task manager, but I learn something new everyday)
3. Simply prolonged use? (I've heard laptops have a life of about 3 years)

I appretiate any response. Thanks NotebookReview members!

 

Well, without affecting warranty at all, you can blow compressed air through the fan. Of course, the dust will go into the machine instead of out of it without disassembly, but it may work. I have done this on several notebooks and they got much quieter after the air.
If the bearings are going out on the fan, the only long term fix is to replace the fan. Your choices are then:
1.) Fujtisu - ask for a quote
2.) Independent notebook service shop
3.) A geek friend/aquaintance that you would trust with disassembly.
For option #2 or #3, I would order the fan myself.

Yes, laptops have a 3+ year life expectancy, but you never know when any major or minor component will fail along the way. Fans can run normally for 5 years or 6 months. It is "luck of the draw" as to how long yours lasts. If you had used the notebook less, it might have had a longer life, or maybe a shorter life from being stopped and started. You just never know. Hardware will die and you can't predict when it will happen.

Andrew

 

Therefore, you're fairly sure its a dust issue. If you were to order a fan yourself, where would you find a fan that fits this particular laptop? Also, have you had experience yourself in opening up a laptop, more specifically the S6000 series? Thanks for the quick response! (went to the bathroom... came back... and there was 1 reply!)

 

I am not sure of anything without being there and seeing/hearing it myself. I am just saying that a blast or two of canned air is worth a shot. It would be unlikely to make things worse, although it is possible.
If I were to order a fan, I would try to get it direct from Fujitsu. Every fan has a noise rating, and moves a certain amount of air and runs on a certain amount of current. You can try to find an aftermarket, but it may be hit and miss. You may have to order several and pick the one that seems the best. If you get one from Fujitsu, you know that it will be one that was spec'd for this model. Yes, it will cost a lot more...guaranteed!
Perhaps someone who has replaces S series fans here will chime in with other advice?

Andrew

 

I bought my S6231 Jan 2nd 2005 and I've now run into this exact same problem the past 3 weeks. Must be a defect in the fan. First trouble I've had with the laptop.

I think I paid for the 3 yr warranty so I will double check that and send it back for repair if I can.

 

I bought my S6010 3 years ago and for the past 3 months the fan had started to sound very loud. I am trying to find a after market fan but I may need some help to install it. Does anybody know if there is a casing disassemble guide posted any where? That would really help. Thanks a lot.

 

Good idea but I would caution that it is not a surfire solution. The 6231 has been supplanted by the 6240, a model which A LOT of people compain about a more noisy and obstrusive fan.

Given that both model are basically using the same chassis, I would be shocked if Fujistu wouldn't simply send you the fan for the "updated" model ie 6240, which wouldn't resolve the problem to the satisfaction you are lookng for.

Good idea but ask first if these are sepced with same far or two different fans. If its same fan, then maybe its just the algorithm in the 6240 that is off.